Chamomile tea induce labor

For Labor, Other Benefits, More

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

People have been passing along home remedies for inducing labor for as long as people have been having babies. Once you get near, or even past, your due date, you will probably have everyone from your best friend to perfect strangers in the grocery store suggesting ways you can induce labor. While many methods are harmless, if ineffective, there are some that can actually be dangerous. Chamomile tea is often suggested as an easy way to get your labor started. However, there is currently not enough scientific evidence to support that, and some healthcare providers recommend that pregnant women not take chamomile.

In 2013, a study was done in Iran on the effects of chamomile for inducing labor. In this study, 80 post-term women who had low-risk pregnancies were divided into two groups. One group of 40 was given 1,000 milligrams of chamomile every 8 hours for 1 week. The other group was given a placebo. After a week, 92.5% of the women in the chamomile group started having symptoms of labor. Only 62.5% of women in the placebo group had symptoms of labor.

However, a systematic review of studies done in 2019 recommended that herbal medicines, including chamomile, be discouraged until more evidence of its safety is available. This review found that chamomile use in the third trimester was linked to increased incidents of babies being born early, being shorter, and having a lower birth weight, although a different study did not show an increase in babies born with a low birth weight.

Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a daisy-like plant whose flowers are used in herbal medicine and tea. There are two types of chamomile, German and Roman. People have been using both types for a long time. Chamomile was considered an important herbal medicine in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Today, people use it for a variety of conditions, including upset stomach, anxiety, insomnia, and skin problems.

Since chamomile is one of the most ancient herbs around, it has been used and studied extensively for properties that may help many health conditions, including:

Anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing properties
Anticancer activity
Common cold
Cardiovascular conditions
Colic and diarrhea in children
Eczema
Gastrointestinal problems
Hemorrhoids
Boosting the immune system
Inflammatory diseases such as esophageal reflux, diverticulitis, and inflammatory skin problems
Mouth ulcers
Osteoporosis
Insomnia
Anxiety
Seizures
Diabetes
Sore throat
Vaginitis
Wound healing
Quality of life in people with cancer

A review of these studies found that chamomile may offer some therapeutic effects because of its phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are chemicals found in plants that contribute to a plant's color, taste, and smell. We are just starting to learn about them, but they may help fight heart disease and cancer. Terpenoids like the ones present in chamomile may help slow cancer cell growth and fight viruses. Chamomile also contains flavonoids, another phytochemical that may fight inflammation and tumor growth.

Chamomile may also help stimulate the immune system, improve cardiovascular conditions, and provide some level of protection against cancer. However, more research is needed to discover if the proper use of chamomile is safe and helpful for these conditions. And improper use of chamomile can be harmful.

Is Chamomile Tea Safe During Pregnancy?

There is not enough information to determine if the amount of chamomile normally used in tea is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Some healthcare providers advise you to avoid taking chamomile internally but think it is okay to use topically on your skin.

Since it has been associated with both miscarriage and premature labor, chamomile definitely should not be used in large or medicinal amounts during pregnancy without first talking with your doctor about its use.

Chamomile can cause adverse reactions, particularly in people who are allergic to ragweed or other members of the Asteraceae family. These reactions depend on how the chamomile was taken and can include:

Anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that can be deadly
Skin irritation
Stomach upset
Sneezing
Vomiting
Allergic eye infections from chamomile eye drops
Asthma
Diarrhea

Chamomile may also be unsafe to take with other medicines you may be on, including:

Blood thinners
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Salicylates like aspirin
Thrombolytic agents, which are medicines used to treat blood clots

Safety, Benefits & Side Effects

This caffeine-free beverage is generally considered safe for consumption in moderation.

Research-backed

MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us.

Chamomile tea is a refreshing herbal tea people consume to relax their bodies and mind. Besides being caffeine-free, it has certain bioactive compounds that can boost health over time, which is why you might want to consume chamomile tea during pregnancy.

But is chamomile tea safe for pregnant women and their babies? Knowing this is vital to avert the risks that chamomile tea might pose for expectant mothers and their unborn babies. So, keep reading as we tell you all about the safety of chamomile tea for pregnant women, including its possible health benefits and risks and precautions to observe when drinking it.

What Is Chamomile Tea?

Chamomile tea is made of flowers of two common herbs German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). The flowers are sun-dried, crumbled and then stored in an air-tight jar.

The crumbled flowers are added to boiling water to make the tea, which has been a traditional medicine for inflammation, immunity, insomnia, menstruation and gastrointestinal problems. Since the tea is made of flowers, it has a beautiful aroma that soothes both the body and the mind (1).

Is It Safe To Drink Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy?

Chamomile tea could be safe during pregnancy if you are having it in moderation. There are not many studies on the safety or efficacy of herbal teas, including chamomile tea, during pregnancy (2). However, it is included in the Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) category by the US FDA (3).

Point to consider

Chamomile may increase the tone of the uterus during pregnancy (9).

How Much Chamomile Tea Is Safe During Pregnancy?

