Are Herbal Teas Safe?

by Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger

19 Mar 2008 10:30 AM

Herbal teas offer many nutritional and medicinal benefits. Some herbal tea has become so popular that you may not think twice about pouring a cup. But are they safe during pregnancy? This depends on the type of tea you are drinking.

There are a few reasons to question the safety of herbal teas. One factor is the medicinal properties in some tea preparations. Herbal medicine is helpful for many ailments, but not all are safe for use in pregnancy. An herbal tea that has health benefits may have negative side effects for the baby.

Another factor to consider is how the teas are made. Herbal tea is not made from tea leaves. They really aren't tea at all, but contain roots, flowers, berries, leaves and other plant based ingredients. These roots and plant materials are used to make teas and other herbal medicines and remedies.

Some of these may not be safe to consume during pregnancy, such as nettles, yellow dock and alfalfa. Peppermint leaf tea is thought to be safe during pregnancy. This tea is also a great natural remedy for morning sickness.

There are teas on the market which are formulated for pregnancy. Common names are pregnancy tea and red raspberry leaf tea. These are said to help prevent complications such as pre-eclampsia and help shorten labor. Red raspberry leaf in particular is said to help prevent prolonged labor.

There is evidence to suggest that red raspberry leaf tea is safe and actually does work. A study published in the Journal of Midwifery found that patients drinking the tea had shorter labors and required fewer interventions. One caveat with red raspberry leaf tea: it shouldn't be taken until the second trimester.

The bottom line is some tea is safe and others are not. To be on the safe side, talk to your health care provider before drinking herbal teas when you are pregnant. Your doctor or midwife knows your health history best and will be able to help you make the right decision.

Related Articles:

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Let's Talk About Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy

Let's Talk About Safe Herb Usage in Pregnancy

Learn more about Pattie Hughes

Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University.

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