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, certain echinacea preparations have been shown to be contaminated with lead. 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?
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.
Which teas are safe to drink while pregnant?
Black, white, and green teas can be consumed during pregnancy in moderation. Because they contain caffeine, be careful how much you sip to keep within the safe amount during pregnancy. With herbal teas, which are not FDA-regulated, exercise cautious. Although ginger tea and peppermint tea are regarded as harmless, some other herbal drinks have been connected to difficulties during pregnancy. Make sure your preferred teas are healthy for you and your unborn child by speaking with your healthcare physician before you brew.
Can I take Echinaforce if I’ve had the flu vaccine?
Echinaforce use is not contraindicated either before or after receiving a flu shot. It is still recommended to use Echinaforce every day even if you have had the flu shot because the shot does not protect you from cold viruses. Colds are the main cause of infections in the winter.
How do I know if I have a cold or the flu?
Sometimes, it can be challenging to determine. Although the symptoms of the flu (or influenza) are similar to those of the common cold, they are typically more severe. You might also get a fever, sweating, and muscle aches.
I already have a cold /flu / sore throat…is it too late for me to start using Echinaforce?
No, simply raise the dosage by taking 2 tablets, 3-5 times day, before meals, or 20 drops, 3-5 times daily, with a little water, until your symptoms go away. Then, once they do, go back to the daily amount in point 1.
Is there anyone who shouldn’t take Echinaforce?
Echinacea or the Asteraceae (daisy) plant family allergies, which manifest as an itching rash, should not be used by anyone on Echinaforce. Please consult your doctor before using Echinaforce if you have an auto-immune condition of any kind or are taking an immunosuppressant medicine.
Can I take Echinaforce during my pregnancy?
You can; in fact, a Canadian study and, more recently, a Norwegian cohort study that examined the effects of echinacea consumption during pregnancy found no higher risk of deformity or unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.
Can I take Echinaforce long term?
Yes. Long-term use has no known negative consequences. Keep in mind that Echinaforce does not boost the immune system. Utilizing it year-round to strengthen your immune system on a daily basis is advised because it modifies (regulates) the immune system.
Can I purchase Echinaforce on my medical aid?
Yes, Echinaforce is NAPPI coded in South Africa, which enables you to buy it through your medical insurance if your plan allows you to buy OTC medications or if your doctor has prescribed it to you.
Which types of tea can result in miscarriage?
Although herbal teas have generally been seen as safe during pregnancy, there isn’t much research to support this. High dosages of parsley tea during pregnancy have been reported to trigger uterine contractions and even miscarriage.
Herbal teas should be used with caution by pregnant women, who should also consult a healthcare provider before include them in their diet.
If you use medicine, whether or not you are pregnant, you should discuss any herbal remedies with your doctor to rule out any potential drug interactions.
When I’m pregnant, may I consume honey?
Happily, honey doesn’t pose the same health dangers as a lot of other raw or unpasteurized foods. Honey is generally a safe sweet treat for you while pregnant. So feel free to use honey anyway you like—to sweeten baked products, swish some in your tea, or even to take a spoonful to ease a sore throat.
When I’m pregnant, may I consume chamomile?
It helps you stay hydrated, it can ease some pregnancy symptoms, and cuddling up with a big, warm mug of tea at the end of the day is a terrific way to unwind.
Just maybe don’t switch to herbal teas for all of your daily libations, and always consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
During the first trimester, what tea is safe?
- The amount of caffeine in a leaf increases with its oxidation duration (fermenting).
- The amount of caffeine in the tea can also be influenced by the brewing time, leaf type, and size.
- Non-herbal teas that are decaffeinated still have some caffeine in them.
Herbal Tea
- made from a range of plant materials other than genuine tea plant leaves, such as roots, berries, blossoms, seeds, and leaves.
- Genuine herbal teas are devoid of caffeine. (This excludes any other beverages that claim to be tea but actually aren’t, such as mate tea.)
