Is Ginger Tea Safe During Pregnancy? Health Benefits & Side Effects 2024

Remembering what’s safe to eat and what’s better to avoid when pregnant isn’t always easy. The list of forbidden foods and drinks seems never-ending and keeps updating every couple of years to include more. And what about your own personal preferences? Plenty of foods exist that, while safe or healthy in general, may contribute to morning sickness or digestion trouble you personally. 

If you like to enjoy an occasional cup of tea, you might be wondering what tea I can drink while pregnant? Generally, it is alright to consume decaffeinated herbal teas during pregnancy moderately. Do you probably know that some herbal blends even contain some benefits for pregnant women, but is ginger tea safe during pregnancy?

With herbal teas, try to stick with one to two cups daily and switch up which kind you enjoy. And, as always, consult with your gynecologist to ensure this is the most updated information.

If you’re experiencing morning sickness during your first trimester, ginger can help. It can also assist with reversing the effects of nausea if you’re dealing with vomiting all day long. Ginger tea has been known to help pregnant women feel better for various reasons we’ll get into later. Ginger is especially well-known for aiding digestion and relieving an aching tummy. 

If you are someone who doesn’t prefer the taste of manufactured ginger tea, try blending it with other teas, such as green tea. This might improve the flavor for you, or you can try opting for a homemade version. Boil some ginger sticks in water with lime, lemon, or orange slices. 

Some doctors might recommend taking ginger supplements in cases of extreme nausea in addition to your regular prenatal vitamins. This can help your upset stomach, especially during the first and second trimesters. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about safe supplements and discuss possible interactions with anything else you’re taking during this time.

Health Benefits of Ginger Tea for Pregnant Women

When you’re pregnant, you will likely experience unfamiliar symptoms, ailments, and discomfort. As you carry a baby to term, you may feel or experience gastrointestinal issues. Ginger tea can help with various conditions and does so naturally without any side effects or dangers. 

This is especially helpful because, as a pregnant woman, you don’t want to take too much medicine. You might also be hesitant to try over-the-counter drugs. This is due to many unknown or scary side effects. Rightfully so, you look for more natural remedies. Sometimes alternative medicine can provide a less risky solution to whatever is ailing you. 

That’s why many expectant mothers look to ginger tea. Studies show that ginger tea can help pregnant women^[5] who suffer from 

• Morning sickness
• Sore throats
• Digestion issues
• Upset stomachs
• Insomnia
• Muscle soreness and fatigue
• Irregular blood pressure
• Anxiety surrounding pregnancy, labor, or delivery
• Immune deficiency

If you especially have trouble sleeping, a cup of chamomile ginger tea before bedtime might aid digestion and allow you to better prepare for rest. Sometimes a splash of warm cream can also prepare the mind and body for a peaceful sleep to ease the pain of other pregnancy symptoms.

How Much Ginger Tea Should You Drink When Pregnant?

When pregnant, it’s important not to overdo it when drinking or eating anything. Instead, avoid what you must, and go easy on everything else. By doing this, you and your baby can benefit from a diverse diet with plenty of needed plant proteins, good fats, fruits, and veggies. 

If you find that drinking ginger tea is a tasty and beneficial part of your routine, most doctors consider between one to two cups a day safe during pregnancy. This is especially true up until the third trimester. 

As you get closer to your due date, it is recommended that you avoid ginger tea altogether because some studies suggest that it may increase bleeding^[6] during labor.

Ginger Tea Recipes for Pregnant Women

Drinking a variety of different teas is smart because it allows you to diversify your tea intake. In addition, you will benefit from more limited exposure to herbal mixes if you drink numerous types rather than just one all the time. 

Many stores carry dried ginger tea either in unique blends or in their own teabags. For example, ginger clove tea is a popular blend, as well as ginger and green tea or ginger and turmeric tea. 

You can also make homemade ginger tea yourself. All you need is some raw ginger root that can be found in most grocery stores’ produce sections. Then, add any additional ingredients you might enjoy for taste. This can include cloves, honey, cinnamon sticks, and orange, lemon, or lime slices. 

To start, slice or grate about one teaspoon of raw ginger root and steep it in boiling hot water for five minutes. As it starts to cool, take a sip of the tea to see if you need to alter the flavor to your liking further. If you want more of a ginger taste, add some extra raw ginger root. If it’s too strong, add more hot water. This is also where you’d add other flavors or sweeteners if you so choose. 

Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before drinking, and be sure to sip slowly to enjoy its natural benefits. Drinking ginger tea too quickly can add to your nausea rather than take it away. 

Potential Side Effects

Too much of anything is a bad idea, and ginger is no different. If you stay with small doses, you won’t experience any side effects if at all. 

At the same time, let’s err on the side of caution and mention a few rare side effects just in case you happen to experience something. Be aware of your consumption levels and lower the chance of having any issues. And always, especially while pregnant, consult your physician with any specific questions. 

Some side effects^[6] from ginger tea can include: 

• Rashes, if it gets on your skin 
• Mouth sores or irritation
• Upset stomach
• Gas
• Heartburn
• Mild headaches
• Sweating
• Sleepiness
• Itchy skin

Lemon ginger tea, in addition to tasting good, might also help with some of these side effects such as gas or heartburn. 

What about more serious risks? 

Some doctors believe that ginger raises the risk of bleeding^[6]. As a result, they want you to stop drinking any ginger teas leading up to and including labor and delivery. 

Drinking ginger tea may not be a good idea for pregnant women with underlying bleeding disorders. This is especially true if you take regular medications like blood thinners. You also want to avoid ginger tea if you suffer from high blood sugar, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

The Bottom Line

Consuming ginger during pregnancy has been known to help women dealing with nausea, anxiety, vomiting, and other ailments. As a result, ginger tea is often recommended, in small doses, during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. 

Always contact your doctor for specific guidance, but since ginger tea can cause bleeding, pregnant women shouldn’t drink it in the last trimester or lead up to labor. 

Around one to two cups of ginger tea daily is considered safe for pregnant women. Side effects are minimal and rare. However, if you have a history of bleeding disorders or take certain medication, it may not be safe even in small doses.

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