Knowing what you can or can't drink or eat during pregnancy can be confusing and if you typically love to curl up with a cup of herbal tea, you might be wondering if you can continue to enjoy it while you're expecting.
Can you drink herbal tea while pregnant?
In short, yes but not all herbal tea. We know it's difficult limiting your caffeine fix when pregnant, no more large cups of coffee, or endless cups of builder's tea. So you're on the right track by replacing caffeine with herbal tea, but just be cautious when doing so. When it comes to herbal tea during pregnancy, natural doesn't always mean safe.
Most herbal and fruit teas are safe to drink in pregnancy, as long as you don't drink them in copious amounts, especially in your first trimester. One or two cups a day should be fine, just don’t drink them continually. This is because herbal teas contain smaller amounts of the same plant chemicals as herbal medicines and can therefore have an effect on your bodily state if taken in larger amounts when you are pregnant.
What you can do is mix it up and not drink the same herbal tea every day, try different flavours instead.
Which teas should you specifically avoid and why?
Find out about all the herbal teas you should steer clear of while pregnant.
Sage tea
Sage tea contains thujone, which has previously been linked to miscarriage and high blood pressure.
Raspberry leaf tea
Raspberry leaf tea is often taken around the 32 week mark by mums-to-be, as many believe it helps tone the muscles of your uterus. This, in turn, helps prepare your body for labour. However there are some circumstances when raspberry leaf tea is not recommended. Find out more about raspberry leaf tea.
