Is it Safe to Drink Linden Tea During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy entails a series of changes, both in the woman’s body and in her dietary pattern. She needs to make certain restrictions so as not to compromise the development of the fetus or condition its future health. For this reason, we’re going to tell you if it’s possible to consume linden tea during pregnancy.
Before starting, you should note that all drinks containing caffeine should be limited during all three trimesters of pregnancy, as this alkaloid could cause alterations in the baby. In fact, it could even cause a miscarriage. Therefore, you should be careful with soft drinks, coffee and, above all, tea.
Linden tea during pregnancy
Lime blossom is the linden flower and is mainly consumed in order to induce relaxation or to soothe some sort of discomfort. However, there’s not enough evidence to ensure its safety during pregnancy. For this reason, it’s best to avoid its inclusion in the diet of the pregnant woman.
It’s possible for some of the bioactive components that are concentrated in its interior to cross the placenta and cause damage to the fetus’ body.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a substance to soothe a cough or relieve a sore throat, headache, or any other discomfort, it would be wiser to first ask a specialist before drinking any infusion. At least while you’re pregnant.
Many of the herbs used to prepare commonly consumed beverages interact with certain drugs or produce side effects in high doses.
Some women use linden tea frequently due to its benefits at bedtime. This herb improves the quality of rest, as it has anxiolytic and somniferous properties. Instead, during pregnancy, it’s better to respect hormonal circadian rhythms and go to bed early, avoid exposure to blue light during the night, or do some relaxation practice. This also helps to avoid premature births, according to research published in Frontiers in Endocrinology.
It should be noted that the consumption of linden may cause a slight dilution of the blood, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women in the third trimester. Associated risks are excessive bleeding during the postpartum period and anemia.
Infusions that can be included in your diet during pregnancy
Although it’s best to restrict linden tea during pregnancy, it’s true that infusions increase the feeling of well-being. For this reason, you can opt for some alternatives, such as valerian or chamomile. The latter stands out for its carminative properties, which help to improve digestion and reduce intestinal gas.
However, to ensure that the digestion process is really optimal, it’s essential that you ensure the health of your microbiota. And for this, it’s best to eat fermented foods frequently, according to a study published in the journal Current Opinion in Biotechnology.
In any case, to maintain a good state of health throughout your pregnancy, as well as proper functionality, it’s a good idea to promote good lifestyle habits. For example, optimizing your diet, avoiding sedentary lifestyles, reducing exposure to sunlight, and ensuring an adequate night’s rest.
Don’t consume linden tea during pregnancy!
As you’ve been able to verify, the consumption of linden tea during pregnancy isn’t recommended because there aren’t enough studies that evaluate the safety of this infusion. Therefore, it could generate a series of negative alterations on the development of the fetus that you should avoid.
It’s always advisable to appeal to caution and avoid its inclusion in the diet. Especially when there are other alternatives to promote relaxation that can be put into practice.
Finally, if you have doubts about the possibility of including a certain product, supplement, or infusion in your diet, it’s best to go to a nutrition professional. They’ll be able to advise you properly and help you to make a menu that’s suitable for your needs.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- European Medicines Agency. (22 de mayo de 2012). Assessment report on Tilia cordata Miller, Tilia platyphyllos scop., Tilia x vulgaris Heyne or their mixtures, flos. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-tilia-cordata-miller-tilia-platyphyllos-scop-tilia-x-vulgaris-heyne-their_en.pdf
- Mount Sinai. (s. f.). Linden. Consultado el 25 de octubre de 2023. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/linden
- Pacheco, D., & Callender, E. (1 de marzo de 2023). Pregnancy and sleep: tips, sleep, positions and issues. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. (abril 2023). Herbal teas during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Australian Government. Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/herbal-teas-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding
- U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (30 de septiembre de 2019). Las medicinas y el embarazo. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/free-publications-women/las-medicinas-y-el-embarazo-medicine-and-pregnancy