Can I Drink Dandelion Tea During Pregnancy?

Remember that one plant you’ve been weeding out for many years now? It has surprisingly myriad health benefits. 

The bright golden flowers are a rich source of Magnesium, Calcium, Beta-carotene, and many other essential nutrients.

They have been part of Chinese medicinal knowledge for many years.

Many sources can even confirm that grass was weeded out to make space for dandelions. 

While the dandelions can make a very potent tea, they are also harmful to people with medical complications.

Can you or can you not drink dandelion Tea? Most importantly, can you have it during pregnancy?

Let's find out!

1. What Is Dandelion Tea?

There’s one thing dandelions are still used for - Tea. But ‘weed tea’? 

Dandelions are among the most well-known tea ingredients, especially among pregnant women.

Dandelion Tea, alongside Raspberry Tea,  Raspberry Leaf Tea  (Pregnancy tea), Ginger tea,  Ashwagandha tea, Chamomile Tea, and others, is a popular choice for pregnant women.

Dandelion Tea can be made out of both roots and leaves of the magical garden weed.

Among other benefits, dandelion tea reduces water retention in the body and improves liver health to aid in better health during pregnancy.

Everything seems good, but can you have dandelion tea while pregnant?

2. Is Dandelion Tea safe for Pregnancy? 

There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the question - “ Is Dandelion Tea safe for pregnancy?”

And down the road, each and every question will be answered. So read ahead! 

Research shows that Dandelion tea can be beneficial in many ways. Ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians have cultivated Dandelions for medicinal benefits.

Dandelion tonics were a vital ingredient used in removing bodily toxins. Dandelions can also act as a diuretic to ease our digestive system by aiding the liver.

Dandelions are infamous for other reasons too. Dandelions can cause allergic reactions in your body.

Specialists say that consuming dandelion tea in moderate quantities is not bad for health.

Pregnant women can drink this tea only once in a day; anyway, moderation is quite significant here. Stop drinking dandelion tea if you notice any allergic reactions while you are pregnant, as it can lead to many health complications.


People who are usually allergic to herbs such as daisies, ragweeds, chrysanthemums, or marigolds are also allergic to dandelions. So if you’re having trouble with any of them, it’s better to avoid dandelions as well. 

We can never conclude if dandelions are entirely harmful or harmless for pregnancy.

Ideally, you should never be risking your health during pregnancy unless you’re sure of what you’re consuming.

Here’s what you can do - Consult your healthcare professional and get a quick check done. Obstetricians are your go-to doctors in such situations.

There’s more than just allergies to keep in mind while consuming dandelion tea, and we’ll dive into that right away. 

Though all herbal teas are natural, not all herbal teas are safe to drink during pregnancy. The Food Development Authority suggests pregnant women reduce herbal products or teas without the permission of health care professionals. So, preferably you should not consume dandelion tea during pregnancy. 

3. Dandelion Tea - Roots, Leaf and Stem 

Almost every part of the Dandelion herb can make a delicious and nutritious tea. Dandelion leaf and root tea are some of the most popularly consumed versions of dandelion tea while pregnant.

Dandelions are harvested in the early spring season when the nutritional value of the plant is stored in the root.

The lion-teeth-shaped leaves are harvested when the skies are clear during the summers.

The gentle sunlight draws energy into the leaves during these days.  

Both the root and the leaf have significant cleansing effects on the human body. They contain Vitamins A, B, C & D and improve the bile secretion in the gall bladder to remove toxins from the body.

Dandelions also have an antioxidant known as luteolin which helps prevent cancer.

This proves Dandelion root tea and pregnancy - a better love story than Titanic. 

4. The Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea during your Pregnancy

We’ve talked about this before. Dandelions are very nutritious. They’re rich in Vitamin A, Calcium, Luteolin, and Iron.

Altogether, they can make a nourishing drink for pregnant women. How?

We’ll explain that to you.

• Dandelions have evolved from sunflowers. They’re great for bladder health and urinary tracks, which are a few of the most sensitive parts of your body during pregnancies.
  
  
• Dandelion leaves can be an excellent addition to your salads. They contain more Vitamin A than carrots themselves. Freshly plucked leaves are relatively more nourishing than dried ones. If you’re looking to reduce the bitter taste, here’s a tip - use tender leaves for your tea.
  
