Pregnancy is only the first step in a series of responsibilities leading upto the upbringing and nourishing of a child.
This includes proper dietary restrictions and regular upkeep of essential nutrients of the mother for the overall development of the embryo.
During the pregnancy, the intake of different nutrients helps the body cope with the additional energy requirements such as Calcium for strong bones and teeth, Iodine for brain development, Folic acid to help prevent deformities and so on. (1)
However, you’re confused about the safety of various foods you consume in a day and looking up answers on the internet is confusing and sometimes misleading.
So, we’re here to help you out in one of the most consumed drinks of the day - tea.
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1. Herbal Tea - Is it Safe?
There are various dietary precautions one must follow when pregnant, which include limiting the consumption of caffeine, avoiding raw or uncooked meat/eggs, avoiding alcohol and pasteurised milk and so on.
One of the major controversies in the pregnant world surrounds drinking herbal tea.
Pregnancy tea is actually made by soaking various flowers, leaves or spices in hot water.
Depending on the type of ingredients used there are different types of pregnancy teas. The main distinction in terms of consumption for pregnant women is in terms of the presence of caffeine.
Caffeine can easily cross the placenta leading to difficulty in breaking it down by the undeveloped liver of the embryo.
Research suggests that high exposure to caffeine can lead to preterm births, low birth weight and birth defects.
These risks significantly reduce when pregnant women consume a maximum of 300 mg caffeine per day. (3)
That’s right. There are certain herbal teas which contain caffeine and might be harmful during pregnancy.
Most of the herbal teas such as Chamomile, fennel, mint, rose, ginger and so on are actually caffeine-free.
However, you have to look out for infusions such as Yerba Mate, Coffee, Guarana, and teas based on citrus flowers.
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2. Ginger and Fertility – Can Ginger Boost Fertility?
You are probably wondering what the connection between ginger tea and fertility is.
Diet plays an important role in the steps leading upto the pregnancy as well.
Ginger is one of the most beneficial herbs to help tackle infertility, and this is your sign to embrace ginger tea for fertility.
Ginger possesses a varied range of nutrients and vitamins, including Vitamin B5, B6, iron, copper, and so on. (5)
Ginger also contains potassium which plays an integral component in controlling blood pressure and heart rate. It also helps effectively relieve menstrual pains and is a safer option than its painkiller counterparts.
The safe dosage for ginger directed by the FDA is up to 4 grams of ginger daily.
However, research shows that the benchmark for safe consumption of ginger without any side-effects is 1000 mg of fresh ginger per day. This is the equivalent of 4 cups of ginger tea or 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger extract. (6)
3. Why Ginger tea a good option? - Benefits of ginger for fertility
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One of the most important ginger root benefits for fertility is improved blood circulation to the female reproductive organs. This aids in increasing the fertility by delivering essential nutrients and disposing of toxins.
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Since it’s high in antioxidants, it protects the ovaries and eggs from oxidative damage and stress. (7)
- Ginger tea benefits for fertility also include supporting a healthy inflammation response for women with uterine fibroids and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
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It also helps recover from muscle fatigue in pregnant women. Ginger for fertility in women can help relax your joints, bones and soothe your body.
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Research shows the effect of ginger on female fertility also includes improving blood sugar control in people with type-2 diabetes and obesity by reducing insulin levels, haemoglobin A1C, and triglycerides. (8)
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Ginger tea has proven to be effective in combating male infertility as well.
A recent study shows that ginger powder in doses of 250 mg twice a day after three months is effective in reducing DNA fragmentation. (9)
4. Recipes - How to make Ginger tea for fertility?
You can incorporate ginger into your diet in numerous ways.
One of the most feasible options is to relish it as tea.
- Wash and scrub the ginger roots.
- Cut 2-3 slices of ginger and place the slices of ginger into a pot or infuser with water, and steep for 5 minutes
- Strain your tea in a mug
- Stir to dissolve honey and lemon juice to your desired taste.
- Enjoy 1-3 cups per day.
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5. Other healthy Teas for Fertility
In addition to the wide-ranging nutrients, Red raspberry leaf contains Phyto-progesterone which increases the progesterone levels.
Some of the benefits of raspberry leaf tea:
1. Helps fight menstrual cramps
2. May help in delaying ovulation
3. Improves energy and promotes relaxation
4. Helpful during postpartum
5. May help in balancing your hormones
Peppermint is a soothing herb that helps strengthen your womb by balancing the hormones and regulating ovulation.
In addition to this, it is a natural stress reliever that significantly increases your chances of fertility. (11)
This tea is commonly used to tackle anxiety, insomnia, and irritability in pregnant women. 12
Nettle tea is made from leaves of the nettle plant. It is known for its numerous benefits during fertility.
In terms of fertility, the chlorophyll content of the nettle leaf helps maintain a healthy and toxic-free reproductive system.
Nettle tea recipe is very easy to make and you can even add lemon and honey for added flavour.
Due to the abundance of antioxidants, green tea for fertility is sought to increase the number of embryos by increasing the frequency and maturation of eggs.
It also helps tackle infertility in men by increasing the sperm motility and count.
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6. Precautions and Side effects
Even without the presence of caffeine, some herbal teas may pose a threat to pregnant women.
It is necessary to be well-informed about any and all possibilities of harm before it’s too late.
Precautions:
- Teas are neither rigorously tested nor regulated.
So, there’s always a risk of the presence of impurities such as heavy metals or potentially harmful unlisted ingredients.
Side-effects:
- Eucalyptus tea is known to induce nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting in very rare cases.
- Herbal tea is also likely to react with any medication you are taking which can lead to serious repercussions.
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Risk of Miscarriage:
Certain teas listed below may increase your risk of miscarriage or pre-term labour: 15
- Licorice root tea
- Fenugreek
- Sage
- Vervain
- Rosehip tea
- Motherwort
- Thyme
- Blue cohosh
- Black cohosh
- Pennyroyal
- Chamomile (in large amounts)
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Frankincense (in large amounts)
- Senna tea
- Hibiscus tea
Certain teas listed below may increase your risk of menstrual bleeding:
- Motherwort
- Lovage
- Frankincense
Certain teas listed below may increase your risk of birth defects:
- Motherwort
- Borage
7. Conclusion
Herbal teas in general are safe for consumption. However, there are exceptions to this as well.
For instance, avoiding certain teaswith high caffeine content can help prevent a lot of side effects and potential risks of pregnancy.
At the same time, certain herbal teas such as ginger have proven to be exceptionally good.
In addition to this, people aiming for pregnancy and fertility can also benefit from the consumption of peppermint, stinging nettle leaf tea, raspberry leaf tea, fennel, ginger and lemon for fertility.
However, do not forget to look out for any potential side effects while taking all the necessary precautions to avert risks.
An important point to remember in terms of fertility is that it’s not a one-stop solution, different people respond to different herbal teas so the key is perseverance.
