Pregnant, which tea to use and which to avoid?

Content:

1. General recommendations
2. The 5 tea rules for mothers
3. Tea alphabet

Tea can increase well-being and do the soul good. In general, this also applies to pregnant women. Especially during pregnancy, tea has a relaxing effect and can alleviate minor ailments such as digestive problems, a cold or problems falling asleep. In addition, the increased fluid requirement during pregnancy can be covered in a healthy way.

In winter, tea can bring cosy comfort and in summer it can be a welcome refreshment.

Many types of tea that everyone drinks in everyday life are not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Tea with caffeine, such as black tea or green tea and its subspecies, are not suitable for pregnant women because of their caffeine content.
As with any healthy diet, it depends on the variety. Eating spinach every day would not be healthy in the long run.  For all herbal tea blends, it is also advisable to drink only after consultation with a midwife or doctor.

The 5 tea rules for pregnant and breastfeeding women:

1. Only enjoy tea in small quantities and moderately (2 – 3 cups per day).
2. Pay attention to the list of ingredients, especially for herbal tea blends, look at the tea alphabet.
3. Variety: Do not always drink the same tea, even if it tastes good, but always change tea types. Not just one kind of tea a day.
4. Observe the recommended brewing temperature and brewing time. If the tea has brewed too long, do not drink it any more.
5. Be careful when choosing your tea. There are different types of tea for pregnancy and lactation, look at the tea alphabet.

With the golden mean and variety, women are well advised. In general, it can be said that only two to three cups of one type of tea per day should be drunk during pregnancy. The best form of fluid intake is to drink a variety of teas and in between to drink normal tap water or mineral water.

Pregnant women should enjoy variety of tea.

In addition to these recommendations, a note should be made: Some teas and tea blends can be drunk before, during and after pregnancy.
Some teas are suitable for getting pregnant (e.g. for ovulation) and should not be drunk during the first weeks of pregnancy, but can be drunk again beginning with week 37.

In other words, a tea can only be good for certain times. A pregnancy and also the lactation period is a process that always has different requirements regarding the type of tea and the ingredients.

Tea alphabet

Anise
Pregnancy is sometimes accompanied by digestive problems. A cup of tea or a herbal tea blend with anise can provide good soothing. As I said, a cup.

Balm
In folk medicine, balm is valued for many qualities, e.g. against colds and fever. On the other hand, it is a relief for a nervous stomach. Balm also manages to unite apparent opposites: it relaxes and strengthens.

Black tea
All teas with caffeine are not recommended for pregnancy or lactation.

Chamomile
Already in the morning the proverbial morning sickness? Everyone here knows that chamomile tea can help. Chamomile calms the stomach and relieves heartburn and burping at the same time.

Tip against morning sickness:
Always prepare chamomile tea the evening before and place it next to the bed in a thermos flask. Drink chamomile tea in the morning after waking up, but before getting up. In small, slow sips. The stomach is neutralised and lined with chamomile before it starts to move when you get up.

Fennel
Fennel is not an insider’s tip on a restless stomach. The fine oils soothe the stomach and heartburn is alleviated. Many women say that the scent of fennel tea alone has a calming effect. And pregnant women in particular can smell extremely good and be sensitive to scents.

Fruit tea blends
Fruit tea blends can be a welcome change from herbal tea blends. Pregnant women should be careful to choose fruit tea blends that are gentle on the stomach. More acidic ingredients such as in the hibiscus, the rose hip or sometimes in apples can overload the stomach, which is already strained by pregnancy.

Ginger
Ginger has become an indispensable ingredient in our kitchens. Ginger is supposed to strengthen the immune system as well as the general well-being. Ginger can also help against nausea, discomfort and have a laxative effect on constipation.

Attention:
From about 6 g per day, ginger is supposed to promote labour. Please note the list of ingredients for tea blends on the packaging.

Green tea
Like all teas with caffeine, green tea is not recommended during pregnancy or lactation.

Lavender
Lavender soothes body and soul, they say. Smells good and has a relaxing effect. Tea with lavender helps you to calm down and to fall asleep better.

Peppermint
Probably the most popular tea among herbal teas and is known to be effective against nausea. Attention for pregnant women: In higher doses peppermint tea stimulates and can lead to general restlessness and premature contractions. More than two cups per day are not recommended! It is better to drink fruit tea blends afterwards.

Raspberry leaves
Raspberry leaves should not be added to the cup from the 37th week of pregnancy. Be careful with tea blends. Read the list of ingredients. It is midwife knowledge that raspberry leaves loosen the pelvic floor and cause the cervix to open more easily.
So only drink when the new earthling is to be born.
Some midwives also recommend raspberry leaves for ovulation and fertilization due to their ability to loosen the pelvic floor.

Rooibos
The all-round tea from Africa without caffeine, Rooibos can be drunk during the whole pregnancy period as well as the lactation period. Its qualities as a relaxation aid and as a stomach-soothing tea make it as popular as its anti-inflammatory effect. Rooibos is also said to be rich in minerals.

Verbena
Especially recommended for the last weeks of pregnancy (from week 37). Verbena is known to produce milk and promotes labour. Verbena can also help with colds and nervous stomachs and should have an invigorating and calming effect.

These ingredients of teas and herbal tea blends should NOT be drunk during pregnancy:

• St. John’s wort and liquorice root can impair the growth of the baby as well as the well-being of the expectant mother.
• Blackberry leaves, vervain, lady’s mantle, raspberry leaves, cumin, passion flower, sage, yarrow and wormwood are said to promote labour. At the earliest take it from the 37th week of pregnancy, if this effect is desired.
• Draining ingredients such as birch leaves, stinging nettle, lovage, corn beard, parsley and celery should be avoided during pregnancy.
• Sage is said to reduce and inhibit milk production during lactation.
• All teas that contain caffeine.
• For tea blends, check the list of ingredients.