Image: Shutterstock

Restrict your consumption to one cup a day. If you want to have it multiple times in a day, divide that one cup of tea into multiple portions and drink it through the day, or dilute the content by adding more water.

An occasional cup of chamomile tea could be good for you.

Benefits Of Drinking Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy

Let us see how it might help you (4) (5) (6):

1. Improves sleep quality

Having a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime soothes your nerves, and helps you sleep better. The sedative nature of the herb treats insomnia.

2. Boosts immunity

Chamomile tea improves immunity and thus helps fight infections. If you have a slight fever and a runny nose, a cup of freshly brewed tea would help.

3. Soothes muscular pain

Chamomile tea relieves muscle pains and spasms associated with gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders. It increases glycine levels in the body to provide relaxation to the muscles and nerves.

Things to know

Chamomile may be high in calcium and magnesium, which could have some anti-inflammatory effects on joints (10).

4. Cures mouth ulcers

Chamomile tea can be used as a mouthwash to treat the uncomfortable mouth ulcers and sores. Use strong tea or diluted tincture three to four times a day to rinse your mouth for relief from the ulcers.

5. Protects from cancers and heart diseases

Chamomile tea contains polyphenols that protect your heart and prevent any heart-related ailments. Its antioxidant properties lower the risk of cancers.

Related: Chest Pain During Pregnancy: Causes And Treatment

6. Treats indigestion and relieves morning sickness

Image: iStock

The anti-inflammatory nature of chamomile helps alleviate digestion problems such as constipation, gas and bloating. The fruit aroma and tantalizing flavor also soothe nausea and morning sickness.

Quick fact

Chamomile tea may also help manage heartburn and headaches during pregnancy (11).

In spite of these healthy reasons, you need to drink chamomile tea in moderation because it could have some side effects too.

Related: Vitamin B6 For Morning Sickness: Is It Safe During Pregnancy

Side Effects Of Drinking Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy

Image: iStock

You are likely to have the below effects on drinking the tea in excess amounts (7) (8).

Taking excess chamomile tea might increase the risk of a miscarriage. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this. Probably, the relaxing property of chamomile tea may induce uterine contractions leading to a miscarriage.
Chamomile tea may cause drowsiness because of its sedative nature. Therefore, do not take it in large quantities.
If you are allergic to flowers such as daisies, ragweed, asters, and chrysanthemums, then you might be allergic to chamomile as well, leading to skin rashes and bronchial constriction. However, this is a rare occurrence.
Chamomile might interact with anesthetic medications leading to adverse effects. Therefore, avoid drinking the tea before your C-section.
Various forms of chamomile extracts and supplements may also react with medications such as painkillers, sedatives and antimicrobial drugs which you might be taking during pregnancy. Therefore, talk to your doctor while drinking the tea.
Chamomile has blood-thinning properties. If you already have this problem, you might want to restrict the consumption of this tea.
If you love the aroma and taste of chamomile tea and do not want to give it a miss, then drink it but take some precautions.

Related: When Is C Section (Cesarean Section) Done? Its Types & Risks

Precautions To Take While Drinking Chamomile Tea

Image: Shutterstock

Here is what you can do:

Consult your healthcare provider before including it in your pregnancy diet.
You may ask the doctor about the safe quantity of chamomile tea you can drink daily.
Use the dried flower heads and not the leaves for making the tea. Leaves would taste bitter.
Buy the tea from a reliable brand to avoid harmful additives in it.

Brew the tea at home to have a fresh one every time.

Related: Indian Diet During Pregnancy - A Healthy Daily Diet Chart

How To Make Chamomile Tea At Home?

Follow these simple steps to steep a perfect cup of tea:

Boil one cup of water.
Transfer the boiling water into a mug, and add chamomile dried flower extract or tea bag.
Allow it to steep for five to ten minutes depending on how concentrated you want it to be. Cover the mug so that the aroma remains.
Strain the tea to remove the chamomile extract or remove the tea bag.
You might add a teaspoon of honey to enjoy the freshly brewed chamomile tea.

Next, we answer some commonly asked questions about chamomile during pregnancy.

1. Does chamomile tea help induce labor?

There is not enough research to prove that chamomile tea can induce labor. But drinking in excessive amounts can cause uterine contractions, which could lead to miscarriage or preterm labor.

2. What is the best time to drink chamomile tea during pregnancy?

You can have chamomile tea anytime from the first trimester to the third trimester but in moderate amounts.

While a cup of freshly made chamomile tea is refreshing on a tiring day, do not get tempted to drink multiple cups. Have it moderately while enjoying each sip of it.

3. Can you drink chamomile tea when trying to conceive?

According to a medical study, chamomile is considered unsafe during pregnancy, with possible severe perinatal outcomes (9).

