Herbal Pregnancy Tea Blend
Herbal tea is a great way to stay hydrated and help prepare the body for birth during pregnancy. This blend is suitable for before, during, and after pregnancy, and really, anytime!
Staying hydrated is a major concern during pregnancy. Our bodies are building an entire new person, another organ, and increasing our blood supply by 50%, and that requires sufficient fluid intake.
Drinking lots of plain water is a great step. A squeeze of lemon does a lot for me when I’m battling early nausea! But other beverages can be a great addition to a woman’s diet during pregnancy, too.
One of my favorite things to drink during pregnancy is an herbal tea blend featuring red raspberry leaf, other nutrient herbs, and some herbs with a pleasing, soothing flavor. Though I’ve bought blends premade, I really like making my own.
This blend that I’m sharing here is just right to drink before, during, and after pregnancy, or anytime you want some gentle nutrients along with your hydration.
Beneficial Herbs for Pregnancy
This herbal tea blend is filled with herbs that are beneficial during pregnancy.
- Red raspberry leaf is a uterine tonic, strengthening the organ and helping prepare it for labor.
- Alfalfa is a nutrient herb that offers many vitamins and minerals, particularly Vitamin K.
- Nettle is a general body tonic and mild detoxifying herb that is safe for pregnancy. It also provide many nutrients.
- Chamomile encourages good digestion and can help sooth nausea, while also promoting restfulness.
- Spearmint is milder and sweeter than peppermint while providing similar gentle benefits to digestion and reducing nausea.
- Rose hips provide Vitamin C and add a touch of tart flavor to the tea blend.
While these herbs were specifically chosen with pregnancy in mind, the blend really is an excellent combination to drink anytime. It is also safe for children and would make an excellent drink for them during sickness.
Herbal Pregnancy Tea Blend
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I like measuring herbs by weight when I am creating blends. Measuring by volume for an end product like this wouldn’t be dangerous, but it would be more difficult to tell how much of each herb is really in the blend. My inexpensive digital kitchen scale works really well for accurately measuring herbs.
For this blend, you’ll need:
- 40 grams red raspberry leaf
- 20 grams alfalfa
- 20 grams nettle
- 10 grams chamomile
- 10 grams spearmint
- 10 grams rose hips
Combine the herbs in a bowl, then scoop into a quart sized mason jar or other glass storage container. Store away from heat and light if at all possible.
To brew the tea, scoop one loose tablespoon of leaves into a mesh tea ball or muslin tea bag, then steep in 2 cups of boiled water. The tea can be steeped for as little at 15 minutes, but more beneficial compounds will be released with a longer infusion time.
I typically make a double batch of this in a quart jar, let it steep for a couple of hours, and then drink it over ice through the afternoon or evening. In the winter I occasionally drink it hot. If you prefer, you can of course add some honey or lemon to add more flavor, too.
I get my herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs and Bulk Herb Store. Both of these excellent herbal suppliers also carry tea supplies and their own suitable blends for pregnancy. If buying the individual herbs needed for this blend is more than you’d like to do, I’d recommend either of their blends.
Is there an herbal tea you enjoy during pregnancy?
References
Fritchey, Philip. Practical Herbalism. Whitman Publications, Warsaw, Indiana. 2004. (found here).
Hawkins, Jessie. Botanical Medicine in the Home. Vintage Remedies, Franklin, Tennessee. 2013. (found here).
Hoffman, David. Medicinal Herbalism. Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont. 2003. (found here).