Best known as the plant that grows in your yard, dandelion tea has been used as a medicinal herb by Native Americans and Europeans alike. But can you have dandelion root tea while pregnant? Or should you avoid it?
This article will explore the pros and cons of taking dandelion tea pregnancy.
Dandelion tea is an herbal supplement with plenty of health benefits and is safe during pregnancy. This herb tea during pregnancy can be incredibly beneficial, as long as you ensure it’s high quality and consult your doctor before taking it. It is suitable for digestion and electrolyte imbalance.
Learn more about this herbal tea and its effects on pregnant women from this dandelion tea during pregnancy guide.
The presence of minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium in dandelion tea can help to fight nausea and reduce water retention and bloating, three common issues during pregnancy.
Table of Content
What Is Dandelion Tea?
As the name suggests, dandelion tea is an herbal tea made from the dandelion plant’s leaves, roots, and flowers. It has a bitter taste and is often consumed for its health benefits.
It helps to cure upset stomach, gastric, loss of appetite, joint pain, bruises, etc. Since it is a herbal derivative, it takes time to show results of its efficacy.
However, you must be wondering whether dandelion root tea benefits pregnancy or not.
Dandelion Tea Benefits For Pregnant Women
Dandelion tea is a rich source of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
For women who experience constipation during pregnancy, dandelion tea may help to prevent constipation and soothe an upset stomach. Let’s check some other health benefits of dandelion root tea benefits during pregnancy.
Promotes Digestion
The tea also contains folic acid, which is highly recommended for pregnant women to prevent congenital disabilities. Vitamins and minerals in the dandelion tea, including Vitamin C, help detoxify the liver and promote healthy digestion.
Helps Reduce Nausea and Water Retention
The presence of minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium in the tea can help to fight nausea and reduce water retention and bloating, three common issues during pregnancy.
Dandelion leaf tea is high in vitamin A, which is excellent for your eyesight. Some studies have shown that drinking this tea during pregnancy can help prevent preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Balances Electrolytes
There is excellent sourcing of potassium in dandelion tea. During pregnancy, it can also help detoxify the body and is a natural diuretic that can help prevent swelling and balance electrolytes in your body cells.
Therapeutic Properties
Last, dandelion tea is an excellent replacement for tea or coffee during pregnancy. Pregnant women should limit caffeine intake. So any dandelion tea they drink is caffeine-free and is a herbal substitute that aids in sleeping with its natural nerve-calming properties due to its high sulfur and iodine content.
Is Dandelion Tea Pregnancy Safe: Side Effects of Dandelion Tea for Pregnant Women
Although dandelion tea is generally considered safe, there are some potential side effects to be aware of. Some potential downsides to drinking dandelion tea during pregnancy are:
- Drinking too much dandelion tea may lead to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism due to its high iodine content.
- Dandelion tea can cause an increase in urination, which can lead to dehydration if not enough fluid is consumed. Drinking plenty of water when taking this herbal remedy for any period is essential.
- How many times have you heard that pregnant women should avoid all medications and supplements, particularly during the first trimester? It’s indeed safer to stay away from most drugs during pregnancy.
- Because it stimulates the liver and kidneys, pregnant women should not take dandelion tea during the first trimester.
- In addition, you may want to avoid dandelion tea if you have had problems with bile stones or gallstones. Drinking dandelion tea could aggravate the condition.
- Pregnant women should avoid dandelion tea if they have an iron deficiency or are experiencing gastrointestinal issues like heartburn or diarrhea.
How to Make Dandelion Tea?
Making dandelion tea is the same as making other tea. To make dandelion tea, 1-2 tablespoons of dried dandelion leaves per cup of hot water. Steep the leaves in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, then strain and enjoy.
Avoid adding white sugar for sipping into a healthy cup of herbal dandelion tea. If you want to get rid of the slightly bitter after-taste, you can add natural sweeteners like brown sugar honey or jaggery.
Mixing It With Other Teas
Dandelion tea can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other teas. If you’re pregnant, it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider before consuming dandelion tea mixed with other tea, as there are chances of forming chemical reactions.
It may also cause heartburn and stomach upset for some people. You’ll want to avoid taking any herbs your doctor has not approved if you are pregnant.
Most importantly, avoid mixing it with black tea or any other caffeinated tea as the dandelion tea will lose its importance of being caffeine-free.
When to Take It?
There is no rule of thumb of when to drink dandelion tea. As a pregnant woman, it is best to drink it in the morning because dandelion tea is a diuretic. That way, you can avoid waking up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and sleep properly.
Since it is decaffeinated and has therapeutic and calming properties like any other herbal tea, you can drink it at night too to have a peaceful sleep.
Drink it at least two hours before sleeping to avoid waking up to urinate during sleep.
How Much to Take?
Everything is good in moderation. Like any other healthy food/ drink, dandelion tea is also generally considered safe to consume in small amounts during pregnancy.
As with any herb or medicine, it’s best to talk with your doctor before taking dandelion tea if you are pregnant. They may recommend avoiding it altogether, depending on your current pregnancy condition.
Things to Know Before You Start Drinking Dandelion Tea During Pregnancy
When it comes to pregnancy and tea, you might wonder if dandelion tea is safe. Dandelion tea is generally considered safe, but there are a few things to remember.
- Check with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s okay for you to drink during pregnancy.
- Make sure you get premium-grade dandelion tea (if you are approved for drinking it) and avoid the cheap ones because you don’t want to take risks with your unborn child’s health.
- If you’re breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding after giving birth, consult your doctor before consuming this herbal remedy.
- Dandelion tea is a diuretic that can help eliminate excess water in your body. If you suffer from dehydration or excessive sweat, you must avoid it during pregnancy.
- If you’re on medication or have medical conditions such as preeclampsia or kidney disease, these conditions may affect what herbs you can safely take. So, better do your research well or consult with your practitioner.
- Don’t take suggestions on drinking dandelion tea from friends because not everyone’s pregnancy journey is the same.
- Reports of stomach upset, nausea, headache, and dizziness after drinking the tea have been reported. Don’t get petrified. These symptoms should go away with continued use of the tea or if you stop taking it altogether.
FAQs
What are the teas to avoid during pregnancy?
Every possible caffeinated tea should be avoided during pregnancy as much as possible. Such teas are black tea, green tea, matcha tea, and oolong tea. Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause hypertension, anxiety, and panic attacks after consumption. Moreover, consuming caffeinated drinks increases constipation issues for pregnant women.
How long does it take for dandelion tea to work?
Drinking dandelion comes with its own set of pros and cons. Nonetheless, everyone stays eager to see the benefits from it. It takes the highest of ten days for dandelion tea to work. When you drink this herbal tea, it should be followed by a glass of normal water for effective results.
Is dandelion tea good for weight loss?
Not directly, but dandelion tea does help in weight loss in many ways. For instance, high vitamin c content increases metabolism and promotes healthy digestion, essential to maintaining weight and losing excessive fat. Moreover, the ample potassium in dandelion tea helps reduce water content or weight by increasing urine output. For best results, drink it in the morning before having breakfast.
How to eat dandelion leaves?
Some other ways of having dandelion leaves are in the form of salad as a green. Like arugula, dandelion leaves also have a slightly bitter taste and spicy kick. If you want to avoid the bitterness in a salad, you can dry roast them before adding them to your bowl of greens.
Final Thought
When pregnant, you must be careful about whatever you take, even though it is herbal. Although dandelion tea is safe to drink during pregnancy and has numerous potential benefits, you must ensure it is safe for your baby-to-be by consulting your gynecologist/ nutritionist.
