Is chamomile tea good for you when pregnant

Is It Safe to Drink?

Chamomile Tea While Pregnant: Is It Safe to Drink?

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Diana Wells on November 6, 2018

Walk through any grocery store and you’ll find a variety of teas for sale. But if you’re pregnant, not all teas are safe to drink.

Chamomile is a type of herbal tea. You might like to enjoy a soothing cup of chamomile tea on occasion. But some doctors recommend limiting your herbal tea consumption during pregnancy. Here’s a look at the health benefits and risks.

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

It’s generally recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women stay away from, or at least limit, the amount of caffeine that they consume each day. This is because a developing baby can’t process caffeine in their system as well as an adult.

This recommendation includes any kind of caffeine, and not only the caffeine in tea. There’s caffeine in foods and drinks including chocolate, coffee, and soda. If you consume more than one source of caffeine per day during your pregnancy, you’re increasing the amount of caffeine in your system.

Therefore, it’s important to be aware of all sources of caffeine.

The following categories include teas that are non-herbal and contain high amounts of caffeine:

black
green
oolong

Green tea might be a good choice. Be aware of caffeine intake when pregnant and keep intake to a moderate amount.

What is herbal tea?

Herbal teas are made from various parts of plants. They are made from a plant’s roots, berries, and seeds. True herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. Read the label to find out about any teas you aren’t sure of.

Not all herbal teas are considered safe for pregnant women by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is mostly because of the types of herbs used and the amount of studies that the FDA has been able to conduct with pregnant women.

Chamomile tea looks similar to and is related to the daisy. There is German or Roman chamomile. It has been used since the time of ancient Egypt. The one used most often is German chamomile.

For most people, drinking chamomile tea has health benefits. These include a dose of antioxidants, help with sleep, and anti-inflammatory properties.

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

Still, many doctors use caution in relation to pregnant women drinking herbal teas, including chamomile. This is simply because there haven’t been enough studies conducted to ensure their safety.

Chamomile tea contains anti-inflammatory agents. These may 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 those that doctors tell their pregnant patients to stay away from.

As with anything in your diet during pregnancy, discuss drinking chamomile tea with your doctor. Some doctors may suggest limiting the amount you drink, while others may prefer that you not drink it at all.

You also want to be sure to use commercially prepared chamomile tea if you choose to drink it during your pregnancy. Herbal teas that are commercially processed use herbs from safe sources.

You may have heard that chamomile tea can induce labor. But there isn’t currently any medical evidence to support this.

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

Some herbal teas are considered safer than others for pregnant women. Nettle tea is used in many herbal teas and is generally considered to be pregnancy-safe. While some midwives may advise drinking red raspberry leaf tea, there is no strong evidence of its benefits for pregnant women, and a 2019 study suggested it may have adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes.

During pregnancy, you should stay away from any herbal teas that are marketed for weight loss or dieting, or those that can be used as laxatives. Also, don’t drink those that contain any type of nutritional supplement. This is because the supplements can cause complications or interactions with other medications.

Keep in mind that even herbal teas labeled as “pregnancy teas” haven’t had enough studies done on them to be considered completely safe during pregnancy. Ask your doctor before trying out new types of tea.

To date, there haven’t been enough studies conducted on herbal teas and pregnancy. That means the jury is still out on whether drinking chamomile tea during pregnancy is safe.

Always use caution and ask your doctor about drinking herbal teas. Many common teas might be a poor choice when pregnant. Your doctor can recommend pregnancy-safe beverages for you to stay hydrated for the next nine months.

Last medically reviewed on November 6, 2018

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How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Drinking herbal tea during your pregnancy. (2018).
americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/herbal-tea/
Kennedy DA, et al. (2016). Safety classification of herbal medicines used in pregnancy in a multinational study. DOI:
10.1186/s12906-016-1079-z
Lindblad AJ, et al. (2016). Ginger for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
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Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy.
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20043844?pg=2
Thomson M, et al. (2014). Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: A meta-analysis.
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10.1186/1475-2891-13-20

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Nov 6, 2018

Written By

Diana Wells

Edited By

Phil Riches

Medically Reviewed By

Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Diana Wells on November 6, 2018

Is it Safe to Drink While Pregnant?

wellness

By Lindsay Champion

Published Sep 27, 2020

Before you got pregnant, you didn’t pay that much attention to nutrition labels. (Trans fat? What’s a trans fat?) But now that you’ve got a baby in tow, you don’t let anything near your body unless it’s been approved by your OB-GYN…or at least heavily Googled at 3 a.m.