  
• Better digestion can mean better embryo development. Dandelion Tea is one of the best-recommended beverages for the mother's digestion. Dandelion Leaves and roots enrich your third trimester as they impact water retention in mothers. They reduce the water weight, which helps in reducing the bloating for mothers during the later months of their pregnancy.
  
  
• Better Liver health. Who wouldn’t want a healthy liver?  Dandelion tea for liver cleanse  reduces the risk of liver-related diseases.
  
  
• Many studies show that Dandelions might have anti-carcinogenic potential. A reduced risk of cancer is an added advantage for you.
  Better health = Better pregnancy.

With so many benefits, you may want to include dandelion tea to your diet immediately but talk with your doctor to check for contraindications.

5. Is it safe to drink Dandelion Tea while breastfeeding?

Dandelions rarely cause allergic reactions or severe digestive impact. Like every other food or beverage, they’re harmless as long as they’re consumed in moderation.

There’s no strong research that answers the question - can you drink dandelion root tea while breastfeeding. Confused? We’re here to guide you. 

Here are a few symptoms/ side effects you can look out for-

1. Upset Stomach
2. Dermatitis (Common if you have sensitive skin)
3. Mouth sores or allergic reactions within the oral cavity
4. Dandelions are diuretic. They might cause disturbances within your medication cycle due to increased urination. 

Tip: It’s advisable not to consume dandelions if you’re currently under the medication of antibiotics, antacids, or lithium. 

A good suggestion would be to consult your healthcare professional and get a medical check done. If you’re good to go, start consuming dandelion leaves and roots in the form of tea in small quantities.

6. Nettle & Dandelion Tea: 6 Reasons why It's great for Pregnancy

We’re here to talk about Dandelions. So why nettles? We have in store the perfect beverage to consume during your pregnancy. ‘The Nettle and Dandelion Tea’ 

The stinging nettles pose a slight risk of uterine contractions. On the bright side, there are numerous possible benefits of nettles during pregnancy. 

1. Stinging nettles are rich in Vitamin A, C, and K.
   
   
2. Nettles are great for consumption during your lactation period. They’re rich in iron and increase blood flow in your body to prevent bleeding and hemorrhage, ultimately increasing the amount of milk a mother produces.
   
   
3. Nettles are anti-inflammatory. If you’re feeling body aches during pregnancy, Nettles might help you fight the pain.
   
   
4. Hay fever can be a common disease during your pregnancies. Research from 2009 shows reduced hay fever symptoms such as sniffing and sneezing after consuming nettles.
   
   

We have an alternative for a beverage that can enhance your breastfeeding - Nettle Tea.

Nettle tea  is a nourishing beverage that could help you with various nutrients during your pregnancies. A blend with the dandelion leaf and root tea will create the perfect blend for your consumption during your pregnancy. 

7. Three different Dandelion Tea recipes you can enjoy

Pregnancy is a challenging phase to go through. But a hot cup of tea in the evening while you rest your back is a great feeling even to dream about.

If you’re looking for recipes to make the perfect evening with a Dandelion Tea - you’ve reached the right place. 

Recommended Reading: Raspberry Leaf Tea Recipes For Pregnancy

Here are some nourishing yet easy-to-make recipes to make the perfect dandelion tea. 

7.1. Classic Dandelion Tea:

How to make dandelion tea? This classic dandelion tea recipe is all you need if you’re looking to avail of every last benefit that dandelions offer for your pregnancy. 

There are two ways to make a wonderful cup of Dandelion tea or coffee. 

First and the most simplest way is to use our  Dandelion Root Caffeine Free Coffee.

You can also use:  Dandelion Root Tea For Liver Cleanse

1. Add a teaspoon from one of our Dandelion collections.
2. Steep for 3-5 minutes
3. Add lemon or a spoonful of honey for taste.
   And that's it! Your cup of tea or coffee without brewing is ready in minutes, power-packed with all the goodness.

The second way to prepare is by following these steps. 

