Teas during pregnancy: which ones can pregnant women take

The consumption of teas during pregnancy is a very controversial topic and this is because there are still no studies carried out with all plants during pregnancy, to really understand their effects on the woman’s body or on the baby’s development.

Therefore, the ideal is to avoid consuming any tea without guidance from an obstetrician or herbalist, and prefer other natural options to treat common problems such as nausea, anxiety, constipation or even flu symptoms.

Although they are natural, teas are made from plants with active substances that can strongly affect the functioning of the body and, therefore, cause complications during pregnancy, such as miscarriage, malformations or bleeding. Therefore, even teas that are not considered dangerous should only be consumed under the guidance of a doctor and in quantities of 2 to 3 cups per day.

Check out a more complete list of teas and plants that are considered dangerous during pregnancy.

5 safe teas for pregnancy problems

Although most plants should not be used during pregnancy, there are others that can continue to be used, as long as within certain doses, and under the guidance of a doctor, to treat some common problems during pregnancy:

1. Ginger: heartburn, nausea and vomiting

Ginger is a great natural option for relieving the feeling of heartburn or nausea and can be used during pregnancy, as long as you do not exceed a dose of 1 gram of dry root per day, in 200 mL of boiling water, for a maximum period of 4 consecutive days. Check out other natural options to get rid of nausea during pregnancy.

Therefore, if you choose to drink tea made with 1 gram of ginger, you should only drink it once a day (and for up to 4 days), generally in the morning, as this is the most common period for nausea to appear.

Read too: Ginger during pregnancy: is it safe? how to use and risks

2. Arando: urinary infection

Urinary tract infections are a very common problem during pregnancy, especially due to hormonal changes in a woman’s body. Thus, cranberries can be an excellent solution to prevent the problem, as they can be used during pregnancy in the amount of 50 to 200 mL of juice, 1 or 2 times a day.

See other tips to prevent urinary infections during pregnancy.

3. Green Tea: tiredness and lack of energy

Although it has caffeine like coffee, green tea may be a safer option to replace its use. However, whenever possible, other ways of treating fatigue during pregnancy should be used.

However, with due guidance from your doctor, green tea can be consumed in the amount of 1 dessert spoon of leaves in 250 mL of boiling water, once a day, for up to 4 consecutive days.

4. Prune: constipation

Most laxative teas, such as senna, are dangerous during pregnancy and should therefore be avoided. However, dried plums are an excellent natural option that is very effective and can be used during pregnancy.

To use dried plums, simply eat 1 plum 30 minutes before your 3 main meals, or put 3 dried plums to macerate in a glass of water for 12 hours and then drink the mixture on an empty stomach.

Find out what other strategies you can use to treat constipation naturally.

5. Lemon tea with ginger: cough

Lemon tea with ginger is a good homemade option to relieve coughs during pregnancy, as the phenolic compounds in ginger, such as gingerol, shogaol and zingerone, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that facilitate the elimination of secretions and help to combat coughing.

Ginger tea can be prepared by placing 2 to 3 cm of fresh ginger root and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a pan with 180 mL of water, letting it boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain, add the lemon juice and let it cool. The ideal is to avoid exceeding a dose of 1 gram of ginger root per day, for a maximum period of 4 days in a row.