One of the trickiest topics to maneuver? Herbal tea. Because the ingredients and strengths of herbal teas can vary depending on the manufacturer, and since there haven’t been many herbal tea studies conducted on pregnant women, there isn’t a lot of information out there about which herbal teas are safe to drink. But if you’re wondering whether or not it’s safe to keep drinking your nightly cup of chamomile, read on.

What Is Chamomile Tea, Anyway?

Chamomile tea is made by soaking dried chamomile flowers in hot water. The potency of the tea depends on the manufacturer and how long the tea is steeped. Chamomile contains flavonoids—naturally occurring plant pigments that are present in many nutritious fruits and veggies. Foods with flavonoids have a host of health benefits, including, according to promising research, the potential to reduce risk of heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Chamomile tea bags are sold at grocery stores, health food stores and drugstores across the country, and can also be purchased on Amazon. You can also make chamomile tea by soaking the dried flowers (also available online and at health food stores) directly in hot water.

Is Chamomile Tea Safe to Drink While Pregnant?

This is a tricky one. We polled several obstetricians, and the general consensus is that drinking chamomile tea is a personal decision you should make with your doctor. There is no hard-and-fast rule as to whether or not chamomile is definitely safe or definitely unsafe. Because there is so little research in regard to pregnant women and chamomile tea, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

Could chamomile tea be safe for some pregnant women and not for others? It's a tough call, because research is so lacking. In a study conducted by doctors at Case Western Reserve University (including Sanjay Gupta), the benefits and risks of chamomile tea have been researched extensively amongst the general population. However, it is noted that safety in pregnant and nursing women “has not been established, although there have not been any credible reports of toxicity caused by this common beverage tea.”

Why the complete lack of evidence when it comes to moms-to-be? "Pregnant women are considered a vulnerable population, so, in general, researchers aren't permitted to experiment on pregnant women," Jacqueline Wolf, a professor of the history of medicine in the Department of Social Medicine at Ohio University, told NPR.

"Given the lack of evidence about its long-term safety, chamomile is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding," WebMD reports. Hmm, fair enough. Unless you clear it with your doc, steering clear sounds like the best policy.

Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea

Pregnant or not, what’s so great about chamomile tea, anyway? Basically, it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties—in fact, it’s been used as a popular medicinal herb for centuries, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. According to the Case Western Reserve study, chamomile has been proven to help reduce symptoms of the common cold, gastrointestinal conditions and throat soreness and hoarseness. It’s also widely touted as a sleep aid (which is why your grandma probably tried to push chamomile tea on you as a kid when you were all riled up before bed).

Chamomile is also widely recommended as an effective home remedy to reduce anxiety. In a 2016 study published by the National Institutes of Health, subjects diagnosed with moderate-to-sever generalized anxiety disorder were given 1500mg of chamomile extract every day for 12 weeks. Chamomile was found to be safe and effective in significantly reducing GAD symptoms. While chamomile extract contains a much higher dose than your average cup of tea, you may also reap the anxiety reducing benefits by slowly sipping a warm cup and taking deep breaths.

Risks of Chamomile Tea

While chamomile tea is largely considered safe (for the non-pregnant population, anyway), it can cause vomiting if you take it in large doses, warns WebMD. Additionally, if you have an allergy to any plant in the daisy family (like marigolds, ragweed and chrysanthemums), you may develop an allergic reaction after consuming chamomile tea. Chamomile may also interact with some medications, including ibuprofen and aspirin, so talk to your doctor before consuming the tea in large amounts.

Chamomile tea isn't regulated, so the amount of chamomile present in the cup of tea you're drinking will vary by the manufacturer If you're concerned about the dosage of chamomile you're taking, chamomile extract or capsules (which contain regulated doses) may be a better alternative.

What Can I Drink Instead?

If you’d rather be safe than sorry, you may feel more comfortable ditching chamomile tea during your pregnancy. If so, there are plenty of other beverages you can try instead.

