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Lemon balm pregnancy


Is Tea Safe During Pregnancy?

Tea is one of the most popular beverages worldwide — and one that many women continue to enjoy during pregnancy.

Some drink it to simply decompress or help meet the increased fluid needs of pregnancy. However, a proportion of women appear to use tea as a natural remedy for pregnancy-related symptoms or as a tonic to prepare for childbirth in the last weeks of pregnancy (1).

Many may believe that tea is probably safe to drink while pregnant because it’s natural. In reality, women may benefit from reducing their intake of certain teas, while completely avoiding others throughout their pregnancy.

This article discusses the safety of tea during pregnancy, including which teas pregnant women may continue to drink, and which they may want to avoid.

Black, green, white, matcha, chai, and oolong teas are all sourced from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. They contain caffeine — a natural stimulant that should be limited during pregnancy.

They each provide approximately the following amount of caffeine per cup (240 mL) (2, 3, 4, 5, 6):

  • matcha: 60–80 mg
  • oolong tea: 38–58 mg
  • black tea: 47–53 mg
  • chai: 47–53 mg
  • white tea: 25–50 mg
  • green tea: 29–49 mg

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

Research suggests that infants exposed to too much caffeine during pregnancy may have a higher risk of being born preterm or with a low birth weight or birth defects. High caffeine intake during pregnancy may also increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth (7, 8, 9).

These risks appear minimal when pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to a maximum of 300 mg per day (8).

However, some women’s genetics may make them more sensitive to the ill effects of caffeine. For instance, research suggests that this small proportion of women may have a 2.4 times higher risk of miscarriage when consuming 100–300 mg of caffeine per day (8).

Caffeinated teas contain less caffeine than coffee and are generally considered safe to drink during pregnancy. However, their intake may need to be limited to avoid consuming too much caffeine per day (10, 11).

summary

Black, green, matcha, oolong, white, and chai teas contain caffeine, a stimulant that should be limited during pregnancy. Although they’re generally safe, women may benefit from limiting their daily intake of these caffeinated teas during pregnancy.

Herbal teas are made from dried fruits, flowers, spices, or herbs and therefore contain no caffeine. However, they may contain other compounds considered unsafe during pregnancy, which may result in risky side effects.

Miscarriage or preterm labor

Teas that may increase your risk of miscarriage or preterm labor include (11, 12, 13, 14, 15):

  • fennel
  • fenugreek
  • sage
  • vervain
  • borage
  • pennyroyal
  • licorice
  • thyme
  • motherwort
  • lovage
  • blue cohosh
  • black cohosh
  • frankincense (in large amounts)
  • chamomile (in large amounts)

Menstrual bleeding

Teas that may stimulate or increase menstrual bleeding include (12, 16, 17):

  • motherwort
  • lovage
  • frankincense

Birth defects

Teas that may increase the risk of birth defects include (12):

  • motherwort
  • borage

Other side effects

Moreover, in rare cases, eucalyptus tea may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. What’s more, a case report suggests that regularly drinking chamomile tea during pregnancy may result in poor blood flow through a baby’s heart (1, 12).

Certain herbal teas may also contain compounds that interact with medications. Therefore, pregnant women should inform their healthcare providers of any herbal teas they are currently consuming or planning on consuming at any time during pregnancy (1).

Keep in mind that, due to the limited amount of research on the safety of herbal teas, a lack of evidence of negative side effects shouldn’t be seen as proof that the tea is safe to drink during pregnancy.

Until more is known, it may be best for pregnant women to remain cautious and avoid drinking any teas that have not yet been shown to be likely safe during pregnancy (18).

summary

Certain herbal teas may be linked to a higher risk of upset stomach, menstrual bleeding, miscarriage, birth defects, or preterm birth. Pregnant women may benefit from avoiding all teas not yet deemed as likely safe for pregnancy.

Teas are not strictly tested or regulated. This means that women may be inadvertently drinking teas contaminated with unwanted compounds, such as heavy metals (19, 20).

For instance, one study tested common off-the-shelf black, green, white, and oolong teas. It found that 20% of all samples were contaminated with aluminum. Moreover, 73% of all samples contained lead levels considered unsafe during pregnancy (21).

In another study, women with the highest intake of green and herbal teas during the first trimester of pregnancy had 6–14% higher blood lead levels than those who drank the least. That said, all blood lead levels remained within the normal range (20).

Due to the lack of regulation, there’s also a risk of herbal teas containing ingredients not listed on the label. This increases the risk that pregnant women end up inadvertently consuming a tea tainted with an undesirable herb, such as the ones listed above.

It’s currently impossible to eliminate this risk. However, you may somewhat minimize it by only purchasing teas from reputable brands.

