Is Tea Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, with caution. Most teas are safe during pregnancy when you limit caffeine to under 200mg per day. Many herbal teas require caution due to ingredients like hibiscus, licorice, and chamomile that may affect pregnancy.
Tea safety during pregnancy depends on the type and amount consumed. Caffeinated teas (black, green, oolong) count toward your daily 200mg caffeine limit, while certain herbal ingredients can have hormonal effects or stimulate uterine contractions. With 1,509 A grade tea products available, there are plenty of safe options when you know what to look for.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Caffeine free herbal teas like peppermint, ginger, and lemon balm from trusted brands
- • Decaffeinated versions of black or green tea if you enjoy traditional tea flavors
- • Single ingredient teas where you can verify the herbs used
- • Limit caffeinated teas to 1-2 cups per day to stay under 200mg caffeine
- • Pregnancy specific tea blends formulated for expecting mothers (like raspberry leaf in third trimester)
✗ What to Avoid
- • Hibiscus tea - may have hormonal activity and anti implantation effects
- • Licorice root teas - associated with lower IQ and attention problems in children when consumed heavily
- • High caffeine teas in excess - black tea contains 40-70mg caffeine per cup
- • Teas with ginseng extract - may cause embryonic abnormalities based on animal studies
- • Chamomile in large amounts - may stimulate uterine contractions
- • Detox or weight loss teas - often contain unsafe herbal blends
Most Common Ingredients in Tea Products
We analyzed 3,323 tea products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Tea
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 3,323 tea products we analyzed.
black tea
CAUTION
Black tea is a caffeinated beverage from tea leaves. May increase risk of gestational hypertension and inhibits iron absorption at high consumption levels.
Found in 256 of 3,323 products (8%)
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 124 of 3,323 products (4%)
hibiscus
CAUTION
Hibiscus is a tropical plant used in teas for antioxidant benefits. Has hormonal activity and may have anti implantation effects based on animal studies.
Found in 110 of 3,323 products (3%)
aspartame
CAUTION
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener commonly found in diet sodas, sugar free foods, and tabletop sweeteners. Has been linked in animal studies to placental dysfunction, reduced birth weight, and oxidative stress, with limited human data suggesting possible developmental concerns.
Found in 71 of 3,323 products (2%)
ginseng extract
CAUTION
Ginseng extract is an herbal supplement for energy and immunity. May cause embryonic abnormalities based on animal studies and increases bleeding risk.
Found in 59 of 3,323 products (2%)
chamomile
CAUTION
Chamomile is an herb used for relaxation and digestive support. May stimulate uterine contractions and has been associated with preterm birth in some studies.
Found in 58 of 3,323 products (2%)
licorice root
CAUTION
Licorice root is an herb used in teas and traditional remedies. Is associated with lower IQ and attention problems in children when consumed heavily during pregnancy.
Found in 53 of 3,323 products (2%)
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 52 of 3,323 products (2%)
Types of Tea
Tea Products We've Analyzed
We graded 3,323 tea products for pregnancy safety. 1,509 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Tea Products
We found 1,509 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Tazo Regenerative Organic Tea - 16Ct | Tazo |
| A | Twinings Pure Peppermint Tea | Twinings |
| A | Organic Lemon Balm Tea | Traditional Medicinals |
| A | Famous Sweet Tea | Milo'S Tea Company Inc. |
| A | Pocas Honey Ginger Tea 10 Pk | Pocas |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women drink tea?
Yes, pregnant women can drink tea safely with some precautions. Limit caffeinated teas like black and green tea to stay under 200mg of caffeine daily (about 2-3 cups). Many herbal teas like peppermint and ginger are considered safe in moderation. However, some herbal ingredients should be avoided entirely, so always check the ingredient list before trying a new tea.
What are the risks of tea during pregnancy?
The main risks of tea during pregnancy relate to caffeine and certain herbal ingredients. Excessive caffeine intake has been linked to low birth weight and may increase miscarriage risk. Some herbs like hibiscus have hormonal effects, licorice root is associated with developmental concerns, and chamomile may stimulate uterine contractions. Black tea can also inhibit iron absorption, which is important during pregnancy.
What teas should I avoid while pregnant?
Avoid teas containing hibiscus, licorice root, ginseng, and large amounts of chamomile during pregnancy. Detox teas, weight loss teas, and teas with unknown herbal blends should also be avoided. Be cautious with any tea containing high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners like aspartame. When in doubt, stick to simple peppermint, ginger, or decaffeinated options from reputable brands.
Can I drink tea during my pregnancy?
Yes, you can drink tea during pregnancy, but moderation is key. Stick to 1-2 cups of herbal tea per day and count caffeinated teas toward your 200mg daily caffeine limit. Safe options include peppermint, ginger, lemon balm, and rooibos. Avoid teas with hibiscus, licorice, or ginseng. If you're unsure about a specific tea, check with your healthcare provider.
What kind of tea can you drink in pregnancy?
Safe teas during pregnancy include peppermint tea for nausea, ginger tea for morning sickness, lemon balm for relaxation, and rooibos as a caffeine free alternative. Decaffeinated black and green teas are also good options. In the third trimester, raspberry leaf tea is often recommended to prepare for labor. Brands like Twinings, Bigelow, and Traditional Medicinals offer many pregnancy safe options.
Is decaf tea safe during pregnancy?
Yes, decaffeinated tea is generally safe during pregnancy and is a great option if you want to enjoy traditional tea flavors without the caffeine. Decaf teas still contain trace amounts of caffeine (about 2-5mg per cup), but this is negligible compared to regular tea. Just ensure the decaf tea doesn't contain problematic herbal ingredients like hibiscus or licorice root.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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References
- https://www.acog.org/womens health/experts and stories/ask acog/how much coffee can i-drink while pregnant
- https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical guidance/committee opinion/articles/2010/08/moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy
- https://www.1992sharetea.com/news/is black tea safe during pregnancy
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2210778922000848
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960076025001177
- https://www.thebump.com/a/black tea during pregnancy
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- https://www.nature.com/articles/jp2009101
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- https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/caffeine during pregnancy
- https://www.conceptfoundation.org/concept foundation/raspberry extract and green tea components to prevent pre eclampsia/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5822498/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35963155/
- https://www.thebump.com/a/herbal tea pregnancy
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5998341/
- https://www.mybirthly.com/blog/what tea is safe during pregnancy
- https://www.kusmitea.com/int/black tea iron.html
- https://phcog.com/article/sites/default/files/PhcogMag-13-52s-769_0.pdf
- https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy pregnancy/is it safe/herbal tea/
- https://thrivemarket.com/blog/heres a-convincing reason to avoid high fructose corn syrup during pregnancy