While hot water with lemon isn’t exactly a glamorous swap, it will keep you hydrated and satisfy your desire for a warm, soothing beverage to sip before bed. Best of all, it’s completely safe, you can drink as many cups as you want and you don’t have to clear it with your OB ahead of time. (Win, win, win.)

Black and green teas contain caffeine, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists maintains that 200 mg of caffeine per day is unlikely to cause harm to you or your unborn baby. (For reference, a cup of black tea has about 47 mg of caffeine.) Your doctor might have a different opinion, so check with him or her before incorporating caffeinated tea into your daily routine.

Like chamomile tea, the effects of herbal teas on pregnant women have not been significantly studied. Fruit-based teas, like blackberry or peach tea, are likely safe, but check the ingredients to determine that the tea doesn’t contain a blend of herbs that could be dangerous during pregnancy. For instance, hibiscus is a common ingredient in many herbal teas, but it is not safe for pregnant women. Lemon balm tea is also generally considered safe according to the American Pregnancy Association, but check with your doctor before you try it.

In the third trimester, raspberry red leaf tea is a popular choice among pregnant women all over the world. One-third of midwives in the United States recommend raspberry red leaf tea to stimulate labor, according to a recent study published by Integrative Medicine. Another study conducted by the Holistic Nurses Association in New South Wales found that women who drank the tea were 11 percent less likely than those who did not to require forceps during delivery. Even the American Pregnancy Association approves, suggesting that the tea can be safely consumed while pregnant and can both decrease the length of labor and reduce the chances of needing assisted delivery or a C-section. For some women, raspberry red leaf tea can trigger contractions, so get the go-ahead from your doctor or midwife before you drink it.

Is it possible to drink tea during pregnancy and which varieties to pay special attention to - an article on TCHK

During pregnancy, women have a lot of questions about what they can and cannot do. Including many, it is important to know how to build their relationship with tea during an interesting situation. What is the best tea for pregnant women? How much and when? In this article, we have collected all the most important information regarding this issue.

Classic tea during pregnancy (black, green, pu-erh, etc.)

If you like to drink black tea, during pregnancy you should remember that this drink contains caffeine, and the norm of this substance for a pregnant woman is 200-300 mg per day. Of course, no one carries a special tea calculator in their pocket, and calculating exactly how much caffeine you get with each cup is quite difficult. That is why it is better to brew black tea weakly (by pouring for 10-15 seconds) or diluted with more water (if you prefer this method of preparation). nine0003

The same rules apply to those who like to drink green tea, as well as white, yellow, oolong and pu-erh. There is no less caffeine in these types of tea than in classic black (and even more in matcha). General medical advice for healthy women comes down to the advice not to drink more than 3 cups of regular tea made from the leaves of the tea bush.

Caffeine can easily cross the placenta and the baby's immature liver has difficulty breaking it down. Thus, infants are more likely to experience side effects from amounts of caffeine that would be considered safe for adults. nine0003

It is important to remember that caffeine is also found in many carbonated drinks, chocolate, cocoa and coffee itself. Therefore, when measuring for yourself the allowable amount of tea, consider other products that you consume per day.

Pregnancy tisanes

If you can give up traditional tea without loss of quality of life and mood, look at other types of drinks.

The undisputed leader in this hit parade is rooibos - tisane, which does not contain caffeine and is allowed for both pregnant and lactating women, as well as children. Hibiscus, kuqiao, anchan and ivan tea are also considered safe, but, like any herbal drinks, these tisanes should be alternated without getting carried away by any one type. nine0003

Herbal teas for pregnant women (herbal teas)

Although it is common to think that herbal teas are more beneficial for pregnant women than classic ones, this is actually a very controversial issue. As with the traditional tea leaf, a pregnant woman should use any herbal drink in moderation, as even the safest plants in large quantities can harm the baby.

The most useful herbal tea for pregnant women

You may be surprised, but this tea is made from raspberry leaves. Medical studies have shown that red raspberry leaf can be safely consumed during pregnancy. Many midwives and herbalists believe that regular consumption of raspberry leaf tea can help prevent pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm labor, prolonged labor and postpartum hemorrhage, as well as reduce the duration of labor and the number of interventions used, including caesarean section. . In addition, raspberry leaf helps prevent too early or too late delivery. nine0003

Teas for toxemia

For many women in the early stages of pregnancy (and sometimes even longer) it is very important to find their own way to cope with nausea caused by toxemia. Properly selected tea can be a good way to solve this problem.

