If you are a mama-to-be and pregnancy nausea, morning sickness or stomach discomfort are acting like your clingy noisy neighbors, your problem is about to get solved!
Let’s spill the ‘tea’ as we talk about some of the best teas for nausea during pregnancy.
Image credits: morningsickness.in
1. Pregnancy And Changes In Health
A lot of nausea-like symptoms are normal for pregnant women, especially in the first few months of it.
However, it is important to keep a note of all the unusual changes and take care of your body accordingly.
Major diet changes, changes in sleep cycle and frequent visits to the doctor become a new normal for newly pregnant women.
It is advised to keep your physical and mental health in check and take help as needed.
When talking about help, some of the common changes can also be eased out with the help of pregnancy teas and other home remedies (as long as you are careful), as here we are going to deal with pregnancy nausea!
2. Pregnancy Nausea - Why Does It Happen?
Nausea is usually characterized by stomach discomfort, abdominal pains and urge to vomit.
It is also called ‘morning sickness’ as it occurs in the early morning during pregnancy and it does get better as the day passes.
Other names of pregnancy nausea are:
- Pregnancy sickness
- Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP)
- Hyperemesis gravidarum (in severe cases)
Image credits: eMediHealth
Some of the causes of pregnancy nausea are:
- Presence of HCG hormones (the one that lets women know about pregnancy)
- Increase in Estrogen hormone (the female hormone)
- Lower blood pressure
- Certain foods and odors
Some of the evolutionary theories suggest that morning sickness is mother nature’s way of providing humans with instinctive toxin (or poison) avoidance mechanisms to keep the baby safe. (1)
Interesting, isn’t it?
3. Tea For Morning Sickness In Pregnancy: How Can It Help?
Let’s set the basic rule first: No medication or treatment without consulting a doctor!
Next, there are some remedial teas that can help.
Opting for a hot cup of tea can be an effective way to deal with any kind of stomach discomfort, especially nausea related.
If we talk about vomit during morning sickness, the body removes a lot of fluids apart from toxins and unwanted substances. This makes your body dehydrated and tired.
Teas come for rescue as there are so many ways to make it nutritious, safe, and healthy to restore the normalcy in your body.
We have worked our ways to come up with some of the ‘anti-nausea’ tea for pregnancy.
Image credits: Health Digezt
4. What Tea Helps With Pregnancy Nausea?
Ginger tea
When we talk about herbal teas, ginger tea cannot go wrong!
It is made with ginger root infusion with other ingredients and works best for pregnant women.
Ginger tea is also known for its benefits for fertility.
Studies have shown that ginger can relieve the nausea and vomiting caused by morning sickness, medications, surgery and even chemotherapy! (2)
Recipe: Simply grate a tiny piece of peeled ginger and soak it for 10–20 minutes in boiling water.
After that, drain the ginger and serve plain or with honey, cinnamon, or lemon.
Ginger tea bags are also available in your nearby stores.
Honey lemon tea
Who does not want a refreshing citrus flavor with a hint of sweetness that can also help deal with nausea?
How does it work?
Studies have shown that honey lemon tea provides an antibacterial guard against the infectious substances that may be acting up in your body to cause nausea. (3)
Moreover, the smell of lemon has also shown significant reduction in nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.
Works wonders, right?
Recipe: Add equal amounts (2-3 teaspoon) of honey and lemon extracts in a cup of hot water and stir it to drink.
Image credits: The Headlines Of Today
Peppermint tea
This one is already a very popular drink for nausea and vomiting.
Not just for tea during pregnancy, peppermint oil can also bring significant improvements in such situations.
Recipe: you can buy peppermint tea bags from local grocery stores.
To make your own, crush some fresh peppermint leaves and add in a cup of hot water, leave it for 10-15 mins and enjoy it.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile is known for its sweet and earthy flavor and healthy properties.
Studies have shown that chamomile extract was quite helpful in dealing with NVP and can gradually reduce the frequency, if consumed daily. (4)
At times, it has also been given priority over ginger tea.
Recipe: Add one tablespoon of chamomile extracts (dried) in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes.
Licorice tea
It is another herbal ingredient used for making tea and it has bittersweet flavor.
Licorice root teafor nausea during pregnancy can provide a number of benefits.
It is added in candies, beverages and chewing gums for its flavor and is still used in traditional medicine.
Studies have shown that small amounts of licorice extracts, if consumed daily, can help reduce the symptoms of ingestion, stomach pain, nausea, bloating and vomiting. (5)
However, some side effects have also been noted, thus, consulting a doctor is advised.
Fennel Tea
Fennel is a vegetable herb that comes from to celery, carrots and coriander family. It is known for its aromatic properties.
Fennel tea can be an excellent remedy for nausea during pregnancy.
It is used for treating upset stomach, diarrhoea and constipation and improving stomach health in general.
Recipe: add one teaspoon of fennel seeds into a cup of hot water and leave it to soak for about 5-10 minutes.
Stain it and enjoy!
Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet is one of the best digestive agents available.
It protects, relieves, reduces excess acidity and relieves nausea in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. (6)
Recipe: take 4 teaspoons of meadowsweet flowers and 2 teaspoons of blossoms. Add it into one cup of hot water and wait for 10 minutes to get the best flavour.
5. Other Things To Try
- Eat white cheese. It helps in slow digestion and reduces stomach acidity.
- Eat small meals all day long. Go upto 10 times a day. It helps.
- Keep saltine crackers with you to eat one as soon as you wake up.
- Eat like a baby: boring, bland and plain things like cereal, rice, yogurt, soft ripe fruits.
- Drink more water. Water can never betray!
Image credits: Andy Hayler
6. Things To Keep In Mind
Yep, we have given a lot more tea ideas than you asked for and you must be wondering what tea is good for pregnancy nausea finally?
How to choose the best?
Here is a checklist you can go through, before deciding for yourself:
- Discomfort relief
- Desired health benefits
- Caffeine content
- Desired Aroma
- Natural/herbal content
Also, some of the teas to NOT consume during pregnancy at all:
- Hibiscus tea
- Aloe vera tea
- Barberry tea
- Green tea
- Senna tea
It is best to keep the dosage of tea consumption in limit, usually it should not go beyond 2 cups a day.
Finally, we would advise you to always check with your professional healthcare provider before making the final decisions.
Image credits: findyourmomtribe.com
7. The Final Takeaway
With this article, by now, we hope you have found some good tea for pregnancy nausea to try.
However, you are not alone. Normal (not severe) morning sickness is a common thing for all the expecting women.
It can be taken as an evolutionary miracle as our bodies are designed to protect us.