- These teas can be used as prescription medications as well (relatingto, or having the properties of medicine).
Non-Herbal Teas
The antioxidants in non-herbal tea are thought to offer considerable health advantages, but it also contains caffeine, which is frequently advised against for expectant and nursing mothers.
A non-herbal cup of tea typically has 40–50 mg of caffeine in it. Nonherbal tea that has been decaffeinated does still include a small amount of caffeine, but often only a few milligrams.
The caffeine gets to your unborn child through the placenta. Like an adult, a newborn cannot metabolize caffeine. Additionally, breastfeeding while taking coffee may exacerbate newborn sleep issues.
Because of this, there is debate over how much caffeine is safe or whether it should be avoided entirely. We are aware that when you are pregnant or nursing, the less caffeine you take, the better it is for your developing kid.
Ask your midwife or doctor how much is safe to consume. You can decide whether to drink non-herbal teas as a result of this.
Herbal teas
Since herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, consuming this kind of tea is not problematic. The lack of information on most herbs and their effects on a growing fetus is a worry when drinking herbal teas during pregnancy. Regarding the safety of herbal teas for both pregnant and non-pregnant women, there are differing views.
The majority of commercial brands of herbal tea are generally regarded as safe for consumption in moderation by all people. Celestial Seasonings and other herbal tea manufacturers claim that they do not use any herbs that are deemed hazardous and only employ herbs that fall inside the FDA’s approved list of herbs.
Herbal teas that are not produced professionally, those made with excessive amounts of herbs (amounts greater than those found in typical foods or drinks), and those made using toxic plants are all regarded as being dangerous.
As with most things, it is wise to discuss any herbal teas you are interested in consuming with your midwife or physician.
Pregnancy Teas
There are many teas with “pregnancy tea” labels. Red raspberry leaf is frequently found in pregnancy teas, which are thought to be advantageous during pregnancy. The daily use of these teas, according to many midwives and herbalists, may help reduce pregnancy issues like preeclampsia, preterm labor, extended labor, and postpartum hemorrhage.
According to scientific research, red raspberry leaf can be safely taken during pregnancy and can shorten labor and reduce the need for interventions like cesarean delivery, assisted delivery, and artificial rupture of membranes (AROM).
Additionally, red raspberry leaf appears to be effective in preventing preterm and postterm pregnancies (delivering too early or too late).
The Herbs Used
The following are typical components that you could discover in herbal teas. Be aware that some have safety ratings that are in doubt. The Natural Medicines Database provided these safety rankings.
You can decide which herbs are safe for you to use in teas with the aid of more thorough study and discussions with your doctor.
- Raspberry Leaf in Red (Likely Safe) This iron-rich herb has been shown to reduce nausea, tone the uterus, boost milk production, and relieve delivery pains. To support uterine health during pregnancy, red raspberry leaf is a common ingredient in pregnancy teas. Many medical professionals are being careful and only advise using it after the first trimester because there is some debate over whether it should be used throughout pregnancy or just in the second and third trimesters.
Which plants ought to be avoided while pregnant?
Unsafe herbs to use while pregnant
- Aloe, barberry, black cohosh, blue cohosh, dong quai, feverfew, goldenseal, juniper, wild yam, and motherwort are uterine stimulants.
- Herbs including autumn crocus, mugwort (appropriate for moxibustion but not for ingestion), pokeroot, and sassafras could potentially be harmful to your child.
In whom should echinacea not be taken?
Consult your doctor before using echinacea if you regularly take other medications. Additionally, if you smoke, use illegal substances, drink alcohol or caffeine-containing beverages, you should disclose this to your doctor. These might impact how echinacea functions.
If you have an autoimmune ailment (like lupus), an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, echinacea may not be beneficial to you (AIDS). Before beginning to use echinacea, you should discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
Echinacea allergy risk may be increased if you have a history of allergies to daisies, ragweed, marigolds, chrysanthemums, or other related plants.