Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy: Benefits And Side Effects
When it comes to highly refreshing teas, chamomile tea is the first thing that comes to our mind. One cannot simply forget its sweet aroma and captivating taste. Basically Chamomile is a herb, the flowers of which are used to prepare tea. Chamomile tea helps improve digestion. Get rid of sleeping disorders and relieve stomach cramps quite effectively. However, do pregnant women have to think twice before having this beverage. Chamomile tea during pregnancy has been widely debated in recent years. As there have been reports of abortion due to the consumption of chamomile tea. Let us have a look at the benefits and side effects of consuming chamomile tea and then analyze and answer whether it is advisable or avoidable.
What To Be Aware Of
There are various pregnancy blogs that youll find online that will speculate about whether its safe to drink chamomile tea during pregnancy. One blog we find speculated that it may lead to circulation problems in your baby. Its important to remember that this is only speculation and happens for just about anything when it comes to the online world. There are probably blogs somewhere trying to convince us that bananas arent safe!
Just with everything else during pregnancy, the main thing to remember is to take the advice of your doctor. While evidence shows that chamomile is safe to drink, if you start experiencing any side effects, it may be that your doctor advisers you to cut down on certain ingredients.
Interested in finding out more about chamomile tea? Read our post, including facts from various studies on the link between chamomile tea and sleep here spoiler alert, it may help new mums have a better nights rest!
Should Pregnant Women Avoid Chamomile Tea
A question that looms over everyones mind is. Is it safe to drink chamomile tea at the time of pregnancy? Truth is spoken, it depends completely on the one drinking it. Thanks to its unique taste, chamomile tea can be a really tempting beverage to drink. However, if one gives in to the temptation and if your chamomile tea. One cup after another, then it certainly is a cause of serious concern. Any herbal tea when consumed in excess during pregnancy is dangerous, and chamomile tea is no exception. Consumption of herbs in large doses, in this case, the many cups of chamomile tea, can cause serious complications in the pregnancy making it a stressful period.
Benefits of Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy:
Side Effects:
The uterus where the development of the baby takes place during the nine months of pregnancy, can be affected by the side effects of chamomile tea if it is taken inappropriately. Chamomile tea transforms into an abortion causing drug if the intake is too much. Basically, chamomile acts as an abortifacient which contracts the uterus. At the time of delivery, the uterine contractions are normal but before it may lead to serious consequences like a miscarriage.
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Raspberry Leaf Tea During Pregnancy
Raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy prepares the uterus for labor due to its rich mineral content. Thats why its one of our favorites at BellyBelly!
It also helps to prevent post-partum hemorrhage due to its gentle astringent effect.
Raspberry leaf tea was traditionally used in late pregnancy to prepare for birth and breastfeeding.
Raspberry leaf is also a galactagogue, so it supports breast milk production.
According to Nicole, this herb is also high in calcium, magnesium, and iron.
Raspberry leaf tea is safe to drink from the second trimester onwards.
I usually recommend women drink one cup per day from 26 weeks. Then they can build up to two cups at 30 weeks, three cups at 36 weeks and 3-4 cups from 37 weeks. Nicole suggests.
See some popular, top-rated raspberry leaf tea here.
Are There Benefits To Drinking Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy
Benefits Of Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy 1 Morning sickness: Freaky mornings are a common issue during the gestation period. 2 Digestive Problems: From constipation, to gas and bloating, chamomile tea can also alleviate 3 Insomnia: Similarly, you can try an occasional small cup of the tea when you have trouble falling
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What Are The Disadvantages Of Drinking Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy
Besides the advantages, drinking more than the recommended amount of chamomile tea can trigger some side effects as well. Some of the side effects of chamomile tea are:
- Some compounds in Chamomile tea react with anaesthetic drugs. Therefore, if you doubt a possibility of C section, you should stop drinking chamomile tea at least two weeks before the surgery
- Similarly, chamomile can react with some medicines used as blood thinners , pain killers . The pain killers also might have sedative property), and some medicines used for treating infections. If you belong to any of these categories, consult a doctor before making chamomile tea a practice
- If you are allergic to pollen, especially to the pollen of flowers comes from the family of daisy, the possibility of developing allergic reaction increases which will hinder with the normal progression of pregnancy
Allergen Risk Of Chamomile For Pregnant Women
Chamomile flowers are closely related to other asters including the daisy and present a slight risk of allergic reaction in women with a history of hay fever. If you’re allergic to daisies, ragweed or other asters, you should steer clear of chamomile altogether. If you’re looking for a safe alternative to chamomile, there are pregnancy-safe teas available that are fully tested and certified. Ginger tea is an alternative tea that possesses some of the same stomach-soothing properties of chamomile, and red raspberry leaf tea is considered one of the most beneficial teas for a happy, healthy pregnancy, touted for helping prevent complications such as postpartum hemorrhage. As with all things pregnancy-related, consult with your doctor or midwife for the final verdict on health and safety.