Mint tea

The fresh, cool aroma of mint becomes a real salvation for many pregnant women during toxicosis - the essential oils of this plant can alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Not recommended in the first trimester. nine0003

Ginger tea

Ginger root helps to relieve nausea and vomiting, it is also considered the first aid in toxicosis. Use with caution if you have stomach problems.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea also helps women suffering from toxicosis, and in addition, it has a positive effect on the nervous system and helps with thrush. Despite the fact that it is considered useful for pregnant women, you should not get carried away with it - an overdose can have an abortive effect. nine0003

Healthy supplements for tea

It is very important for a pregnant woman to get the maximum amount of nutrients per day (without fanaticism, of course). That is why adding a little honey, berries or fruits to your tea can be a good idea.

Tea with lemon

This tea is worth drinking to prevent the symptoms of toxicosis and overall strengthening of the immune system. Not recommended if a woman has stomach problems (gastritis, heartburn, etc.).

Tea with honey

A spoon of honey will always make your drink better and healthier (at least if you are not allergic to honey components). It is a good source of antioxidants, natural prebiotic and antibacterial.

Tea with berries

Raspberries, cranberries, sea buckthorn, currants, strawberries - you can continue this list according to your taste. By adding berries to tea, you enrich it with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. nine0003

Which tea should not be drunk by pregnant women?

According to doctors, women should beware of the use of teas, which are largely contained by the following plants:

Cauline
Verbena
Cucumber 9000
9000 9000

motherwort
lovage
ginseng
celandine
sagan-daily

These plants have abortive properties or can harm the child (delayed development, risk of intrauterine defects).

*This article summarizes the best studies of evidence-based medicine over the years. However, it is not a guide to action, so before allowing yourself coffee during pregnancy, be sure to check with your doctor. nine0136

Chamomile during pregnancy. — 8 answers

I have a question, is it possible to drink chamomile tea if the package says contraindicated during pregnancy. But what about bloating, increased gas formation, which can bother all pregnant women? Here's what I found on the Internet...

Even today, this healing flower is used very often. Pharmacy chamomile has many medicinal properties, which makes it a very popular medicinal plant. nine0003
What to do? Does chamomile have a beneficial effect on pregnant women and the unborn child, or is it a serious threat to them? Today, Mamapedia.com.ua experts will help answer these and other questions.

Why is chamomile useful during pregnancy?

Indeed, chamomile is desirable and useful even at a difficult and crucial moment, like pregnancy. Also, when used correctly, it is very useful throughout the entire period of pregnancy. Therefore, if you are accustomed to cosmetics based on this plant or drink chamomile tea, be calm. And if you were indifferent to chamomile before, we recommend making friends with it. After all, for a pregnant woman, she can do a favorable service. nine0003

Here is a list of what chamomile can do during pregnancy:

It is a source of magnesium and calcium.

Reduces joint inflammation.

In case of inflammation and diseases of the genital organs, infusions and decoctions of chamomile can be used for baths, compresses, douching and washing.

In case of respiratory diseases, inhale and gargle with chamomile.

In diseases of the oral cavity and stomatitis, rinsing with a decoction of chamomile is recommended. nine0090
It has a bactericidal, antiseptic, wound-healing effect, therefore it is recommended for washing the female genital organs, rinsing the mouth, for treating skin inflammations and wounds.

May relieve signs of toxicity.

Helps with constipation, gas, bloating.

Pain relief: headaches, stomach cramps.

Calms the nervous system: a wonderful way to relieve anxiety, overexcitation, stress, overcome depression or apathy. nine0090

Warning for pregnant mothers

We see that the list of chamomile's actions is long, so we should not forget about it at the time of pregnancy.

However, in order to extract only benefits from this plant, you need to use it correctly. As for external use, individual intolerance to chamomile can cause. Regarding teas and decoctions, you need to be very careful.

As for pure chamomile tea, you need to make a weak infusion and in no case abuse it. A pregnant woman can only afford two glasses of this drink per day. Excessive use of the plant inside can affect the increase in preterm labor or the tone of the uterus. This is because chamomile infusions and decoctions promote the production of estrogens.
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