Chamomile tea and pregnancy: Is it safe to drink?

Updated Feb 28, 2024
Chamomile tea and pregnancy: Is it safe to drink? | Huckleberry

The following article includes discussion around miscarriage. We acknowledge that this topic may be difficult. We encourage you to take care of your well-being in reading such a topic as this.

Whether this is your first pregnancy or your fifth, getting a good night’s rest can sometimes be difficult. If you are like many pregnant caregivers, you’ve either tried (or thought about trying) natural remedies such as chamomile tea to help you sleep and hopefully improve your quality of life.

Chamomile is extremely popular, it has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years and has been described in several ancient civilizations. It’s used as a folk remedy for several conditions including sleeplessness, anxiety, nausea, stomach upset, mouth sores, and some skin conditions. [1]

With so many people using chamomile during pregnancy, it may seem fairly straightforward to find out whether or not it is safe to use. Unfortunately, like many substances during pregnancy, it isn’t. While chamomile has been shown to be mildly effective at treating some disorders such as nausea, sleeplessness, and anxiety, there hasn’t been enough research to verify its safety during pregnancy.


IN THIS ARTICLE:

Is chamomile tea safe to drink during pregnancy?

Benefits of chamomile tea in pregnancy

Risks of chamomile tea in pregnancy

Alternatives to chamomile tea

Healthy and safe sleep tips to consider

Takeaway

Chamomile tea during pregnancy FAQ


Despite its long history, we still don’t know a lot about how safe it is during pregnancy because there aren’t enough scientific studies. For that reason, we believe it’s best to avoid using any herbal or medicinal product such as chamomile during pregnancy until its safety has been well-established through good scientific research.

Some scientific research has shown that chamomile may be beneficial both during and outside of pregnancy. Still, there simply isn’t enough quality evidence that demonstrates it is actually safe for you and your baby. Due to this lack of safety data, governmental agencies in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union recommend avoiding chamomile – especially Roman Chamomile – during pregnancy. [2, 3, 4, 5]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require manufacturers of chamomile to go through the FDA’s rigorous approval process for safety like conventional drugs because it's considered to be a dietary supplement.  Even though chamomile doesn’t have to go through the FDA approval process, many organizations and researchers have tried to evaluate chamomile as a medicinal remedy, and there are some studies that demonstrate good results on its effectiveness and show some potential downsides to it as well. Unfortunately, many of those studies are small and some of them are not done very well. 

Because of the limited amount of scientific data, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, through the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, has only stated that little is known about whether it’s safe to use chamomile during pregnancy and has not provided official guidance to assist in the decision-making process.

Please consult your obstetrician before choosing to take any herbal supplements. Chamomile tea’s safety has not been well-established through good medical evidence.

Unlike black tea and green tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant, pure chamomile tea does not contain any caffeine (sometimes found in Sleepytime ® by Celestial Seasoning). The concern many researchers have with drinking chamomile tea in pregnancy is not caffeine, but the unknown potential for pregnancy outcomes. 

If you were to drink black tea or any other product that contains caffeine, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists recommends limiting caffeine to less than 200 mg per day [6]. That’s about four 8-ounce cups of black tea or one 12-ounce cup of coffee. Just remember, moderation is key! 

Although we currently don’t know for sure whether chamomile is safe, researchers continue to explore the safety and effectiveness of chamomile tea during pregnancy. Chamomile may treat a variety of conditions, both during and outside of pregnancy, including: 

  • Sleep quality. While chamomile may not be effective in treating individuals with insomnia, chamomile may help improve sleep quality in people without insomnia. [7] It is common in bedtime teas such as Sleepytime ® by Celestial Seasoning.

  • Relaxation. Symptoms of anxiety may be relieved after 2 – 4 weeks of consuming chamomile. [7]

  • Nausea. Despite the lack of available safety data, the World Health Organization recommends chamomile for the relief of nausea in early pregnancy, “based on a woman’s preferences and available options. [7]

  • Labor. Chamomile has properties that stimulate uterine contractions, and one of the concerns with chamomile is the possibility of preterm delivery. One study from Iran looked at how chamomile may help induce labor if you are past your due date [8], but other researchers have not confirmed this.

  • Menstrual problems. Outside of pregnancy, taking chamomile can be effective in treating painful and heavy periods. [9]

Before taking any medication or supplement, it’s important to know precisely what you are consuming, especially when it comes to chamomile tea. Sometimes botanical products are sold with additional ingredients that may not be prominently labeled on the packaging. 

There are some general risks of chamomile tea that you should be aware of, even outside of pregnancy. These risks include: 

Certain anticoagulants or blood thinners could be made worse when taken along with chamomile. Fortunately, the offending medication (warfarin) is not used during pregnancy.