Chamomile tea is a herbal beverage that you may enjoy during pregnancy. Due to its medicinal and healing properties, consuming chamomile tea during pregnancy may help you manage your morning sickness, improve immunity, and soothe muscular pain. However, extra care needs to be taken while consuming anything when pregnant. So, be careful not too drink too much of it, but stick to the recommended amount. Moreover, given there is a possibility of side effects, you should consult your ob/GYN before consuming anything to avoid complications.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Chamomile; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (2016)
2. Foods to avoid in pregnancy; NHS (2017)
3. Armando Gonzalez Stuart; Chamomile; Herbal Safety (2003-2018)
4. Janmejai K Srivastava et al.; Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future; Mol Med Report (2011)
5. Bret T. Howrey et al.; Chamomile Consumption and Mortality: A Prospective Study of Mexican Origin Older Adults; Gerontologist (2016)
6. Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita); UIC Heritage Garden3
7. Chandini Ravikumar; Review on Herbal Teas; Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (2014)
8. Lourdes Rodriguez-Fragoso et al.; Risks and Benefits of Commonly used Herbal Medicines in México; Toxicol Appl Pharmacol (2009)
9. Frequently Used Herbal Teas During Pregnancy – Short Update
10. Herbal Tea and Pregnancy; American Pregnancy Association
11. Herbal tea consumption during pregnancy; University of Wollongong

The following two tabs change content below.

Reviewer
Author

Chamomile tea during pregnancy: can I drink it?

Share on Pinterest

Go through any store and look for different teas on sale. But if you are pregnant, not all teas are safe to drink.

Chamomile is a type of herbal tea. You can sometimes enjoy a soothing cup of chamomile tea. But some doctors recommend limiting herbal tea consumption during pregnancy. Here is an overview of the health benefits and risks.

content

Can you drink chamomile tea during pregnancy?

There are two main types of tea: herbal and non-herbal. Non-herbal teas are made from the leaves of the tea plant. They contain caffeine. Even decaffeinated forms are low in caffeine.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women are generally advised to abstain or at least limit the amount of caffeine they consume each day. This is because a developing child cannot process caffeine in their system just like an adult.

This recommendation applies to any type of caffeine, not just the caffeine in tea. Caffeine is found in foods and drinks, including chocolate, coffee, and sodas. If you consume multiple sources of caffeine per day during pregnancy, you will increase the amount of caffeine in your body.

It is therefore important to be aware of all sources of caffeine.

The following categories include non-herbal teas that are high in caffeine:

black
green
Chinese black tea grade

Green tea can be a good choice. Be aware of your caffeine intake during pregnancy and continue to take caffeine in moderation.

What is herbal tea?

Herbal teas are prepared from various plant parts. They are made from the roots, berries and seeds of the plant. Real herbal teas naturally contain caffeine. Read the label to find out which teas you are unsure about.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not consider all herbal teas safe for pregnant women. This is mainly due to the types of herbs used and the amount of research the FDA has been able to do with pregnant women.

What are the benefits of chamomile tea?

Chamomile tea is similar to and associated with daisy. There is German or Roman chamomile. It has been used since ancient Egypt. The most commonly used is German chamomile.

For most people, drinking chamomile tea is good for health. These include a dose of antioxidant, hypnotic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Chamomile tea is known to have a calming effect and help prevent colds and other illnesses. Also, drinking tea of any kind can help keep your body hydrated.

However, many doctors are wary of pregnant women who drink herbal teas, including those with chamomile. This is simply because not enough research has been done to guarantee their safety.

Risks of drinking chamomile tea during pregnancy

Chamomile tea contains anti-inflammatory substances. They can be dangerous during pregnancy. It depends on your medical history, how much you consume, and other factors.

It's important to remember that not all herbal teas are the same, and there are some that doctors advise pregnant women to stay away from.

As with everything about your diet during pregnancy, talk about chamomile tea with your doctor. Some doctors may recommend limiting how much you drink, while others may choose not to drink at all.

You should also make sure you use commercially prepared chamomile tea if you choose to drink it during pregnancy. Industrially processed herbal teas use herbs from safe sources.

Can chamomile tea help induce labor?

You may have heard that chamomile tea can induce labor. But there is currently no medical evidence to support this.

There are some herbal teas that doctors warn about in early pregnancy. These include blue and black cohosh teas.

Is it safe to drink herbal teas during pregnancy?

Some herbal teas are considered safer for pregnant women than others. Red raspberry and nettle tea is used in many herbal teas. They are generally considered safe for pregnant women.

But during pregnancy, stay away from herbal teas that are sold for weight loss or dieting, or those that can be used as a laxative. Also, do not drink those that contain any nutritional supplements. This is because supplements can cause complications or interactions with other medications.

Be aware that even herbal teas labeled "tea for pregnancy" haven't received enough research to be considered completely safe during pregnancy. Ask your doctor before trying new teas.

Next Steps

There is not enough research on herbal teas and pregnancy to date. This means that the jury is still unsure whether it is safe to drink chamomile tea during pregnancy.

Always be careful and ask your doctor about drinking herbal teas. Many common teas can be a poor choice during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend safe prenatal drinks to keep you hydrated for the next nine months.