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Q: Is Drinking Tea While Pregnant Ok?
asked by: chantigeek on January 7th, 2007
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Hello, I am currently 10 weeks pregnant and sometimes I like to drink chamomile tea at night with a little honey before bed to help me sleep. I dont drink it all the time but I have been looking on the interent and there are very mixed answers regarding if herbal tea is safe or not. I do work in a coffee shop but I have not drank caffeine since I found out I was pregnant. Ok except haivng coke with my popcorn at the movies last week. So does anyone know if herbal tea is ok to drink?
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Mabel replied on January 7th, 2007
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Yes, herbal tea is fine to drink while pregnant.
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lil_blaze2004 replied on January 7th, 2007
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I think there are certain teas you have to be carefull with (my doc gave me a list of them) but I can't remember which ones. I'm pretty sure chamomile every once in a while is ok.
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Emma2 replied on January 7th, 2007
Extremely EHEALTHy
All herbal and natural teas are fine ..
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Kia replied on January 7th, 2007
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Sorry, but they aren't safe.

babycenter wrote:
many of the herbs used for teas, when taken in large or medicinal amounts, can potentially stimulate the uterus and induce miscarriage. These include anise, catnip, chamomile, comfrey, ephedra (called ma huang in traditional chinese medicine), european mistletoe, hibiscus, horehound, labrador, lemongrass, licorice root, mugwort, pennyroyal, raspberry leaf, rosemary, sage, sassafras, stinging nettle leaf, vetiver, and yarrow.

Although some midwives use raspberry leaf (also known as red raspberry leaf) to aid delivery, its effectiveness hasn't been proven. In any case, it should be used only near term and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Avoid the rest of the herbs in this list during pregnancy and lactation.

Note: you can still eat food that contains herbs like rosemary and sage, because the amounts used in food are generally much smaller than those used in tea — and not as potent (the brewing process for making tea concentrates the chemicals of the herbs).

Among other reasons to avoid certain herbs used in teas:
• coca (also known as mate de coca) contains small amounts of cocaine.

• comfrey, kava root, skullcap, valerian, and woodruff may damage your liver.

• lobelia contains nicotine.

• mate (or yerba mate) can contain as much caffeine as coffee.

None of these herbs should be taken while you're pregnant or nursing.
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Emma2 replied on January 8th, 2007
Extremely EHEALTHy
Hmmm I drank herbal tea and green tea during my entire pregnancy and my dr said they were safe and good for you...And my son is perfectly healthy....I dont buy every sinlge thing you find on the net....
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tigresacanela24 replied on January 8th, 2007
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I think that I wasn't allowed to have chamomile but there were plenty other herbal teas that I was permitted like apple-cinnamon, lemongrass, rosehip, blah blah blah. Ask your doctor for a list of safe herbal teas. Also when buying tea, check the label for the ingredients that are actually in the teas. Sometimes they include real tea leaves and that could mean that you're consuming caffeine. Sometimes other unsafe herbs are in the teas as well. Remember if in doubt, don't drink it!
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mayhi replied on January 8th, 2007
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Most teas are ok, but they recommend you avoid honey as it us not pasturised. You are supposed to avoid anything that is not pasturised during pregnancy as it is not a sterile food or drink and can cause problems.
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Mommy35 replied on January 8th, 2007
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Great point with the honey.
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mayhi replied on January 8th, 2007
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Thanks. My doctor told me to avoid it as well as apple cider as it is not pasturised as well. Its been hard to avoid the apple cider tho!!! But I have.

Take care!

Mary
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chantigeek replied on January 8th, 2007
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Thanks everyone. I was just wondering everyones opinion on the subject I guess for now I will stay away from honey be careful of what teas I drink until I go to my ob in 2 weeks. Thanks again:)
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