Peppermint Tea in Pregnancy (Is It Safe?)
Pregnant women should be aware of what they drink during pregnancy and avoid caffeinated beverages as much as possible. Peppermint tea is a kind of herbal tea that can be a healthy and good alternative to caffeinated beverages during pregnancy. Peppermint tea in pregnancy doesn’t negatively impact the growing fetus and can be a good option to add to your diet plan while pregnant. Read this article on Hipregnancy to obtain more information about this type of herbal tea.
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What is peppermint tea?
The peppermint plant is considered a native plant to Asia and Europe. This aromatic herb can be used in various ways, such as making tea, foods, creating essential oils, toothpaste, etc.
Peppermint tea falls into the category of the best tea for pregnancy and is a kind of herbal tea made from steeping dried or fresh leaves of peppermint plant. A mint tea made with the peppermint leaves is called peppermint tea.
This kind of aromatic tea can positively impact both mom and the unborn baby during pregnancy. Consuming peppermint tea in pregnancy can treat stomach disorders and makes you feel relaxed during a sensitive period of pregnancy.
Also Read: Chamomile Tea Pregnancy
Is peppermint tea safe during pregnancy?
You may wonder: Can I drink mint tea while pregnant? It is vital to mention that there is not much information about consuming herbal tea while pregnant, so it is important to consult your doctor about it. But in general, peppermint tea is considered safe during pregnancy, and a popular choice among pregnant women, but it should be taken in moderation.
As you know, pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake during pregnancy. Because of that, drinking caffeinated beverages like black tea, green tea, or oolong tea should be avoided as much as possible during pregnancy. Pregnant women can drink certain types of herbal tea, such as peppermint tea, instead of caffeinated ones.
If you want to add this type of tea to your diet, you should consume it in typical amounts, about 1-2 cups a day, because drinking large amounts of peppermint tea while pregnant can upset your stomach and negatively impact your baby. [1: healthline]
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Health benefits of peppermint tea during pregnancy
Here are some benefits of drinking peppermint tea in pregnancy, including;
- Being caffeine-free
According to American Pregnancy Association, any level of caffeine during pregnancy harms the growing baby. So, it is better to limit your caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Peppermint tea is a caffeine-free beverage and a healthy option for those who do crave hot drinks during pregnancy and want to replace pregnancy-safe drinks with caffeinated ones.
- Helping with pregnancy symptoms like nausea & vomiting
Many women suffer from nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness during pregnancy. Consuming peppermint tea during pregnancy can reduce these types of common discomfort and can be a good option for making you feel better by curing vomiting and nausea.
- Improving immune system
During pregnancy, the immune system is compromised due to keeping the mother’s body from rejecting the fetus. Because of the weak immune system, viral infections like cough, cold, and influenza may happen in pregnant women. Peppermint tea in pregnancy can boost the immune system and fight infections due to its antibacterial effect.
- Treating respiratory issues
This kind of herbal tea serve as an antispasmodic and helps relax your throat muscle and chest. Drinking peppermint tea while pregnant is a good option to relieve flu and cold symptoms and also reduce chest pain.
- Improving digestive health
According to National Health Service, the stomach has less room during pregnancy, and food has a harder time digesting. Peppermint tea is a good option for treating gastrointestinal disorders and helps women suffering from indigestion. It can calm the stomach and relieve unwanted irritation during pregnancy.
- Reducing stress levels
Peppermint oil is an effective substance used in aromatherapy. In addition, consuming peppermint tea in pregnancy acts as a refreshing beverage and helps those women who are anxious or stressful. It relaxes your body muscles, reduce your blood pressure and body temperature. [2: momjunction]
Also Read: hibiscus tea while pregnant
Side effects of peppermint tea in pregnancy
One of the common queries of pregnant ladies to their healthcare provider is: “Can peppermint tea cause miscarriage?” Let’s continue to discuss the answer to this question.
Peppermint tea is pregnancy-safe tea, but in some cases, it can have negative side effects. It is not proven that peppermint tea leads to miscarriage, but it is recommended that women who have experienceed one or more miscarriages should avoid consuming this herbal tea, at least until the end of the first trimester, due to excessive bleeding caused by drinking peppermint tea.
Excessive bleeding is the main cause of preterm labor and can put you and your baby at risk. Therefore, it you should be cautious about drinking peppermint tea pregnancy if you have a history of miscarriage. You should speak with your doctor or healthcare professional about whether you can add this herbal tea to your diet.
In addition, communing large amounts of peppermint tea can lead to low heart rate, drowsiness, muscle pain, and sudden tremors. Also, it can cause allergic reactions and increase their frequency. Please take it into consideration that drinking peppermint tea, alongside the medicines which are mandatory during pregnancy, may be the main cause of chemical reactions among pregnant women. [3: babygaga]
How to prepare and serve peppermint tea in pregnancy
Here are some recipes that you can use to make this kind of herbal tea at home;
Tea | Ingredients | How to prepare? |
Simple Peppermint Tea | 1 cup of water, 1 spoonful of dried peppermint leaves, honey to taste | – Boil a cup of water in a bowl. – Add one spoonful of dried peppermint leaves to the boiling water. – Let the aroma get into the water. – Remove the bowl from the stove – Strain the tea and add honey to make it tasty. |
Licorice Peppermint Tea | 1 spoon of dried peppermint leaves, 1 spoonful of dried licorice, 1 cup of water, honey | – Boil water in a bowl. – Add the dried licorice and peppermint leaves to the bowl – Let them steep for 3-5 minutes – Strain the tea and add honey |
Ginger Peppermint Tea | 1 spoon dried peppermint leaves, fresh ginger shreds, 1 cup of water, honey | – Boil one cup of water in a pan or bowl – Add dried peppermint leaves and fresh ginger slices to the water. – Let them steep for 3 to 5 minutes. – Strain the tea and add honey. |
Peppermint tea while breastfeeding
Peppermint tea contains menthol, which can cure skin acne, stomach issues, sore throat, etc. according to studies, menthol can pass into breast milk, but doesn’t natively impact the milk supply or the baby.
However, Hipregnancy recommends you moderate your peppermint tea intake while breastfeeding to stay safe from any possible dangers. In other words, moderation is always key while consuming anything during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Moreover, you should consult your doctor before including this herbal tea in your diet to ensure nothing will risk your newborn’s health.
Conclusion
Herbal teas can be great alternatives to caffeinated teas like black tea during pregnancy. Peppermint tea is one of those pregnancy-safe teas. Drinkig peppermint tea in pregnancy provides several health benefits, such as boosting the immune system, improving digestion, reducing anxiety, etc. Also, it is a good option for those who suffer from morning sickness while pregnant.
Although drinking peppermint tea when pregnant is safe, it should be taken in moderation and preferably based on your doctor’s instructions because drinking this tea in large amounts may cause health issues like a miscarriage.
If any questions about peppermint tea and pregnancy still need to be answered, share them with us via comment.
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FAQs
1. Can you drink peppermint tea while pregnant?
You can drink mint tea while pregnant, but should moderate your intake to prevent its possible dangers.
2. Is it good to drink peppermint tea pregnancy first trimester?
Generally, peppermint tea is considered safe for pregnant women, but if you are concerned about its possible dangers, it is best to avoid drinking it in the first trimester.
3. Can you drink peppermint tea pregnancy third trimester?
It is okay to drink peppermint tea in the third trimester, but moderation is key while having this tea during pregnancy.
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