What’s more, it’s likely best to avoid purchasing teas in bulk, as they have a higher risk of becoming mixed with tea leaves that may be contraindicated during pregnancy from adjacent bulk bins.

summary

The manufacturing of teas is not regulated. As a result, teas may become tainted with unwanted compounds, such as heavy metals or herbs that have been linked to poor pregnancy outcomes.

Most caffeinated teas are considered safe to drink during pregnancy, as long as they do not cause a woman’s total daily caffeine intake to exceed 300 mg (8, 11).

Women who are particularly sensitive to caffeine may benefit from aiming for a maximum of 100 mg of caffeine per day (8).

When it comes to herbal teas, there’s not a lot of research regarding their effects during pregnancy. As such, most health professionals advise pregnant women to avoid consuming any herb in amounts greater than you would find in foods (1, 12, 18).

That said, according to a few studies, herbal teas containing the following ingredients may be safe to consume during pregnancy:

  • Raspberry leaf. This tea is considered likely safe and believed to shorten labor and help prepare the uterus for birth. Research shows that it may shorten the length of the second stage of labor, but only by about 10 minutes (11, 22).
  • Peppermint. This tea is considered likely safe and commonly used to help relieve gas, nausea, stomach pain, or heartburn. However, no studies could be found to support these benefits (12).
  • Ginger. Ginger is one of the most studied herb remedies during pregnancy and considered possibly safe. Research suggests it reduces nausea and vomiting but, when consumed dried, should not exceed 1 gram per day (1, 12).
  • Lemon balm. This tea is considered possibly safe and commonly used to relieve anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. However, no study could be found to support these uses, and its safety hasn’t been studied in pregnancy (11).

Although generally considered safe, raspberry leaf may promote uterine contractions while peppermint may stimulate menstrual flow. Therefore, there’s some controversy regarding whether these teas are safe during the first trimester of pregnancy (12, 23).

Therefore, it may be best to avoid drinking these two teas in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

summary

Herbal teas considered to be possibly safe or likely safe during pregnancy include raspberry leaf, peppermint, ginger, and lemon balm teas. However, it may be best to avoid raspberry leaf and peppermint teas in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Despite their widespread popularity, not all teas are deemed safe for pregnancy.

Caffeinated teas like black, green, white, matcha, and chai teas are generally considered safe. However, their intake may need to be limited to avoid ingesting excessive amounts of caffeine.

Most herbal teas should be avoided. Raspberry leaf, peppermint, ginger, and lemon balm tea are the only ones currently deemed as potentially safe. However, women may benefit from avoiding the first two during their first trimester of pregnancy.

Can Pregnant Women Drink Lemon Balm Tea? Is It Safe?

Last Updated on September 25, 2021

Herbal tea is a go-to option for pregnant women, as many teas don’t contain caffeine and they sometimes have natural health benefits, too. Lemon Balm Tea is a popular choice in pregnancy as a way to relax and hydrate, but is it safe? I decided to find out.

Is Lemon Balm Tea Safe in Pregnancy? Lemon balm tea is generally accepted as being safe for pregnant women to drink. It’s caffeine-free and may have other health benefits. Pregnant women should stick to commercial blends and culinary amounts of lemon balm tea.

Here, I’ll address the potential benefits of lemon balm tea, and take a look at different medical sources as to whether it’s safe or not when you’re pregnant.

Covered in this Article:

When Is Lemon Balm Tea Unsafe for Pregnant Women?

The important thing to remember about herbal tea in pregnancy is that it should only be consumed in “culinary amounts”. That just means regular amounts of the herb, usually made commercially in tea bags, or in measured doses of loose leaf tea.

The American Pregnancy Association list Lemon Balm as “likely safe” for pregnant women when taken in these usual culinary amounts (source: APA).

A 2005 study also stated that there was a lack of evidence as to whether lemon balm was safe during pregnancy, but pointed out that the FDA in the US has it listed on their list of “likely safe” herbs when taken in food amounts only (sources: ResearchGate, FDA). This is also because lemon balm appears quite often in foods, as a flavoring.

The only thing you need to look out for is that you should avoid non-commercial, excessive amounts of the herb – for example, taking an extract or concentrate. This is what’s known as a ‘medicinal amount’, and should be avoided when pregnant (source: WebMD).

Sometimes, bespoke blends of herbal teas like lemon balm may contain a larger amount of the herb, or be mixed with other ingredients such as extracts (covered later in this article). Always check the ingredients when you’re choosing lemon balm tea to drink in pregnancy.

If you live in the UK or Australia, it’s recommended that herbal teas are limited to a total of 4 cups daily or 2 cups daily respectively.

Tip: Lemon Balm tea in its purest form should be only made from the leaves of the lemon balm plant (Melissa officinalis), which is a member of the mint family.

Sometimes, lemon balm tea is a combination of lemon balm and peppermint leaves, which is also fine in pregnancy if you drink it in ordinary culinary amounts.

