Tea and Pregnancy

[Rockprincess]

The information in books is a little confusing, so I thought I'd ask here, where some people stand the chance of having some herbal knowledge.

What To Expect When You're Expecting says that Green Tea may inhibit cell growth, but everywhere else I've read says only that you should watch how much you drink to avoid excess caffeine intake. Does anyone have reliable information on this?

Also, what herbal teas are safe, and which ingredients should be avoided at all costs?

[skilly-nilly]

Also, what herbal teas are safe, and which ingredients should be avoided at all costs?

Be cautious, but don't over-research yourself. Pick one source-book and follow it. Probably, a specific pregnancy book will be too negative. Try the library for an encyclopedic herbal book--German research is very carefully documented and they do a lot of it (herbal medicine is very big there and always has been so they have a lot of time studies and many many subjects) so maybe you can find one that uses those references.

As a rule of thumb, anything that is for 'women' or for 'muscle pain' would be likely to have an effect on the womb (a big female muscle) and should be avoided. I would think that the standards, the herbs that are 'food-like', mint camomile ginger rose-hip hibiscus fruit/berry would be safe, but individually check first.

Don't make yourself crazy cross-checking, pick a source-book and stick to it.
Here's a weeder (that's a term I use for a known fact that I check unknown resources with)
Pennyroyal is an abortifact--look it up in your source to check how reliable it is.

_cloud9_ , skilly-nilly

[Rockprincess]

Thanks Skilly :)

I actually know that chamomile is dangerous, so I'll stay away from it. I'll look for some german info :hugz:

[HorseCrow]

Herbs to Completely Avoid During Pregnancy:

Aloe Vera
The leaves are strong and should not be taken by mouth.

Arbor vitae (Thuja occidentalis)
A uterine and menstrual stimulant that could damage the fetus.

Autumn crocus (Colichicum autumnale)
Can affect cell division and lead to birth defects.

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Contains high levels of berberine, known to stimulate uterine contractions.

Basil oil
A uterine stimulant; use only during labor.

Beth root (Trillium erectum)
A uterine stimulant; use only during labor.

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosus)
May lead to premature contractions; avoid unless under professional guidance. Safe to use during childbirth.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
A uterine stimulant that in quite small doses also causes vomiting.

Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance. Safe to use during childbirth.

Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
Causes uterine contractions so should be avoided during pregnancy; in parts of Europe it is given after the birth to prevent blood loss.

Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus)
Interferes with hormone production in the pituitary gland, best avoided.

Clove oil
A uterine stimulant used only during labor.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Contains toxic chemicals that will cross the placenta; do not ingest orally.

Cotton root (Gossypium herbaceum)
Uterine stimulant traditionally given to encourage contractions during a difficult labor, but rarely used medically today.

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
Uterine stimulant

Dong quai (Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis)
Uterine and menstrual stimulant, best avoided during pregnancy; ideal after childbirth.

False unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum)
A hormonal stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Uterine stimulant; may cause premature contractions.

Golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Uterine stimulant; may lead to premature contractions but safe during childbirth.

Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus)
Uterine stimulant; may cause premature contractions.

Juniper and juniper oil (Juniperus communis)
A uterine stimulant; use only during labor.

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla xanthoclora)
A uterine stimulant; use only in labor.

Liferoot (Senecio aureus)
A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals that will cross the placenta.

Mistletoe (Viscum album)
A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals that may cross the placenta.

Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris)
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.

American pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides)
Reputed uterine stimulant to be avoided during pregnancy.

European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.

Peruvian bark (Cinchona officinalis)
Toxic used in excess may cause blindness and coma. Used to treat malaria and given during pregnancy only to malaria sufferers under professional guidance.

Pokeroot (Phytolacca decandra)
May cause birth defects.

Pseudoginseng (Panax notoginseng)
May cause birth defects.

Pulsatilla (Anemone pulsatilla)
Menstrual stimulant best avoided during pregnancy; limited use during lactation.

Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Uterine and menstrual stimulant; may cause premature contractions.

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects.

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
A uterine stimulant; use only during labor.

Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum)
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.

Squill (Urginea maritima)
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects.

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects.

Wild yam (Diascorea villosa)
A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance; safe during labor.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum)
A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.

[Ceres]

fantastic and comprehensive list horsecrow!

[Rockprincess]

Thank you very much HorseCrow! That's excellent. Do you have any comment on green tea specifically?