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Frequently Used Herbal Teas During Pregnancy
Herbs are frequently used as teas or infusions during pregnancy. However, there are no clinical trials and no evidence-based proof regarding their safety. They have been considered to be safe and so used for many years. Thus, their recommended consumption is to be limited to two cups per day during pregnancy.
Commonly used herbs during pregnancy were known to be raspberry, fennel, peppermint, ginger, thyme, chamomile, sage and green tea. Linden, peppermint-lemon, ginger have been reported to be the most commonly used herbal products in pregnancy during 1st and 2nd trimesters in a study conducted in Turkey. Moreover, in a preliminary study conducted to evaluate the attitudes of primary care physicians towards herbal medicines used during pregnancy revealed that fennel, linden and cinnamon are the most commonly used and recommended herbal teas among pregnant women in stanbul.
Raspberry Leaf Tea: Hidden Gem For Our Periods
I found this tea marketed online as a womans best friend. If thats really true then why dont more women know about this supposed miracle tea!? Its the only one that the sole benefit is described as helping women have better periods.
I had no idea this tea even existed before researching and stumbling upon this review on TheKitchn. If all the other tea options fail, I dont think this one will .
Unlike hibiscus tea, raspberry leaf tea isnt dangerous for women trying to get pregnant. In fact, its the opposite. Its actually good to drink during your first trimester to deal with morning sickness.
Dont think this tea is side effect free just yet. Studies show that raspberry leaf is an estrogen supplement. Which as we know for women, too much estrogen can lead to a different set health problems. Best to ask a medical professional before trying this one, and everything in moderation gals!
Try raspberry leaf tea .
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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
- Colic and diarrhea in children
- Eczema
- Inflammatory diseases such as esophageal reflux, diverticulitis, and inflammatory skin problems
- Mouth ulcers
Should I Use Chamomile During Pregnancy
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.
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How Much Is Safe Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy
Do not exceed 15g when you prepare your cup of chamomile. Making a strong brew defies the benefits of the herbal product. Always maintain limits and balances in anything you do, and you will be good enough. Buy the tea from a good brand that does not add too many supplements in the mix. You can always find a good brand after reading reviews.
Does Chamomile Induce Labor
Again, the answer is no.
In some studies, women who were already overdue and given chamomile extract went into labor more frequently than women who werent.
But we dont have anywhere near enough evidence to prove that any teas can actually induce labor.
Although if youre interested, there are some popular ones to try in the final few weeks of pregnancy.
The ones that come up the most are nettle leaf and raspberry leaf.
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Think Twice Before Drinking Peppermint Or Chamomile Tea In Your First Trimester
If you enjoy drinking peppermint tea, you probably won’t have to give it up entire while you’re pregnant. You likely should still limit how much you’re drinking, though.
“If you want to be extremely cautious then just give peppermint and chamomile a rest during the first trimester,” Natasha Richardson, the founder of Forager Botanicals and an herbalist who penned a dissertation on herbs in pregnancy. “That’s when miscarriages are most likely. It’s unlikely that those herbs would actually cause miscarriage but I wouldn’t want anyone drawing that conclusion in an unfortunate turn of events.” Because peppermint might be able to cause some very mild uterine contractions, some women don’t want to risk it early-on.
If your nausea is especially bad and you don’t like or want to overdo it on the ginger, mint can also help ease an upset stomach, Manglani said, so you may want to keep it on-hand.
It Can Help With Digestion
Chamomile can be clutch for problems in the digestive region because its antispasmodic, meaning it helps reduce spasms within the body, including the stomach and intestines, Kluge says. It also contains bitter compounds called cesquiterpene lactones, which trigger the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes needed to break down food, she explains.
And because of its calming effect on the body, chamomile can be particularly useful for stress-related digestive issues, like a nervous stomach . So many digestive imbalances are a symptom of stress, including IBS, reflux, or diarrhea, Kluge says. Chamomile is a perfect herb for gently managing our stress response, so you may not experience the digestive symptoms to begin with.
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What Does Chamomile Tea Do For The Body
People say that chamomile helps with almost any problem. They are used in the case of gastrointestinal and respiratory problems and they also help with insomnia and skin problems.
The flowers will help you if you feel pain in the body and with inflammation. They have a calming effect and destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
They are useful in healing and cosmetics, in the household and even in the garden.