If buying loose leaf tea, check the recommended amount that should be steeped. Do not exceed the stated dose, or stick to already-prepared teabags.

If you have an underactive thyroid, then avoid lemon balm tea. Lemon Balm may act as a thyroid suppressant, but its exact interaction is still unknown (source: TC Journal).

Does Lemon Balm Tea Contain Caffeine?

Unless it’s combined with other teas such as green tea leaves, lemon balm tea in its pure form is naturally caffeine-free.

As stated above, check the ingredients list of the lemon balm tea you’ve chosen. If it’s got other tea leaves blended with it, it may contain caffeine or have other herbs that aren’t safe in pregnancy.

In pregnancy, it’s best to stick to pure, commercially-made teas that are usually made with the single ingredient listed. My favorite brand is Traditional Medicinals, available on Amazon and in health stores.

What Are The Benefits of Drinking Lemon Balm Tea When Pregnant?

In 2014 a study found that taking lemon balm helped to reduce stress and anxiety, and feel an increased sense of calm.

However, the participants were taking a medical amount of lemon balm (which is not recommended in pregnancy), and the study sample was small (source: Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine).

A more in-depth evidence-based review took place in 2005, and although it was acknowledged that there was anecdotal evidence of lemon balm’s benefits (such as a reduction in anxiety, better sleep, or reducing stress), there was not enough evidence to draw a solid conclusion.

Overall, lemon balm tea may have such benefits, but the evidence to support them is still either contradictory or lacking.

If lemon balm tea works for you, then you can still drink it in small amounts, in moderation, as it’s very important to hydrate often in pregnancy.

If you need some other ideas to stay hydrated and are bored with water, I wrote an article covering ten drinks (besides water) that are safe in pregnancy.

Is Lemon Balm Tincture (Extract) or Oil Safe in Pregnancy?

Lemon balm should only be taken in regular food amounts during pregnancy. This means drinking it in moderation as a tea, from a commercially-made, measured out amount of lemon balm leaves.

The safest and most reliable way to do this is to buy quality lemon balm tea bags, as they’re already measured out. As mentioned earlier, my recommended brand is here, as it contains only organic lemon balm leaves.

Extracts and tinctures are potent, and can contain many times the recommended amounts of lemon balm, and aren’t recommended for pregnant women, as there’s a lack of evidence as to their safety (source: WebMD).

If you want to use lemon balm as a supplement, extract, oil or tincture, then consult your midwife or doctor beforehand. Otherwise, stick to small, culinary amounts of the herb as a tea in moderation during pregnancy.

If you enjoy drinking tea in pregnancy, you might also be interested in:

  • Ten Drinks that are safe when pregnant, besides water
  • Whether Jasmine tea is safe or not, and its caffeine content
  • Drinking yogurt (such as in smoothies) during pregnancy

This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in line with our editorial policy.

90,000 is it possible to drink tea with lemon balm in the early stages of

Parete

updated

Content:

Can you drink tea with lemon balm

Contraindications for the use of tea with a lemon balm 9000

How to prepare tea how to prepare tea to prepare tea with lemon balm

Is it possible to drink lemon balm during early pregnancy

Is it possible to use lemon balm for other purposes

Methods for preparing medicinal decoctions from lemon balm

Video

Lemon mint, or lemongrass, is the name given to lemon balm because of its sour but pleasant smell. This plant belongs to medicinal due to the presence of useful properties that have a positive effect on the state of the human body. Therefore, lemon balm during pregnancy is not only allowed, but in some cases recommended spice.

Is it possible to drink melissa tea during pregnancy

Drinking lemon balm tea helps fight neurosis, depression, insomnia, increased fatigue and irritability - symptoms that often occur in women during childbearing. nine0005

Melissa tea strengthens the immunity of a pregnant woman

The drink has the following properties:

  • Strengthens the immune system and improves the overall tone of the body.
  • Increases appetite and eliminates the symptoms of toxicosis.
  • Promotes the smooth functioning of the cardiovascular system.
  • Relieves muscle spasms.
  • Is an effective remedy for colds. nine0040
  • Reduces blood pressure and relieves headaches.
  • Eliminates puffiness.
  • Has a mild laxative effect and normalizes the digestive tract.
  • Eliminates insomnia, soothes.

You can prepare a drink based on herbs. For example, lemon balm and rose hips are a universal combination of herbs from which “tea for all occasions” is obtained. It strengthens the immune system and promotes an easier pregnancy, and if calendula is added to it, it becomes an effective antiviral agent. nine0005

Contraindications to the use of lemon balm tea

Do not drink such a drink if a woman is allergic to it. Also contraindications include:

  • low blood pressure;
  • gastric and intestinal ulcer;
  • renal insufficiency;
  • pathologies of the central nervous system.

