The portion of your immune system that defends against viruses and bacteria operates at a decreased intensity when you are pregnant. Because of this, expecting mothers frequently experience more colds and flus, coughs, and sore throats than usual. 1,2
So what can be done to combat the common cold and the flu while pregnant? Pregnant women should take good care of themselves while they are sick with the flu or a cold; they should get enough rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat a nutritious diet. A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals like zinc and vitamin C can enhance the immune system. 3,4 Western herbal medicine has utilized the herb echinacea purpurea (often known as echinacea) for centuries to encourage a healthy immune response. 5
Can echinacea be consumed when expecting? Echinacea is categorized as a Category A medicine in pregnancy according to traditional herbal medicine categorization, which means controlled research in healthy pregnant women have shown no risk to the fetus. 6 Echinacea is one of the few plants that is safe to use while pregnant.
How does echinacea assist? Echinacea may be beneficial to take during any early symptom of infection, exposure to infection, or as a prophylactic during cold and flu season in order to maintain the mother’s immune system during pregnancy. When taken at the first sign of infection, echinacea is a traditional herbal remedy used in western herbal therapy to help reduce the symptoms of the common cold. 7
What else might be beneficial? In addition to getting enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, and drinking lots of water, there are other substances that may help strengthen the immune system during pregnancy. Breast milk contains a kind of protein called lactoferrin, which may improve immune system function and increase immune cell activity. 7 During pregnancy and breastfeeding, there is an increased need for vitamin C and zinc, and zinc is crucial for the maintenance of a healthy immune system. 3,4 For more details on dietary supplements, consult your healthcare provider. Always read the label and only use as instructed. Consult a medical professional if your symptoms don’t go away.
Echinacea tea is safe to drink while expecting.
- 3School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
This review assesses the safety of elderberry and echinacea during pregnancy. Both herbs are frequently used to treat or prevent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), and studies have revealed that pregnant women also utilize them. From their inception through November 2013, the electronic databases PubMed, ISI Web of Science, AMED, EMBASE, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, and Cochrane Library were searched. The collected articles’ pertinent references were also used. There were no clinical studies found that addressed the safety of either plant during pregnancy. Two modest animal studies and one prospective human study on the safety of echinacea during pregnancy were found. There were no reports of elderberry safety in pregnancy in either animal or human research. Between 1995 and 2013, 20 clinical trials examining the effectiveness of various echinacea formulations in diverse population groups were found. Between 1995 and 2013, three clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of two distinct elderberry preparations were found. It is not possible to draw any conclusions about the safety of Echinacea sp. during pregnancy based on the results of investigations on humans and animals. There was no increased risk of significant abnormalities, according to the prospective, controlled trial in people. On the basis of the identified studies, the effectiveness of Echinacea sp. appears questionable. More than 2000 people received the treatment, yet equally many high-quality research reported both positive and bad outcomes. Elderberry has been shown to be effective against influenza in all three clinical trials, however only 77 people received the medication. Health care professionals should not suggest pregnant women take echinacea or elderberry against upper respiratory tract infections due to a lack of evidence of efficacy and safety.
Why should pregnant women avoid taking echinacea?
Echinacea is usually safe to consume when you are expecting, but to be careful, you might want to stay away from it. This is why:
Although many doctors consider echinacea to be low risk, there isn’t enough evidence to indicate that it is completely safe to take while pregnant. Because few studies evaluate these products on expectant mothers for safety concerns, that is true for the majority of vitamins and herbal products.
Among other forms, echinacea is available as tablets, capsules, lotions for external use, and beverages. It is often taken orally in the hope that it may strengthen the immune system and help prevent colds and other upper respiratory infections, although randomized controlled trials have not supported this claim. Some people also use it topically to treat burns and wounds and to treat urinary tract infections.
Although echinacea has been used as a herbal treatment for many years, there are few published studies about its usage during pregnancy, and the effectiveness of those studies is still up for debate. In one study, researchers tracked 261 pregnant women who consumed various echinacea preparations. During the first trimester, it was taken by more than 112 of them. There were no rises in miscarriages or baby birth abnormalities.
Another study examined data on echinacea use during the first trimester and found no evidence that it increases the incidence of birth abnormalities. Echinacea is one of the most frequently utilized medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding. (That study also advised against taking echinacea while nursing because there isn’t enough evidence to suggest it is safe.)
Although this knowledge is comforting, there aren’t enough research to conclusively say whether taking echinacea while pregnant increases the chance of birth abnormalities or other issues.
The preparation and components of herbal treatments like echinacea can vary widely because they are not subject to the same FDA regulations as prescription drugs. This makes it challenging for specialists to extrapolate study findings to other echinacea products on the market, which is yet another reason to use herbal medicines with caution.
Additionally, it has been discovered that certain echinacea formulations have lead contamination. The development of a baby’s brain can be harmed by high blood lead levels during pregnancy.
