Is It Safe to Drink Hibiscus Tea During Pregnancy

Experts advise pregnant mothers to avoid raw tuna, alcohol and other things to avoid mishaps during term. It's also wise to limit caffeine intake, leading many expectant mothers to turn to herbal teas instead. However, consuming herbal teas like hibiscus flower tea while pregnant can also lead to negative effects. Read on to learn more about adding this to your diet during pregnancy and what else you need to know!

What is Hibiscus?

Hibiscus is a flowering plant with beautiful red flowers. Usually grown in tropical regions, it has a variety of uses such as floral landscapes, making folk medicine, rope, and paper. The dried petals of hibiscus flowers are brewed into hot or cold tea for a delicious, floral-tasting beverage.

High in antioxidants, hibiscus tea is said to fight bacteria that aid in weight loss and lower blood pressure. Hibiscus tea is also believed to improve liver health, and there are certain compounds in tea that help prevent cancer cells from growing in the body.

Is Hibiscus Tea Safe During Pregnancy?

Consuming hibiscus tea is associated with several health benefits. In addition to its delicious taste, it is also rich in antioxidants. However, it is not usually preferred to be consumed by pregnant women and nursing mothers. In 2013, research was conducted on animals stating that hibiscus tea poses certain risks to expectant mothers. Studies conducted on animals conclude that there may be dangers such as delayed puberty in the child and miscarriage if hibiscus is eaten during pregnancy. Some problems such as high risk of obesity, higher body mass index and maternal malnutrition are observed in the offspring.

Hibiscus is said to regulate hormones and periods. But during pregnancy, you may experience early labor, bleeding, cramping, or even miscarriage.

Benefits Of Hibiscus Tea During Pregnancy

Hibiscus tea is very rich in antioxidants and is therefore associated with many health benefits. The same applies to pregnant women. But the traditional approach to pregnancy dictates that you should avoid it during the first trimester, and even after that you should get a doctor's prescription before consuming it.

The conventional approach to pregnancy holds that hibiscus tea is good for pregnancy, and the following benefits result from consuming hibiscus tea after the first trimester once pregnancy has been established:

• It is believed by some universities that hibiscus has high flavonoids in it.
• It can protect you from any damage due to radical toxic elements causing diseases and degeneration of cells.
• It is beneficial in building immunity and strengthens the body systems of mother and baby as well.
• Blood pressure often shoots up in pregnancy, and hibiscus tea may regulate the same.
• It may fight infectious organisms, cleanse lymph and blood, and tone the digestive tract.

However, there is no clinical evidence supporting these benefits, so it is always advisable to consult your doctor before consuming hibiscus tea during pregnancy.

Side Effects of Drinking Hibiscus Tea When Pregnant

Hibiscus tea is not recommended to be consumed during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. It is believed to be a reason for miscarriage and delayed puberty. Some other side effects that may occur due to drinking hibiscus tea are mentioned below:

• Shaking
• Ringing in the ears
• Headache
• Painful urination
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Gas
• Upset stomach or stomach pain

Does Hibiscus Tea Cause Miscarriage?

You should generally avoid hibiscus tea during pregnancy as it has specific harmful effects on the body, including miscarriage and delayed puberty. So, even if you need to drink tea while pregnant, it is always necessary to be cautious about the possible side effects.

How Does Hibiscus Tea Cause a Miscarriage?

Hibiscus tea is known for regulating hormones and delayed periods. But during pregnancy messing up with hormones is not a good thing since it may have the following effects:

• Consuming the tea may cause uterine contraction that may lead to miscarriage.
• Spontaneous abortions have also been reported at times due to the consumption of tea.
• The emmenagogue effect of hibiscus tea may lead to blood flow towards the uterus and cause some harmful effects.

However, the quantity of hibiscus tea is not specified. But it is always better to be safe, especially in the first trimester.

How Much Hibiscus Tea to Consume in Pregnancy

You should strictly avoid hibiscus tea during the first trimester of pregnancy. Even after that, you should consult the doctors before consuming the same. The reasoning is that tests on pregnant animals returned less-than-desirable results. So, if you ask your physician, “is hibiscus tea bad during pregnancy?” you would probably get an answer confirming the same. However, with the professional’s advice, you should consume no more than 2 cups a day. Simply boil 1.25 grams of the tea in water for around 5 to 10 minutes.

Is It Okay to Drink Hibiscus Tea in Any Trimester?

Hibiscus tea should be avoided during pregnancy for many reasons, as specified by researchers in various research. Especially in the first trimester, hibiscus tea should be a big no when the pregnancy is not established. Many people drink it in the last trimester to ease labor. But that should be strictly under the observation of your doctor. Though it has many health benefits, some side effects may also affect your bundle of joy.

Can Hibiscus Tea Help to Induce Labor?

Hibiscus regulates hormones in the human body – the extracts from hibiscus flowers encourage and improve blood flow towards the uterus. This stimulates labor pains and may bring down the debut of your little one early on the earth. This is called the emmenagogue effect on the body.

Especially when you seem exhausted and wish to encourage labor, a cup of hibiscus tea may seem helpful. However, before undertaking any such stint, a doctor’s consultation is a must.

Which Other Herbal Teas Are Safe and Unsafe in Pregnancy

Hibiscus and pregnancy do not go along. Like hibiscus, some other herbal teas should not be consumed in pregnancy or a particular trimester. Many of them do not come in the category of forbidden ones, but a doctor’s consultation is a must, especially the trimester-wise consumption chart.

Some of the herbal teas that are not advisable to be consumed entirely or during the particular trimester are mentioned below:

• Entire Pregnancy Fenugreek
• Rosemary
• Rhubarb
• Oregano and Basil (however, can be consumed as condiments)
• St. John’s Wort
• Fennel
• Cinnamon
• Shepherd’s purse
• Wormwood
• Angelica
• Dong Quai
• Ginseng
• Licorice
• First Trimester Chamomile
• Peppermint
• Third Trimester Red raspberry leaf (only in the third trimester to ease labor)

Hibiscus tea is full of antioxidants which are highly beneficial for many health issues. It regulates hormones, reduces blood pressure, and is suitable for many other body systems. But it is essential to keep all the facts clear before you consume the same in pregnancy. A doctor’s prescription and confirmation are highly recommended for consuming hibiscus tea in any trimester during your pregnancy.

Can I drink hibiscus mix with rosehip or raspberry?

A blend of hibiscus with raspberry or rosehip provides a sweet floral scent and a slightly spicy taste. It makes a perfect taste to enjoy the delicacy. All of these ingredients provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are beneficial for many health issues. The presence of vitamin C also adds healing properties. This tasty drink also offers you a calming effect when you are stressed. Be sure to try a perfect blend of hibiscus with rosehip or raspberry and serve it your way, hot or cold.

Can I drink hibiscus tea at night and is it okay to drink it daily?

Drinking hibiscus tea at a certain limit is usually safe. There are some other products added as a supplement that may cause some side effects. But after becoming familiar with all the products, consuming one cup a day may not do any harm but bring certain health benefits such as weight loss, liver health improvement, and others. However, as reiterated and explained above, do not do this without a doctor's prescription if you are pregnant.

Tart cherry extract contains melatonin, which is very beneficial for a healthy night's sleep. Plus, the tangy, tart, sweet deep red elixir offers a delicious flavor when served cold or hot. Every ingredient has health benefits. So drinking it as a nightcap is a big thumbs up.