In addition, the plant stimulates the female sex glands, disrupting the hormonal background, which is why its amount in the diet must be limited, especially in early pregnancy, when the formation of the fetus is just beginning. nine0005

The best option is to visit a doctor to prescribe an individual daily dosage of the remedy. This plant is useful, but only when consumed in moderation.

We must not forget about the pronounced sedative properties of lemon balm. When used in large quantities, the plant reduces concentration and physical activity, and also greatly relaxes the psyche. This should be considered, especially if a woman drives a car.

How to make melissa tea

nine0003 Adding to tea is the best option for using the plant. The easiest way to prepare a drink is to add fresh or dried leaves to brewed black or green tea. You can also make a delicious lemon balm drink by following the recipe:

  1. 2 tbsp. l. plants pour 250 ml of boiling water, cover and leave for 10 minutes.
  2. When the tea is infused, dilute it with hot boiled water in a ratio of 1:1 so that the drink is not too strong.
    3. nine0039 To improve the taste, add cinnamon or honey to tea before drinking.

Such a drink can be poured into ice molds and frozen in order to later wipe the face with frozen cubes - this procedure has a beneficial effect on the skin condition.

Is it possible to drink lemon balm during early pregnancy

Doctors recommend that herbal infusions be treated very carefully in the first trimester of pregnancy, because many of them can affect the development of the fetus in the womb. nine0005

In the early stages, lemon balm in small quantities will help to cope with toxicosis

No harmful effects of lemon balm on the body of an unformed child have yet been found. On the contrary, the plant helps him develop successfully, saturating the mother's body with pectin, iron, potassium, magnesium, beta-carotene, vitamins B1 and B2. In addition, drinking such a drink in the first trimester is useful for the following reasons:

  • In the early stages, attacks of toxicosis are often very strong, and the plant helps to cope with them without side effects.
  • With proper use, lemon grass leaves stabilize the female hormonal background.
  • If you have no appetite, lemon balm tea will help bring it back.
  • Relieving muscle spasms is a property of a plant that helps southern women eliminate pain in the abdomen, which often occurs in the first trimester.
    • nine0057

    But, despite a number of positive properties, the complete safety of the plant in relation to the fetus that has not yet been formed has not been proven, therefore, before including it in the diet, it is strongly recommended to consult with your doctor.

    Can lemon balm be used for other purposes

    Grass is useful not only as an additive to tea. The plant is used during pregnancy in various forms, in particular:

    • Melissa oil is an effective anti-cold remedy that is used for inhalation. A side effect of the oil is a hypnotic effect, so it is advisable to use it before bedtime. You can buy lemon balm oil at any pharmacy. nine0040
    • Fresh leaves are a tasty and healthy addition to vegetable and fruit salads, as well as to freshly prepared meat dishes.
    • Compresses from decoctions based on herbs relieve swelling in the legs.

    Lemon Balm can be used fresh or dried. Pharmacy dried leaves are useful, but a freshly picked home plant has the most positive properties. It can be easily grown on your own plot, as the shrub is perennial and unpretentious in care. Once planted, you can be sure that you are provided with lemon balm for several years to come. nine0005

    Methods for preparing medicinal decoctions from lemon balm

    In addition to tasty and healthy standard lemon balm tea, the plant appears in some folk recipes, in particular:

    • Decoction for swelling of the legs. 8 art. l. leaves pour 400 ml of boiling water, cover and leave for half an hour. Cool the decoction, apply a compress from it to swollen legs before going to bed for about 30-40 minutes.
    • Decoction for anxiety and stress. 4 tbsp lemon balm pour 400 ml of boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. Dilute 50 ml of decoction with 200 ml of pure boiled water and drink before going to bed. To improve the taste, you can add a teaspoon of homemade honey to the drink. This medicine calms the nerves, eliminates insomnia and anxiety. To obtain the most pronounced result, the decoction must be drunk twice a day for a month. nine0040

    If a woman has not consumed lemon balm before pregnancy, it is better to start using it with one leaf thrown into a cup of black or green tea. If this was not followed by any negative reactions of the body, the dosage can be gradually increased to the amount recommended by the attending physician. With the permission of the doctor, you can continue to use the herb during lactation.

    Also interesting to read: how mint works with breastfeeding

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    Melissa, aka lemon mint, is famous not only for its wonderful and mild aroma, but also for its healing properties. Due to its resemblance to mint, lemon balm is often referred to as lemon balm.

    Can this plant be useful for pregnant women, how will it affect and should it be used at all in this position?

    In our article we will talk about the indications and contraindications for taking lemon balm during pregnancy, as well as the effect on the woman's body, depending on the trimester.

    Show content

    • Can pregnant women take lemon balm or not?
    • The effect on the body depending on the trimester
    • Benefits and indications for use
    • Chemical composition