Because of the relaxing effect of chamomile, it can interact with other substances such as alcohol and benzodiazepines to cause excess sedation. However, note that alcohol and/or benzodiazepine use is generally not recommended during pregnancy. Consult with your medical provider if you have concerns.

Chamomile use during the third trimester was reported in one study [10] to be associated with a higher incidence of preterm birth, shorter newborns, and low birth weight compared with non-users.

Some people may have an allergic reaction to chamomile, and that risk may be higher in those with hay fever and bronchial asthma caused by a variety of pollens from grass, olive, and mugwort. Symptoms of an allergic reaction could include rash, red eye, difficulty breathing, or swelling. [11] These reactions can happen both during and outside of pregnancy - but you should be extra careful to avoid any allergic reaction during pregnancy.

Some folk remedies claim that chamomile may cause you to have a menstrual period or that it may cause you to have a miscarriage. This myth has unfortunately carried over into the medical literature and confused the issue amongst patients and practitioners alike. For example, in 2010 a survey done in Italy associated chamomile with threatened miscarriages [12]. The problem is that this was a survey given to new parent’s a few days after delivering a live baby, and the threatened miscarriages were not miscarriages at all.

So while there is some evidence to show chamomile may stimulate the pregnant uterus in the third-trimester [13], we could find no scientific evidence to show chamomile will actually cause an early miscarriage or abortion. 

If you are struggling with morning sickness, consider these safe alternatives from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:

  • Eat dry toast or crackers in the morning before you get out of bed to avoid moving around on an empty stomach (having it on your bedside table helps!).

  • Eat five or six “mini meals” a day to ensure that your stomach is never empty.

  • Eat frequent bites of foods like nuts, fruits, or crackers.

  • Ginger is safe and effective for helping with morning sickness.

  • Vitamin B6 is a safe, over-the-counter treatment that may be tried first for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

  • Doxylamine, a medication found in over-the-counter sleep aids, can be added if Vitamin B6 alone does not relieve symptoms.

If you are pregnant and experiencing difficulties with sleep, we recommend you speak with your obstetric provider and consider the following tips:

  • Follow a consistent pre-bed routine.

  • Create a relaxing environment (keep the bedroom dark and cool and consider white noise).

  • Try to avoid blue light from electronics before bedtime.

  • Avoid chemicals that interfere with sleep (caffeine, sugar, and alcohol). 

  • Aim for a consistent bedtime and wake-up time within the same thirty-minute window in order to help regulate your internal clock.

  • Chamomile is a botanical herb that has been used for its medicinal purposes for thousands of years and has been shown to help in relieving some symptoms of sleeplessness, anxiety, upset stomach, nausea, and skin conditions. 

  • Despite its long history, there aren’t enough scientific studies about chamomile during pregnancy. For that reason, we believe it’s best to avoid using any herbal or medicinal product such as chamomile during pregnancy until its safety has been well-established through good scientific research. 

  • If you are pregnant and experiencing difficulties with sleep, we recommend you speak with your obstetric provider and consider these healthy and safe sleeping tips.

Chamomile tea during pregnancy FAQ

Q: Which teas are good for sleep during pregnancy?

A:

As a hot beverage, a cup of tea can be very soothing and relaxing. Any type of decaffeinated black tea or green tea may help – and with the many options on flavors available, experiment and find the ones you love the best. Be sure to look closely at the ingredients and speak with your obstetric provider if you aren’t sure about their safety.

Q: Which teas should you avoid when pregnant?

A:

Black Cohosh [14] and Blue Cohosh [15] due to possible risks of stroke, heart problems, and miscarriage. Caffeinated [16] teas should be limited to no more than four 8-ounce cups per day based on the average caffeine content of these teas. Licorice [17] is associated with preterm birth, preeclampsia, and some psychosocial issues during early childhood. Hibiscus [18] as it may suppress implantation in early pregnancy. Ma Huang [19] because it is the source of ephedra, a stimulant that can cause significant problems with your heart and blood pressure. Pennyroyal [20] as it may cause miscarriage. St John’s Wort [21] should be avoided as some studies suggest bad outcomes – however, more studies are needed to ensure its safety in pregnancy. Sleepytime ® by Celestial Seasonings makes more than a dozen herbal teas that contain a variety of herbs including chamomile, licorice, and others. We recommend you carefully look at the ingredients of any tea you consume during pregnancy and check with your obstetric provider to help ensure it is safe for you and your baby.

Q: Can chamomile tea induce labor?

