Is Tea Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 23, 2026
The Answer
Yes, with caution. Most teas are safe during pregnancy when you limit caffeine to under 200mg daily. With 2,898 A grade tea products available, many options are pregnancy safe, but certain herbal teas should be avoided.
Caffeine crosses the placenta and high intake has been linked to low birth weight and pregnancy complications. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends limiting total caffeine to under 200mg per day from all sources including tea, coffee, and chocolate. Some herbal teas contain ingredients that may stimulate uterine contractions or have hormonal effects.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Caffeine free or decaf teas for unlimited consumption
- • Black or green tea limited to 2-3 cups daily (staying under 200mg caffeine total)
- • Pregnancy safe herbal options like ginger, peppermint, and rooibos
- • Teas from reputable brands with clear ingredient labeling
- • Single ingredient teas rather than complex herbal blends
✗ What to Avoid
- • Hibiscus tea - may have hormonal activity and anti implantation effects
- • Licorice root tea - associated with lower IQ and attention problems in children
- • Chamomile in large amounts - may stimulate uterine contractions
- • Ginseng containing teas - may cause embryonic abnormalities in animal studies
- • Herbal blends with unknown or multiple medicinal herbs
- • More than 200mg caffeine daily from all tea sources combined
Most Common Ingredients in Tea Products
We analyzed 5,163 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 5,163 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 398 of 5,163 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 215 of 5,163 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 165 of 5,163 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 120 of 5,163 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 117 of 5,163 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 80 of 5,163 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 79 of 5,163 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 77 of 5,163 products (1%)
Types of Tea
Tea Products We've Analyzed
We graded 5,163 tea products for pregnancy safety. 2,898 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Tea Products
We found 2,898 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Oi Ocha Unsweetened Green Tea | Ito En |
| A | Pure Leaf Real Brewed Tea Unsweetened No Sugar | Pure Leaf |
| A | Legends Of China Green Tea | Uncle Lee'S Tea Inc. |
| A | Green Tea - Tagged Bags | Ahmad Tea London |
| A | Green Tea | Bigelow |
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 ginger and peppermint are considered safe in moderation. However, some herbal teas should be avoided entirely. Always check ingredients and consult your healthcare provider if unsure about a specific tea.
What are the risks of tea during pregnancy?
The main risks involve caffeine and certain herbal ingredients. Excessive caffeine intake (over 200mg daily) has been linked to low birth weight and increased miscarriage risk. Some herbal teas contain ingredients like hibiscus, licorice root, and ginseng that may affect hormone levels or uterine activity. Black tea can also inhibit iron absorption, which is important during pregnancy when iron needs increase.
What teas should I avoid while pregnant?
Avoid teas containing hibiscus, licorice root, ginseng, and large amounts of chamomile during pregnancy. Hibiscus has hormonal activity that may affect implantation. Licorice root consumption during pregnancy has been linked to cognitive effects in children. Ginseng may cause embryonic abnormalities based on animal studies. Also avoid medicinal herbal blends, detox teas, and any tea with unfamiliar herbs.
Can I drink tea during my pregnancy?
Yes, you can enjoy tea during pregnancy by following a few guidelines. Stick to 1-2 cups of caffeinated tea daily and count it toward your 200mg caffeine limit. Safe options include decaf black or green tea, ginger tea for nausea, peppermint tea for digestion, and rooibos tea which is naturally caffeine free. Avoid herbal teas with medicinal claims or unfamiliar ingredients.
What kind of tea can you drink in pregnancy?
Safe teas during pregnancy include decaffeinated black and green tea, ginger tea (helpful for morning sickness), peppermint tea, rooibos tea, and lemon tea. Regular black and green tea are fine in moderation (2-3 cups daily). Look for simple, single ingredient teas from trusted brands. Pregnancy specific teas containing red raspberry leaf are generally recommended only in the third trimester.
Is herbal tea safe during pregnancy?
Some herbal teas are safe during pregnancy while others should be avoided. Safe options include ginger, peppermint, lemon, and rooibos teas in moderation (1-2 cups daily). Avoid hibiscus, licorice root, ginseng, and medicinal herb blends. The challenge with herbal teas is that many haven't been studied in pregnant women, so stick to well known safe options and avoid teas marketed for detox or medicinal purposes.
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.
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
- https://naitreetgrandir.com/en/pregnancy/health well being/pregnancy coffee tea herbal teas/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/jp2009101
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7834757/
- 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
