The Pregnancy Tea Bible: Is It Safe To Drink?

A good hot cuppa, can really boost our mood!

But you're pregnant and you have heard that drinking tea isn't safe during pregnancy. You have heard it can be bad for your health and the health of your baby.

Whilst it is true that you should limit the amount of caffeine you have to 200 milligrams (mg) per day during pregnancy, drinking certain types of tea is perfectly safe and what's more they are packed with some amazing benefits too!

Limit yourself to just 1 cup a day and reap the rewards from our list of 17 of the best.

1 Raspberry / Red Leaf Tea

If you’ve ever had a baby before, you may already be aware of how red raspberry leaf tea can help ease labour. In fact, some studies have reported that this pregnancy tea can aid in uterine contractions and even shorten overall labour length. However, experts recommend avoiding red leaf tea during the first trimester, and instead suggest having it in the third trimester to ease labour and better prepare the pelvic region for birth.

And don’t stop drinking it after your baby is born, because this tea is abundant in calcium, Vitamin C, vitamin E and iron. It also helps with breastfeeding and encourages the uterus to heal faster.

2 Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is a perfectly safe herbal tea to consume during pregnancy. It not only provides a very uplifting effect but also helps you deal with nausea. While you may prefer the taste of peppermint on its own, many expectant mums like mixing their peppermint tea with red raspberry tea and some raw honey.

Peppermint tea is a good source of potassium, vitamin C, copper and manganese. It eases morning sickness and happens to be a very good remedy for the coughs and colds that come and go during pregnancy. It can help relieve headaches, heartburn, indigestion and bloating.

3 Green Tea

Green tea is another safe for pregnancy tea to have, although try not to down too many cups on any given day due to the caffeine content. It’s always a good idea to limit the amount of green tea you drink per day during pregnancy. If you can get the decaf variety, that’s great. If not, you can continue to have regular green tea but you may want to limit it to 1 cup per day.

Green tea is not only an excellent source of antioxidants, but also aids in digestion, helps you deal with fatigue and even promotes better sleep.

4. Chamomile / Camomile Tea

The Camomile herb comes from the same family as feverfew – which is generally not recommended during pregnancy, but only if you have a history of hay fever. Besides, you’d have to drink several cups a day to experience any issues at all.

Chamomile tea not only relaxes you mentally and soothes the nerves, but also reduces post birth pains and helps you fall sleep a lot easier at night.

5. Herbal Tea

Herbal teas are one of the best beverages to consume during pregnancy because they can help you deal with fatigue, exhaustion, stress and anxiety. They are made from parts of several plants including flowers, leaves, stands and bark, and can have a very relaxing effect on you both mentally and physically.

The best part is that they are completely caffeine free, so you can have more than a few cups a day, if you like.

6. Tea Tree

Tea tree oil contains a number of health promoting characteristics which include anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Because of these properties, pregnant mums often add a few drops of tea tree oil in their favorite cup of tea.

By consuming tea tree oil during pregnancy, you can enjoy many benefits such as relief form pain, fending off fungus infections and skin problems, as well as respiratory problems like a cold or congestion, which many mums suffer from during pregnancy.

7. Ginger Tea

Ginger is a digestive herb which has a very heart-warming effect when consumed. It aids in better blood flow, in addition to being a good source of zinc, and acts as an anti-nausea agent. It can also help you deal with morning sickness and cramping.

Ginger tea is very popular among pregnant mums due to the calming effect it has on the stomach and its ability to suppress pregnancy-induced nausea. Since it stimulates blood flow, it can help reduce muscular pain and soreness.

8. Nettle Tea

Nettle tea comes highly recommended by most herbalists and midwives due to its rich vitamin and mineral profile, which includes vitamins A, C and K as well as iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Just make sure that the nettle tea you’re drinking has been made from dried leaves only, and not the root. 

It’s a good tea to have this pregnancy especially in your third and final trimester, as it stimulates the uterus and helps with cramps.

9. Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea is known for its high antioxidant profile which is why many pregnant mums love having it. Not only is it completely caffeine-free, but it contains calcium and magnesium – both of which help promote energy metabolism. It also aids in digestion and works to ease colic pain and acid reflux.

10. Fennel Tea

Fennel tea, a fragrant beverage which comes from the seeds or leaves of the fennel plant, has been in naturopathic medicinal use for many centuries. Herbalists and midwives have been recommending it to pregnant mums for several hundred years as well because it works to combat certain disorders within the female reproductive system.

Additionally, fennel tea is a great remedy for stomach cramps, flatulence and bloating. It stimulates milk production and is a good digestive aid as well.

11. Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus has been around for several hundred years as a food and traditional medicine. It is typically given to patients suffering from constipation, oedema, fever and cardiac issues.

⚠️ It is believed that hibiscus tea should be avoided during pregnancy given its emmenagogue effects which stimulate blood flow to the pelvic region, increasing the likelihood of a miscarriage. However, this may only be the case if several large mugs a day are consumed, and particularly in the first trimester.

Pregnant mums have reported no side effects of drinking hibiscus tea during pregnancy and have undergone a normal delivery without any complications whatsoever.

While there is little evidence to suggest what exactly its benefits are for expectant mums – like all herbal teas, it can promote relaxation and help you sleep better. The cranberry juice-like flavour mixed with some honey is nothing to complain about either.

12. Anise Tea

The sweet and fragrant anise tea is one of the ‘go-to’ pregnancy teas due to its ability to act as a digestive aid. Not only can it help you do away with stomach problems such as colic pain and flatulence, but also stimulate the appetite.

Pregnant mums should drink anise tea to improve breast milk production and prevent breast hardening. Not only that, but it should also be consumed for its anti-cold and anti-asthmatic properties.

13. Butterfly Pea Tea

This ancient tea native to South East Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, and is a great source of anthocyanin antioxidants. It is well-known in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to improve circulation to the hair, skin and eyes – something all pregnant mums can use!

In addition, its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, along with anti-anxiety and anti-stress properties should be reason enough to consume it during pregnancy. 

14. Cerasee Tea

Native to the African and Middle Eastern region, the cerasee plant is one of the most popular herbs in existence today. When consumed in a tea, it can work to combat hypertension, constipation and abdominal pains, as well as detoxing the body. Pregnant mums stand to benefit a lot as this pregnancy tea can also cure urinary tract infections and reduce menstrual pains.

15. Greek Mountain Tea

Even though Greek mountain tea is said to have highly positive effects on whoever drinks it, some of its most notable benefits come in the form of curing respiratory problems and colds, digestive issues and mild anxiety. It is also an immunity booster and a good antioxidant. It can reduce inflammation, improve milk production and strengthen the foetus.

16. Iced Tea

If you’re pregnant during the peak summer months, then iced tea is a great pregnancy tea to have. Instead of sugar, add a little honey and enjoy this refreshing drink.

In addition to being a great antioxidant, iced tea ‘activates’ the brain and may increase focus. Although not directly related to specifically the benefits of pregnancy tea, iced tea can also help you prevent tooth decay.

17. Rosehip

Rosehip is a great pregnancy tea to have because it contains plenty of the immune system boosting vitamin C. It’s also a mild laxative which stimulates digestion and helps prevent constipation. In addition, rosehip tea can have pain-relieving effects as well.