Prior to taking any medication, vitamin, or herbal supplement during pregnancy, it is always advisable to see your doctor. Call your healthcare practitioner or bring the bottle to your subsequent prenatal appointment if you’re uncertain about a product’s safety.
Sources
2011; Nordeng H, et al. Relationship between the usage of herbal medications during pregnancy and the outcome of the pregnancy in 600 Norwegian women who also used other types of drugs concurrently. Clinical Practice of Complementary Therapies, 17(3):147-51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21742280/ [Retrieved in August 2021]
2010; Cuzzolin, L., et al. Focusing on pregnancy outcomes, 392 pregnant women in Italy used herbal products. Drug Safety and Pharmacoepidemiology, 19(11), 1151–1158. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20872924/ [Retrieved in August 2021]
D. Perri et al., 2006. Echinacea (Echinacea angustafolia, e. purpurea, and e. pallida) is safe and effective to use throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17085774 Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 13(3):e262-7 [Retrieved in August 2021]
2016; Heitmann K, et al. The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study examined the pregnancy outcomes following prenatal echinacea exposure. 72:623–30 European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26895223/ [Retrieved in August 2021]
Which teas should pregnant women avoid?
Even though you are aware that drinking caffeine should be strictly controlled while pregnant, if you enjoy tea, it might be difficult to resist the impulse to indulge. No matter how much you enjoy adrak wali chai or a cup of herbal tea, they all contain some caffeine.
Certain teas should be avoided during pregnancy because they contain excessive amounts of caffeine. Here is a list of teas you should not consume while pregnant.
1. Green or matcha tea (Green tea has a lot of caffeine and inhibits the absorption of folate. However, if you’re a green tea fiend, stick to just one cup each day.)
2. Lemon tea
Three. anise tea
Four. Aloe vera tea
Fifth, berry tea
Chamomile tea, no. 6
Ginseng tea, no. 7
8. tea with hibiscus
Kava tea, 9.
10. Tea with lemongrass
Most herbal teas are extremely safe to drink while pregnant. But only as long as the advised dose is not exceeded. While some teas should be absolutely avoided during pregnancy, some provide added advantages.
It is advised to choose herbal tea over other caffeinated drinks, especially if you are expecting. Diuretic effects from caffeine-containing beverages limit nutrition absorption and deplete the adrenal glands. On the other hand, herbal teas hydrate you and give your body antioxidants. Vitamin C, which is abundant in herbal teas and helps with stress and anxiety management. Some herbal teas can also lessen morning sickness and get the uterus ready for labor.
Studies have found a direct correlation between high caffeine use during pregnancy and low birth weight. Easily absorbed, caffeine effortlessly penetrates the placenta. More than 200 mg of caffeine results in a 25% reduction in placental blood flow. Additionally, caffeine increases pregnancy duration by 5 hours per 100 mg. Additionally, the duration of pregnancy is made considerably longer if you drink coffee.
Disclaimer: The opinions presented in this piece are not meant to be a replacement for medical advice. For more information, kindly see your treating physician.
Which teas are safe to drink while pregnant?
All types of tea, including oolong, black, green, white, matcha, chai, and others, are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. They have caffeine, a natural stimulant that shouldn’t be used in large amounts while pregnant.
They each contain around the same amount of caffeine per cup (240 mL) as the following (2, 3, 4, 5, 6):
- 6080 mg of matcha
- Tea, oolong: 3858 mg
- tea, black: 4753 mg
- 4753 mg of chai
- tea: white, 2550 mg
- tea, green: 2949 mg
Caffeine crosses the placenta readily, and your unborn child’s developing liver has trouble processing it. As a result, caffeine doses that would ordinarily be regarded as safe for adults are more likely to have adverse effects in newborns.
According to research, mothers who consume excessive amounts of caffeine during pregnancy run the risk of having babies that are preterm, have low birth weights, or have birth abnormalities. The risk of miscarriage or stillbirth may also increase with high caffeine consumption during pregnancy (7, 8, 9).
When pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to no more than 300 mg per day, these dangers seem to be at a minimum (8).
However, the genetics of some women can make them more susceptible to the negative effects of coffee. For instance, studies indicate that a tiny percentage of women may experience a 2.4 times increased risk of miscarriage when ingesting 100–300 mg of caffeine daily (8).
Caffeinated teas are generally safe to consume while pregnant because they have less caffeine than coffee. To avoid drinking too much caffeine each day, their consumption may need to be restricted (10, 11).
Teas with caffeine, such as chai, black, green, matcha, oolong, and white teas, should be used in moderation during pregnancy. Despite being generally safe, pregnant women may benefit from restricting their daily consumption of these caffeinated teas.
Does echinacea impact ovulation?
There is no proof that echinacea can increase your chances of getting pregnant, despite the fact that it may be your go-to herb on days when you feel like you’re getting a cold. Echinacea, St. John’s wort, and ginkgo biloba may all potentially have a detrimental effect on your fertility, according to some research. High quantities of the herbs may harm reproductive cells and hinder sperm from fertilizing eggs, according to a study from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California. A little dose of echinacea should be safe to take if you start to feel under the weather, but avoid taking big doses of it if you’re trying to get pregnant and consult your doctor before using it if you’re already pregnant.