You can prepare tea from chamomile flowers, steam bath, macerate, ointments, compresses and much more.
There are more than enough reasons for you to grow them in your home garden.
Does Chamomile Tea Help Induce Labour
There is inadequate research to conclusively prove that chamomile can induce labour. However, drinking an excessive amount of chamomile tea has been linked to miscarriages and preterm births. Chamomile, when consumed in large quantities, can induce contractions that can cause miscarriages and premature births.
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Along With Your Anxiety
Speaking of stress, chamomile may be helpful for those struggling with anxiety or higher-than-usual stress levels. More research is needed to understand why, but a small study published in Phytomedicinefound consuming chamomile extract reduced moderate-to-severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Scientists also need to further dig into the risks and benefits, but the Mayo Clinic says limited data has shown short-term use to be generally safe and potentially effective in reducing symptoms. Just keep in mind that chamomile may not work the same for everyone, so its always best to consult with your doctor before starting any sort of medical treatment plan.
Which Teas Are Safe During Pregnancy
Non-Herbal Teas
Although non-herbal tea is assumed to have great health benefits due to the antioxidants, it also contains caffeine, which pregnant and breastfeeding women are often encouraged to cut down on or eliminate.
The average cup of non-herbal tea contains about 40-50 milligrams of caffeine. Decaffeinated nonherbal tea does still contain a bit of caffeine however, the amount is usually only about .4 milligrams.
Caffeine crosses the placenta and reaches your developing baby. The baby cannot metabolize caffeine like an adult can. Also, consuming caffeine while breastfeeding could contribute to infant sleep disorders.
For this reason, there is controversy on how much caffeine is safe, or if it should be avoided altogether. We know that the less caffeine consumed, the better it is for your baby while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Talk with your midwife or doctor about what amount is safe. This will help you make the decision on whether to consume non-herbal teas.
Herbal teas
The herbal teas that are considered to be unsafe are those that are not made commercially, those made with excessive amounts of herbs , and those made with herbs that are known to be toxic.
As with most things, it is always best to talk with your midwife or doctor about any herbal teas that you are interested in drinking.
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What Tea Is Safe During Pregnancy
Tea lovers would already have thorough research-ready on this because there is no way they would like to compromise on tea! With all the mood swings and cranky behaviour during pregnancy, tea is the only thing that will keep you sane! On the other hand, pregnancy is very important as well as an enjoyable stage of life. The health of the baby is as important as the mothers health.
Without keeping you waiting for any longer, TeaSwan is here to provide you with some of the top pregnancy tea that is safe and good to consume during this phase of your life- right at your doorstep!
Some of the safe and good teas are-
Improves Resistance And Immunity
During pregnancy your immune system deliberately lowers as to not reject your baby. However, this can leave you more susceptible to illness. Chamomile contains nutrients that help the body fight off infections and increase resistance to diseases. Drinking chamomile tea helps boost the immune system and prevents germs from invading the body.
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Does Chamomile Fight Cancer
A study was made that included a chamomile extract on the action of cancerous cells in humans.
The results showed that chamomile has excellent anti-cancer properties due to its polyphenols and terpenoids because the scientists have proven different apoptosis of cancer cells that didnt work negatively on healthy cells.
Thus, chamomile is proven to be an effective home remedy that can be used in cancer treatment without any side effects. The research is a clear indication that we should enjoy chamomiles more often.
And Maybe Even Your Hair
Any notion that chamomile can boost the quality of your hair is speculative at best, but given its cooling and mildly anti-inflammatory properties, Kluge notes a chamomile tea hair rinse could potentially help ease dry and inflamed scalp conditions like dandruff or itchiness. There isn’t scientific research to definitively prove its effectiveness, but if you’ve already got some in your pantry, it couldn’t hurt to try.
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What Are Some Alternatives To Chamomile Tea During Pregnancy
If you are thinking twice about drinking Chamomile tea during pregnancy, well, then you definitely need an alternative.
Per Kimberly Dishman who is an MSN and RNC-OB by profession, Ginger tea is an excellent alternative for Chamomile tea. It works wonders in reducing nausea or vomiting feel during pregnancy. You may sprinkle powdered ginger root to any safe-to-use herbal tea, consume it as supplements, or just add it to warm water with honey to get the most out of it!
What Happens If You Drink Chamomile Tea While Pregnant
It contains caffeine, so you should limit how much you drink during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Chamomile tea: A cup of chamomile tea before bed may relax you, but again, avoid drinking large quantities. There is a suggestion it could stimulate the uterus or lead to circulation problems in your baby.
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