Taking things slowly during pregnancy is really important, and enjoying a cup of tea is a great way to do that! For tea lovers, drinking a nice blend, whether alone or in company, can be a relaxing and enriching experience. But in pregnancy, there are a number of ingredients that are best to avoid, so we need to be careful with our tea choices.
Tea Tonic has a number of naturopathic blends of herbal tea that include ingredients considered safe to drink during different stages of pregnancy, and post-partum. These pregnancy teas are naturally free of caffeine and come in unique and enjoyable flavours.
Explore our herbal blends that are safe* during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Apple-Tree Tea
Flavour: Naturally sweet, full-bodied apple with a crisp finish.
Pregnancy Benefits: Great for hydration and sugar cravings; caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants.
Ingredients & Benefits:
- Apple Pieces: High in antioxidants; helps support digestion and natural energy.
- Vitamin C: Enhances iron absorption and supports immune function.
- Citric Acid: Aids digestion and preserves freshness.
Blue Magic Tea
Flavour: Mild, floral and lightly sweet with rose and chamomile notes.
Pregnancy Benefits: High in antioxidants to support skin and eye health. Provides 3% of your iron RDI per cup—boost absorption with lemon.
Ingredients & Benefits:
- Butterfly Pea Flower: Antioxidant-rich; supports skin, hair, and eye health.
- Chamomile: Eases stress and aids sleep (safe in moderate amounts).
- Rose Petals: Soothing for mood and skin; naturally fragrant.
- Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus): Rich in iron, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. Believed to tone the uterine muscles, potentially making contractions more effective during labour. Also supports hormonal balance and may aid postpartum recovery.
Safety: Safe for use in the third trimester, however avoid in early pregnancy unless specifically recommended by your healthcare provider, due to its potential to mildly stimulate the uterus.
To Drink Post Partum:
Turmeric Beetroot & Ginger Tea
Flavour: Earthy and spiced with a warming, vibrant finish.
Pregnancy Benefits: Anti-inflammatory and restorative. Ideal post-illness or post-partum for recovery.
Ingredients & Benefits:
- Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory; supports immunity and healing.
- Ginger: Eases nausea and supports circulation.
- Beetroot: Boosts iron and supports liver function.
- Carrot & Moringa leaf: Nutrient-dense; supports eye health and energy. (Moringa leaf is safe during pregnancy, however moringa root and bark may cause contractions. This tea contains the leaf only)
- Fennel Seed: Eases digestion and bloating.
- Hibiscus: Can affect blood pressure so avoid during pregnancy, and for post-partum support, limit amounts. (Consult with your doctor before consuming.)
- Bilberries: High in antioxidants for eye and vessel health.
- Black Pepper: Enhances absorption of turmeric.
(Always check the full ingredient list before consumption and discuss with your healthcare provider.)
*Important Safety Note:
Whilst the ingredients in the above-mentioned teas are generally considered safe if taken in moderation during pregnancy, it’s important to research the ingredients yourself and discuss them with your general practitioner or qualified health care professional. Every pregnancy is unique, and certain tea ingredients may be best avoided if you experience certain health conditions.
Also be mindful of dosage. Overconsumption of any herbal tea should be avoided, because even safe herbs can have adverse effects in high doses. Limit any herbal teas to 1–3 cups per day and observe how your body responds.
Caffeinated Teas: Avoid or not?
Many people choose to avoid or limit caffeinated beverages during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as caffeine crosses the placenta, stays in the baby’s system longer than it does in an adult’s system, and has been linked to low birth weight, miscarriage, and disrupted fetal sleep patterns. This means some of the favourites, like English Breakfast, Earl Grey, and Green Tea, are best consumed in moderation or avoided.
If you do choose to drink caffeinated tea during your pregnancy, it’s recommended you limit your caffeine intake to 200 mg per day, which equates to approximately 4 cups of medium strength caffeinated tea.
Tea ingredients to avoid during pregnancy:
Aside from caffeine, the following ingredients are best avoided during pre-conception and pregnancy.
During both pre-conception and pregnancy:
- Sage: Contains thujone, which can be harmful in high doses.
- Tulsi (Holy Basil): Avoid during pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy, as it may affect hormone levels.
During pregnancy:
- Licorice Root: May raise blood pressure and affect hormone balance. (Particularly important to avoid if you have gestational hypertension or preeclampsia)
- Ginseng/Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Can cause hormonal effects and is best avoided during pregnancy.
- Skullcap: Could stimulate the uterus.
If you have gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, avoid any herbs that increase blood pressure.
For gestational diabetes, avoid teas that contain added sugars or overly-sweetened dried fruit.
Note: The above list of herbs to avoid during pregnancy is not exhaustive, and includes ingredients currently in certain Tea Tonic teas.
Tea Tonic Blends to Avoid During Pregnancy:
- Australiana Tea: Avoid drinking during the first trimester as this blend has a naturally occurring high volatile oil content and essential oils should be avoided during this stage.
- Licorice Lover Tea and Throat Soother Tea: Avoid drinking if you suffer from high blood pressure.
- True Calm Tea: May affect hormone levels during pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy, as it contains Tulsi (Holy Basil).
Note: There may be additional Tea Tonic teas that are best avoided during pregnancy, however as our product list is ever-changing, we may not have captured them all here. Again, our best advice is to carefully review the ingredients of any blend you choose and discuss the safety of its ingredients with your GP, OB or midwife.
Need extra support?
If you need help choosing the right pregnancy tea to support you through this exciting stage of life, drop us a line at teatonic@teatonic.com.au. We have tea blends for every taste and purpose – and we love talking tea!