Tea For Two

In "Tea For Two" (October/November 2008), we gave you the scoop on the pros and cons of drinking tea during pregnancy. Although many herbal teas are considered safe, some are not. Here's what you need to know.

Herbal Tea Safety During Pregnancy
Herbal teas are hot - even your local grocery store boasts dozens of varieties. But there's a caveat: the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbs. They don't get the same scrutiny as foods or prescription drugs, so consumers have no way of knowing if the herb will stand up to its claims. Even more concerning for moms-to-be is the lack of research establishing that herbs are safe during pregnancy.

On the plus side, the Natural Medicines Database helps consumers determine which herbs are likely to be safe and which are better left on the shelf. Here's a snapshot view of their findings:

Likely unsafe:
Saw Palmetto
Goldenseal
Dong Qual
Ephedra
Yohimbe
Pay D' Arco
Passion Flower
Black Cohosh
Blue Cohosh
Roman Chamomile
Pennyroyal


Possibly unsafe:
Aloe
Ginseng
Evening primrose
Feverfew
Kava Kava
Senna


Likely safe:
Red Raspberry Leaf
Peppermint Leaf
Ginger root
Slippery Elm Bark
Oats & Oat Straw
Blond Psyllium
Black Psyllium
Garlic
Capsicum


Insufficient reliable information:
Dandelion
Chamomile
Nettles (depending on which part of the plant is used)

From October/November 2008