[Greaseball]

OK, I read that in What to Expect, so I don't think it's very accurate, but are there any teas which aren't safe during pregnancy? I like peppermint and Sleepytime, which is mostly chamomile.

 

[momto l&a]

What to Expect When your Expecting is not safe to be taken while pregnant.

:LOL

 

[MaWhit]

Lol, Erin. Too true!

Greaseball, the only teas I can think of right now that you'd want to avoid are any that contain licorice. I'm sure there are others, but I'd need to see the ingredients to know if they were safe. You do need to be just as careful with herbs while PG as with other meds...some are very unsafe while PG. You can't go wrong with homeopathics, though.

Pregnancy tea and red raspberry leaf tea are the best herbal teas for PG, IMO.

 

[tabitha]

lol. i totally agree. about what to expect whe you're expecting. i suggest you read "Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year" if you are looking for specific herbal recomendations. And drink lotsa raspberry leaf!

tabitha

 

[Queen of Cups]

so everyone gives red raspberry leaf a thumbs-up? I got some pregnancy tea (mostly rrl) at a local herb shop, but then got afraid to drink it b/c I kept reading that it can cause uterine contractions and even miscarriage. BUT I drank it before I was preggers to ease menstrual cramps and it really, really helped. So does it relax the uterus or make it contract? And, most importantly, is it really safe during the first trimester?

 

[MaWhit]

RRL tones the uterus which can mean different things for different people. If you are PG and having problems with an irritable uterus, painful and frequent BH contrax, or prolonged prodromal labor, it is a good idea to back off the RRL tea. Studies are conflicted about the first tri, so I'd wait until the second half of the second trimester to start drinking it. That's plenty of time for it to have healthy benefits while minimizing any potential risks.

 

[artemesia]

Pennyroyal tea is a big preggo no no, but I don't think it's something that most people curl up with on a chilly day anyway.

 

[bebe luna]

Another tea you should avoid while pregnant is Breathe Easy herbal tea~ it contains ephedra.
Teas containing licorice should be fine as long as you don't have high blood pressure.

 

[Wildcrafter]

Ditto on the pennyroyal and ephedra. Peppermint, Chamomile and Raspberry leaf are all fine during pregancy. You just can't get enough raspberry leaf during this time. The more the better.
Raspberry leaf tones the uterus.

Here's some other herbs you should avoid:
artemesia (wormwood)
pennyroyal
poke root
tansy
goldenseal
cascara sagrada
sage
thuja
(all of above herbs are either abortificants, uterine stimulants or have high content of alkaloids)
many essential oils (stick with peppermint only)
I think I would avoid hops as well, but can't quite remember why.

Here's a simple recipe you can make that's nutritious and delicious, with lots of calcium:
2 parts raspberry leaf
1 part peppermint
1 part nettles
1/2 part calendula
1/8 part hibiscus
(other good optional include dandelion leaf, calendula, rose hips & oatstraw)

Mary