[mothwench]

i'm checking some herbal sites right now... skilly's right by the way, regarding herbs, i always find better info in german for some reason.

anyway, most of these are saying that green tea is even recommended during pregnancy, cause it's rich in zinc.
try a translator on these:
http://www.heilpflanze.ch/gruentee.htm
http://www.nabbefeld.de/olav/tee/tee_gru3.html

[HorseCrow]

Thank you very much HorseCrow! That's excellent. Do you have any comment on green tea specifically?

I would say it is fine, I would éven say it is good.. Green tea is fine- coffee is the one to watch out for, in fact avoid it all together.

[CeSeun]

I am a Pre-natal Aerobics Specialist and one of my topics with my clients is nutrition. I strongly suggest that my ladies look into drinking some Herbal/Organic Red Raspberry Leaf Tea. Here is why:

Red raspberry leaf tea is the most widely used and safest of all pregnancy herbs. Benefits include improved fertility, decreased risk of miscarriage and hemorrhage, less morning sickness, a faster and easier labor and enhances production of breast milk. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals.

Red raspberry leaf tea is a wonderful herb for women and is especially helpful in pregnancy. It is safe and nutritive; high in calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins B, C, and E. It is high in an alkaloid called fragaine which helps tone and strengthen pelvic muscles. Red Raspberry also aids in cleansing the afterbirth.

I would use one to two teaspoons of herb per cup of hot water steeped for 20 minutes and drunk freely throughout the day. Also, don't forget to drink you regular - plain old water.

Any other questions let me know....I hope this helps.

[StephanieAine]

My only comment about green tea would be that it's probably fine. Maybe even healthy when you're pregnant. My aunt is from Japan (married my uncle when he was in the military overseas, many, many years ago) - and I think she *always* drank green tea, and encouraged all of us to do the same. I've never heard of Japanese women *not* drinking it - or not drinking it during pregnancy... I have the impression that they drink it from their youth all the way through elderhood. The Japanese have a wonderful lifespan, which has been attributed to all of the tea they consume. So if your OB/GYN & midwife haven't warned you to avoid it, I think it would probably be quite good.

[HorseCrow]

I strongly suggest that my ladies look into drinking some Herbal/Organic Red Raspberry Leaf Tea.

My opinion exactly, only I find the best effect when combined with nettles as well. Nettles and red rasberry are my favorite herbs when it comes to pregnancy.

[CeSeun]

My opinion exactly, only I find the best effect when combined with nettles as well. Nettles and red rasberry are my favorite herbs when it comes to pregnancy.

Ohhhh! I like! I will definitely look into that! Thanks :ballonsmi

[Cinnamon Girl]

In addition to the excellent advice you've already received, a really good book on herbs and use during pregnancy is Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0961462000/qid=1106377411/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-2160405-0043222?v=glance&s=books&n=507846). It reviews which herbs are beneficial, at what times, how to use them, and which ones should be avoided.

[celestrialdragon]

I was told to not drink the red raspberry tea. That it can cause contractions if you drink it early on. That is should not be taken untill after the baby is born to help your uterus go back to its normal shape, as it causes contractions. I have also read this too. I never heard of anyone to actually sugest to drink it while pregnant. I would like to know were you get your information from. Thanks.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Here are some sites with information on the use of red raspberry leaf and pregnancy:

http://konzababy.tripod.com/RRL.htm

http://www.motherandchildhealth.com/raspberry_tea.html

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0826/is_2_20/ai_113935571

http://members.aol.com/kristachan/rrl.htm

Of course, you should consult with your doctor/midwife about taking any herbal supplements or medicines during pregnancy.

[HorseCrow]

I was told to not drink the red raspberry tea. That it can cause contractions if you drink it early on. That is should not be taken untill after the baby is born to help your uterus go back to its normal shape, as it causes contractions. I have also read this too. I never heard of anyone to actually sugest to drink it while pregnant. I would like to know were you get your information from. Thanks.

Red rasberry tea is very good during pregnancy- it tones the uterus, preparing it for birth, and it contains vital nutrients/minerals/vitamins. When you take it during pregnancy, you do not take it in large, strong doses like you would after birth. Rasberry is very mild- which is why you can use it during pregnancy. In fact, it is one of the most used and recommended herbs for pregnancy. I find it best in the third trimester.

[celestrialdragon]

Thank you HorseCrow for that information.

[Rockprincess]

Wow, what a helpful lot of information. Thank you everyone! :smoochypo