Everything You Need To Know When Drinking Tea While Pregnant

Make no mistake - Peppermint Tea is the most popular type of herbal infusion around.

It comes from the aromatic, rhizomatous perennial plant botanically known as Mentha piperita, which produces light-purple flowers and green leaves with serrated edges.

It’s the leaves, in particular, used in the making of this delightfully refreshing and unmistakably herbaceous beverage.

Peppermint Tea is a prime example of a caffeine-free choice. If, then, you’re looking to avoid this stimulating chemical compound, you’ve come to the right place.

Furthermore, evidence indicates that it can aid digestion while helping with nausea and vomiting. That’s why many pregnant women choose it for treating morning sickness during the first trimester.

Rooibos is a herb that grows exclusively in the Cederberg region of South Africa. It comes from the perennial Aspalathus linearis plant, a member of the Fabaceae (Legume) family.

The indigenous people of the area have, for several centuries, applied Rooibos Tea Benefits to their daily lives. Now, however, it’s popularity is spreading elsewhere, particularly among health-conscious individuals. 

When it comes to drinking Tea when pregnant, Rooibos should be high on the list of choices. This is because, like Peppermint Tea, it is 100% caffeine-free.

What’s more, this delectable brew is an excellent source of iron, and can also help in reducing morning sickness. Just be sure to moderate your consumption of it as it isn’t without side effects.

It’s probably dangerous to generalise and say that EVERY Herbal Tea is safe to drink during pregnancy.

With this in mind, we’ll use the above question to advise AGAINST a few. We’ve already mentioned Vervain and Liquorice Tea, both of which should be avoided when carrying a child.

Then there is Nettle Leaf Tea, which might lead to uterine contractions or a miscarriage.

Other herbal infusions to steer clear of include Dandelion Root, Sage, Cinnamon, Ginseng, Hibiscus, Turmeric Root, Thyme and Yerba Mate.

Be sure to check with a doctor, nurse or another health professional if you have any concerns. Here at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, the welfare of our customers is our main priority.

Camomile is almost as popular as Peppermint Tea. It originates from the Asteraceae/Compositae, of which there are two varieties: German Camomile and Roman Camomile.

Both boast sweet, floral flavours when brewed as a Herbal Tea. Both likewise come with Camomile Tea Benefits, which include improved sleep, anxiety relief and reduced menstrual discomfort.

This beverage, however, is one to AVOID if you’re drinking Tea when pregnant. The primary reason for this is its anti-inflammatory properties, which can pose a risk to expectant women.

Although some believe that consuming Camomile in moderation is safe, we recommend you err on the side of caution. There are, after all, plenty of other choices available!

You’ll likely know by now that Black Tea is one of the four primary types from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference between this variety and the others happens at the factory, whereby it undergoes a significant amount of oxidation.

This process alters the chemical structure (and taste!) of the leaf, while also increasing the caffeine levels.

We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again - caffeine is the primary concern when it comes to drinking Tea when pregnant. Black Tea contains the highest amount of caffeine, thus making it one to be wary of.

If, however, you can monitor your intake, the risks lower dramatically. Try to consume NO MORE THAN four cups of Black Tea daily to ensure the safety of you and your child.

Infusions made from dried fruits and (SOME) spices appear to be mostly safe for expecting mothers. The reason for this is relatively obvious - fruit is healthy, nutritious and recommended to pregnant women.

Brewing these ingredients might, admittedly, diminish their wealth in vitamins and minerals. However, for the most, they make for an excellent alternative to “real” Tea.

We stock several types of Fruit Tisanes here at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. This includes (but is not limited to) Tropical Fruit Tisane, Organic Red Fruits Tisane, Cherry Compote Fruit Tea and Forest Fruits Tea.

Each one has something unique, indeed extraordinary, to offer. And perhaps best of all, each one is great for drinking Tea when pregnant.

Around 20% of the world’s Tea drinkers choose Green Tea, an only partly oxidised beverage that closely resembles the plant’s natural appearance and taste.

Like Black Tea, it comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, although it undergoes only minimal processing. It has a distinct grassy flavour when brewed, as well as, of course, Green Tea benefits.

But what about Green Tea and Pregnancy? It is, for the most, good news. Providing you drink no more than five cups daily, this brew can support the health and wellbeing of pregnant women in several ways.

Nevertheless, there also remain a few risks. Green Tea could, for instance, interfere with the absorption of folic acid, an essential nutrient for preventing neural tube defects like spina bifida.

Echinacea Tea comes from the perennial, herbaceous, flowering plant of the same name. It belongs to the daisy family, often growing to up to 1.4 metres (approx 4.5 feet) high.

The leaves, in particular, are the component used for brewing, which produce a distinctly smooth, fresh flavour. In terms of drinking Tea when pregnant, specifically Echinacea, there is little evidence for or against. 

Indeed, no specific studies exist on the safety of drinking Echinacea Tea while pregnant. However, it’s worth noting that there are no studies suggesting it’s unsafe, either.

If you have any concerns, it’s vital to seek medical consultation before drinking this Herbal Tea during pregnancy. In other words, listen to the experts - they naturally know best!

The term “decaffeination” refers to the removal of caffeine from Tea and Coffee. As a result, choosing a Decaf product is no doubt one of the best options available when pregnant.

There are, however, a few false rumours surrounding this type of Tea - the main one being that it is 100% void of caffeine. Unfortunately, this isn’t true; Decaf Tea does, in fact, have trace amounts of caffeine. 

The CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) decaffeination process is the safest and most efficient method, accounting for approximately 98% of caffeine content. This means that 5-10 milligrams remain - an admittedly minimal amount when it comes to drinking Tea when pregnant.

So, although you should bear this fact in mind, Decaff Tea is, generally speaking, safe.

This much-loved spice, known botanically as Zingiber officinale, is a member of the Zingiberaceae family. When made into a Herbal Tea, it has bold peppery notes with zesty overtones.

There is nothing quite like it in terms of taste and Ginger Tea Benefits. There is also much evidence to indicate that it supports pregnant women in their daily lives.

The reason for this is its ability to aid digestion. According to research, just one gram of ginger may reduce nausea and vomiting.

On average, Ginger Root Tea contains five grams of ginger per 8 oz cup - so even better! And if that wasn’t enough, this remarkable beverage also supports the immune system, thus warding off colds and even the flu.

Lemongrass Tea derives from two plants native to Asia: Cymbopogon flexuosus and Cymbopogon citratus. Both belong to the Cymbopogon genus, although it’s the latter, in particular, that we use for our beverage.

This is a tall, perennial grass that often grows in thick clusters, sometimes reaching three metres (approx ten feet) high. As its name suggests, it has a distinctly lemony taste.

Once again, this is one to AVOID during pregnancy. It contains two chemical compounds, citral and myrcene, that can cause adverse side effects on mothers-to-be.

The risk is that these constituents can hamper the skeletal development of the foetus and even lead to a miscarriage. We repeat - DO NOT drink Lemongrass Tea if you’re expecting.

Matcha is a variety of either Green or White Tea. What makes it different from your usual cuppa is the fact that it has been ground into a fine powder.

This extraordinary processing method has a significant influence on the taste and texture of Matcha, as well as its Matcha Tea benefits. Indeed, according to research, it contains 137 times more antioxidant strength than “regular” Green Tea.

That isn’t the only thing it has more of, though. There is also greater amounts of caffeine in Matcha, which means you should limit your intake of it all the more, too. Two cups daily should be fine.

Any more, however, and you risk experiencing adverse side effects. If in doubt, it might be best to search for an alternative at least until after your pregnancy.