I breastfeed, can I consume echinacea tea?
It varies. Although herbs and herbal products are sometimes referred to as “natural,” they are not always secure. Before utilizing herbs, especially herbal teas and essential oils, it’s crucial to consult your healthcare practitioner because they can be highly potent.
Herbs can enter breast milk, just like prescription drugs do, and may have an impact on both you and your baby’s milk production. (The idea that sage, parsley, or peppermint will make you produce less milk is a hoax.)
Herbs are not subject to FDA regulation, unlike over-the-counter and prescription medications, thus there is no assurance of their safety, potency, or purity. Even professionals are unsure of which herbs are safe for nursing infants because very few have been thoroughly researched to determine their impact on nursing infants.
There isn’t much evidence to support the safety (or efficacy) of these herbs in nursing mothers and infants, despite the fact that they have been used for centuries to increase a nursing mother’s milk production. Examples include fenugreek and fennel.
Another popular plant to take with caution is echinacea, which is believed to prevent or treat colds. Some specialists advise mothers to stay away from it when breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data. Additionally, goldenseal, which can be poisonous in even moderate dosages, is frequently used alongside echinacea.
Before using any herbal therapy, be prudent and speak with your doctor.
The majority of herbs that are used to season food, such cumin, rosemary, and cilantro, are safe to incorporate in your diet on a regular basis in moderation. However, some, such as sage, can be harmful if you ingest them in high or concentrated doses, such as when taking medicine or drinking tea.
You should be aware of some interactions between plants and medications as well as between herbs and other substances. For further information, speak with your physician or pharmacist.
Instead of sites that are marketing herbal products, look for trustworthy, impartial websites while studying herbs online. Good sources include the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, MedlinePlus, and LactMed.
All herbal teas should only be consumed moderately and with caution. Teas include concentrated herbs. Choose teas that have a complete ingredient list. For instance, ginger or German chamomile tea are regarded as safe options; nevertheless, avoid any teas containing goldenseal.
Boosts Immunity
Echinacea tea has been a go-to remedy for boosting the immune system and preventing infections for a very long time. Antibacterial qualities of echinacea help keep infections from getting you sick. Additionally, echinacea tea might lessen the aches and pains brought on by the common cold and flu and soothe a sore throat.
The influence of echinacea on the immune system was the subject of a meta-analysis published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal. Echinacea reduced the incidence of the common cold by 58 percent, according to 14 trials examined by researchers. Additionally, taking echinacea reduced recovery time by 1.5 days. Even if you do contract a cold, drinking echinacea tea can help you stay healthy and recover more quickly.
Additionally, echinacea tea aids in the eradication of free radicals, which result in oxidative stress and cell damage. By delaying the beginning of early aging and brain degeneration, this contributes to an improvement in general health.
Prevents Infection
Yeast infections and urinary tract infections can be treated with echinacea’s antibacterial properties. The majority of study demonstrates that the chemicals in echinacea leaves are responsible for these health advantages. Caffeic acid and other polyphenols found in tea, in particular, exhibit antiviral properties that shield against infection.
Echinacea may increase white blood cell counts, according to certain studies, albeit these studies are still in progress. The polysaccharides in echinacea tea may be useful in the treatment of illnesses like HIV, according to several research, one of which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. These chemical substances function by limiting the replication of damaged cells, which delays the spread of infections.
Relieves Pain
Echinacea was first utilized as a pain reliever by Native Americans. The herb is now used to cure a variety of pains, including rheumatoid arthritis and toothaches. Tea made from echinacea can be used to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort, such as cramps and irritable bowel syndrome.
Echinacea’s impact on pain was investigated in a randomized, double-blind trial that was published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Researchers discovered that those who took echinacea used less pain medication to manage cold symptoms.
Improves Mood
Echinacea’s fragrant aroma can aid in reducing stress and depressive emotions. Dopamine, a hormone known for regulating happiness, is released in response to the aroma of echinacea. Cortisol, also referred to as the stress hormone, may also be reduced by echinacea.
The effects of echinacea on anxiety were explored in a study that was published in Phytotherapy Research. Echinacea dramatically reduced the excitatory synapses, according to research. This indicates that people who took echinacea extract had less dread and anxiety. Echinacea was found to modulate synapses, but it did not completely stop transmissions.
Soothes Respiratory Ailments
Upper respiratory tract infections and the symptoms of asthma may be treated with echinacea tea. These illnesses are frequently brought on by allergies or the common cold. Echinacea tea facilitates better airflow in the lungs and throat by soothing irritated muscles. Additionally, histamine, which is produced when the body overreacts to common stimuli and causes allergic reactions, is suppressed by echinacea. Echinacea has been shown to have bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory properties, according to research studies from 2015. These characteristics are comparable to those of synthetic medications used to treat asthma.