1. Collect two cups of dandelion (clean) into a saucepan or dandelion root tea. 
2. Pour in about 4 cups of water (change according to requirement).
3. Boil the water. 
4. Remove from the stove and keep it aside. 
5. Let the flavor blend into the water for 3-4 hours overnight. 
6. Filter out the leftover dandelion fiber from the tea and use the liquid for tea. 

You can use this liquid in whichever way you prefer. Try a sip and change it the way you want to have it. If it’s too concentrated, you can add water to dilute it. You can even refrigerate the liquid to consume it as dandelion iced tea. 

You’re good to go!

7.2. Iced Lime Dandelion Tea Recipe

What’s better than a hot cup of tea? An iced tea for your summers. No more beating around the bush. We’ll dive right into the recipe. 

1. Pick fresh dew-filled dandelions and dry them out on a spread-out sheet of paper. (Always remember to pluck only the yellow parts and the leaves of the dandelions)
2. Collect the pickings into a jar or a cup, pour 3 cups of boiled water, and stir well. (You can add dried stevia leaves or a sweetener if you have a sweet tooth) 
3. Let the mixture rest for at least 10 minutes. 
4. Strain the leftover herbs and let the mixture cool down. 
5. Add chilled water and lime juice to this mixture and stir well. 
6. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours and add in ice cubes if you want to add in a touch of aesthetic look for the tea. 
7. Your Iced Lime Dandelion Tea is ready to chill with you!

7.3. How To Make Roasted Dandelion Tea?

We saved the best for the last. Pregnancy can be tricky if you’re a coffee fan. You cannot consume caffeine anymore. We’re definitely not feeding you caffeine through this recipe. But we can help you with the taste. 

Meet ‘Roasted Dandelion Tea.’ It definitely isn’t coffee, but you can try this drink as an added health beverage during your pregnancy. 

Ingredients:

1. Dried dandelion roots - 4 tsp 
2. Water - 2 cups
3. Sweetener (Sugar or sugar-free)

Optionally you can add many extra ingredients to improve the taste. More on that ahead. 

Directions:

1. Use a medium-sized pot with dandelion roots at the bottom and light up the flame. 
2. Roast the roots. Keep toasting until you notice the fragrance along with the noticeable golden brown tint. 
3. Add water. Here’s where you can add additional flavors to your drink. Ginger, Cinnamon, vanilla extract, butter, or whipped cream are great options if you want to make your coffe….roasted dandelion tea taste better. 
4. Boil the water for about 35 - 45 mins.
5. Strain the solid waste from the mixture and drain the beverage into a pitcher. 

Tip: If you’re someone with a sweet tooth, you can add maple syrup or honey to make the mixture taste better.

Which brings us to the most asked question: Is roasted dandelion root tea safe for pregnancy? There’s no available evidence that roasted dandelion root tea is harmful to your health. Although there’s not much information available on the presence of allergens either. We can, however, assure you that consumption in small quantities will do no harm for a healthily pregnant woman. 

8. Precautions for consumption of Dandelion Tea: What to take care of before drinking Dandelion tea during Pregnancy?

From everything above, we can infer that Dandelions have a safe consumption index. Although, it might trigger a few allergic reactions in some of us. Let’s dig deep into this. 

In one line, do not consume dandelions without consulting your doctor, healthcare professional, or pharmacist. Suppose you’re suffering from a gall bladder or kidney inconvenience or disease. In that case, it’s advisable to avoid consumption until you receive a thumbs up from your doctor. 

Always remember to harvest the dandelion leaves when they’re young and tender. They’re most nourishing during this stage. When you are harvesting in the latter stages, you’re likely to find bitter ones. 

There are a few symptoms you might want to look out for - Abdominal pain, Symptoms of Diarrhoea, heartburn, and skin irritation. If you’re suffering from these, contact your doctor immediately and get a checkup done. 

9. So how do we conclude it?

Well, this might be confusing.

A warm cup of tea on a winter morning doesn't sound like a bad idea, right?

It's a nourishing drink with many benefits during your pregnancy.

It's loaded with essential nutrients and even antioxidants to be your backbone during the tough days of pregnancy. 

The only catch is that there are minimal chances of side effects.

All you need to do is book an appointment with your healthcare specialist and steer clear of these side effects.

Once you know you're immune to these effects, you're all set to enjoy the  dandelion tea  to ease your pregnancy days.