A:

There is some evidence that chamomile tea can lead to early labor and preterm birth. Other studies suggest it may help start labor in those past their due date. Right now, there isn’t enough data to support using chamomile tea to induce labor, and we recommend you discuss safer and more effective ways [22] to induce labor with your obstetric provider.

Q: Does drinking chamomile tea help with morning sickness?

A:

While the World Health Organization recommends chamomile for the relief of nausea in early pregnancy, “based on a woman’s preferences and available options,” [24] there is only one medical study [23] that showed chamomile is better than a placebo for improving morning sickness.

Q: How much chamomile tea is too much during pregnancy?

A:

While chamomile tea has been used throughout the centuries for a variety of medicinal remedies, there aren’t enough studies to show that it is safe during pregnancy. So, we recommend you avoid chamomile tea altogether and consider other options for treating your symptoms.

Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.

24 Sources

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  2. Herbal medicines: Safety during pregnancy. (2022). SPS - Specialist Pharmacy Service.

  3. European Medicines Agency Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). (2015). European Union herbal monograph on Matricaria recutita L., flos. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-matricaria-recutita-l-flos-first-version_en.pdf

  4. European Medicines Agency Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). (2011). Community herbal monograph on Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., flos. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-chamaemelum-nobile-l-all-flos_en.pdf

  5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Ask ACOG: How much coffee can I drink while I’m pregnant? https://www.acog.org/en/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/how-much-coffee-can-i-drink-while-pregnant

  6. Geneva: World Health Organization (2019). WHO Consolidated Guideline on Self-Care Interventions for Health: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Chapter 4: Recommendations. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544165/

  7. Gholami, F., et. al. (2016). Onset of Labor in Post-Term Pregnancy by Chamomile. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 18(11), e19871. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5301993/

  8. Niazi, A., & Moradi, M. (2021). The Effect of Chamomile on Pain and Menstrual Bleeding in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, 9(3), 174–186. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8242407/

  9. Trabace, L., et. al. (2015). “Natural” relief of pregnancy-related symptoms and neonatal outcomes: Above all do no harm. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 174, 396–402. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874115301136?via%3Dihub

  10. Fleming, T. (Ed.). (2000). PDR for herbal medicines (2., rev. ed). Medical Economics Co.

  11. Cuzzolin, L., et. al. (2010). Use of herbal products among 392 Italian pregnant women: Focus on pregnancy outcome. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 19(11), 1151–1158. https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.2040

  12. Gholami, F. et. al. (2016). Onset of Labor in Post-Term Pregnancy by Chamomile. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 18(11), e19871. https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.19871

  13. Dugoua, et al. (2006). Can J Clin Pharamcol Vol 13(3) Fall 2006:e257-e261; November 3, 2006. https://jptcp.com/index.php/jptcp/article/view/130/99

  14. Dugoua, et al. (2008). Safety and efficacy of blue cohosh (caulophyllum thalictroides) during pregnancy and lactationCan J Clin Pharmacol Vol 15 (1) Winter 2008:e66-e73. https://jptcp.com/index.php/jptcp/article/view/192/151

  15. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2023). How much coffee can I drink while I'm pregnant? https://www.acog.org/en/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/how-much-coffee-can-i-drink-while-pregnant

  16. Muñoz Balbontín, Y., Stewart, D., Shetty, A., Fitton, C. A., & McLay, J. S. (2019). Herbal Medicinal Product Use During Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period: A Systematic Review. Obstetrics and gynecology, 133(5), 920–932. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003217

  17. Chaudhury, R. (1993). The Quest for a Herbal Contraceptive. The National Medical Journal of India. http://archive.nmji.in/approval/archive/Volume-6/issue-5/editorials-2.pdf

  18. Samenuk, D., Link, M. S., Homoud, M. K., Contreras, R., Theoharides, T. C., Wang, P. J., & Estes, N. A., 3rd (2002). Adverse cardiovascular events temporally associated with ma huang, an herbal source of ephedrine. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 77(1), 12–16. https://doi.org/10.4065/77.1.12

  19. Gold, J., & Cates, W., Jr (1980). Herbal abortifacients. JAMA, 243(13), 1365–1366.

  20. Dugoua, et al. (2006). Safety and efficacy of St. John’s wort (hypericum) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol Vol 13(3) Fall 2006:e268-e276. https://jptcp.com/index.php/jptcp/article/view/129/98

  21. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2023). Labor Induction FAQ. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/labor-induction

  22. Matthews A, Haas DM, O'Mathúna DP, Dowswell T, Doyle M. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 3. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007575.pub3/full

  23. Geneva: World Health Organization (2019). WHO Consolidated Guideline on Self-Care Interventions for Health: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Chapter 4: Recommendations. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544165/