Infusions during pregnancy

Herbal infusions, in general, do not contain caffeine, except tea, whether black, green or red, but their safety during pregnancy is not fully proven. Unlike drugs, which are investigated in depth and based on those investigations, approved or not by the relevant agency, infusions, or herbal medicin

Herbal infusions, in general, do not contain caffeine, except tea, whether black, green or red, but their safety during pregnancy is not fully proven.

Unlike drugs, which are investigated in depth and based on those investigations, approved or not by the relevant agency, infusions, or herbal medicines, are not, so that little is known about the side effects what they could cause. What infusions can or can not be taken during pregnancy

In the case of some of them, such as

of chamomile , there are not enough studies in humans to tip the balance to one side or the other, not even the scarce ones that there are in animals, can clarify this issue, but given its history of use over the years, it tends to be assumed to be safe. Chamomile can be useful to improve insomnia situations in pregnant women, since it promotes relaxation.Other herbs, such as

aloe vera, pennyroyal, dandelion, sagebrush, calendula or ginseng, have high chances of being unsafe in pregnancy, so they should be avoided, since the fetus can be compromised with the arrival, via the placenta, of certain substances. In particular, pennyroyal leaves contain a monoterpene that has been linked to abortions and toxic properties at the level of the liver and kidneys, so, although its amount in infusion is much lower than in the essential oil, it is safer Avoid its consumption during pregnancy. If they are potentially safe

the infusions of ginger, thyme, anise, rooibos, or the infusion of raspberry leaves . The infusion of nettles is safe as long as only the leaves of the plant are used, and not the roots. Rooibos has a large amount of antioxidants, infused ginger can help with morning sickness during the first months of pregnancy and the infusion of raspberry leaves can help contractions in the delivery be more effective, so it is recommended not take it until week 38 of pregnancy. The infusion of nettles is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and potassium and vitamins A, C and K. It also has stimulating effects on the uterus, so it is recommended not to take it during the first trimester and not do it in very large quantities. elevated during the second.However, there are no studies that prove the safety of any of them at 100%, so, in any case, it would be advisable to reduce consumption to a minimum.

Effects of tea on pregnant women

As for teas, they all contain caffeine, approximately 40-50mg per cup, depending on the infusion time. In general, the results of studies conducted in pregnant women conclude that doses higher than 200 mg of caffeine daily increase the risk of miscarriage and premature delivery, so it is not recommended to exceed this dose. In addition, caffeine is processed in the liver, so in pregnancy, when it already performs other essential functions such as endocrine, it can be overloaded if higher amounts are ingested. However, caffeine is the first substance to be released in the first few seconds of infusion, so by discarding the water from the first infusion, the amount of it in the tea can be minimized. As a benefit, tea contains polyphenols that prevent cardiovascular diseases, and antioxidants that slow down cell aging and protect against certain types of cancer.