Herbal Teas for Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an extraordinary time for a woman to learn about her body. As another human being is growing inside of her, a woman’s body is changing rapidly to support and nurture not one life but two!
Herbal teas provide a gentle mechanism to support a woman’s journey through pregnancy by: decreasing symptoms that may cause discomfort such as nausea, tonify her uterus as she prepares to give birth, and support the postpartum period by encouraging relaxation and additional nourishment.
The following are a few examples of herbal teas that are safe and easy to prepare during pregnancy.
Ginger Tea (Zingiber officinale) This spicy flavored root provides relief from morning sickness: especially nausea. Ginger root contains volatile oils that are carminative which has a soothing effect on the stomach and digestive system which may be upset due to the changing hormones that occur during early pregnancy.
Ginger Tea is easy to make. Cut a piece of fresh ginger root about the length of your pinky finger. Grate or chop into small pieces. “Decoct” or boil the root in 10 ounces of water for 5 minutes. Let cool. Adding honey and lemon to taste is also an option. Ginger tea taste delicious cold as well. A larger quantity can be made and stored in the refrigerator. Mom-to-be has a ready supply for the morning or anytime she feels the need.
Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) Raspberry is known in the herbal world as the “partus preparation”- the birth preparer- as its constituents are tonifying to the muscles of the uterus. Raspberry tea can be taken throughout the first two trimesters of pregnancy. During the last trimester, Raspberry tea is cautioned as it may bring on contractions. 2-3 cups per day supports uterine muscle tone.
Both the leaves and fruit of the raspberry plant are used in tea. Raspberry tea is available in tea bags, or can be purchased in bulk. One tablespoon of bulk tea leaves can be placed in 16 ounces of hot water and infused (steeped) for 5-7 minutes. Honey and lemon or orange slices adds a delicious taste to this beverage.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) A member of the mint family, Lemon balm is a mineral-rich relaxing tea that supports the nervous system. Lemon balm is gentle and can be taken throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Adding Milky Oats and Stinging Nettle herbal teas during the postpartum period, provides additional nourishment. Prepare Lemon balm as a hot infusion: one heaping tablespoon of leaves in 16 ounces of hot water. Add honey for taste. A delicious beverage served cold.
Dandelion Tea (Taraxacum officinale) Yes! The yellow-headed popular weed has a medicinal use to support the childbearing year. Dandelion is a highly effective detoxifying herb. It also acts as a gentle laxative for times of constipation that women experience during pregnancy and postpartum.
Both the leaf and root of the dandelion plant is used in tea. Leaves are infused or steep in hot water. Roots are decocted or boiled. Dandelion leaf is also popular in mixed green salads as an excellent source of folate that is recommended for fetal development. For constipation, drink 3 cups per day. Dandelion works gently and does not cause the bloating and other digestive upsets that stronger laxatives may cause.
For additional information on herbal teas and remedies for pregnancy, consider these great books:
Healing with the herbs of life, by Leslie Tierra.
Herbal Remedies for Women, by Amanda McQuade Crawford
Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal, by Rosemary Gladstar.
About the Author:
Charlene Marie Muhammad, M.S., is a clinical herbal practitioner. She has been embracing the spirit of herbal medicine for over eighteen years. Charlene cultivated her practice within her family and community, nurturing her two sons with herbs since birth. Charlene is also an early childhood educator and is certified as a childbirth Doula through the International Childbirth Education Association. A graduate of Cornell University, Charlene holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Herbal Medicine from the Tai Sophia Institute for the Healing Arts.