Can I Drink Peppermint Tea While Pregnant?

There is nothing quite as comforting as a nice hot cup of tea. One of the most popular teas to drink during pregnancy is peppermint tea, likely because of the fact that it soothes many of the digestive symptoms that tend to plague pregnant people, like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and heartburn.

If peppermint tea is something you’ve been craving in pregnancy, you might be wondering whether or not it's a good option. You might want to know if there are any safety risks for you or your baby, and how much of it is safe to drink in a day.

Everything should be done in moderation during pregnancy, but peppermint tea is one of the safest teas to consume when you are expecting. Here, experts help us break down everything to know about drinking peppermint tea during pregnancy, its benefits, and any potential precautions that need to be taken.

Drinking Peppermint Tea During Pregnancy

Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot of data on the safety of herbal teas and herbal remedies during pregnancy. In most cases, though, herbal teas when consumed in moderation, are safe. There are some exceptions, of course.

For example, chamomile tea has the potential to cause uterine contractions, so it's best avoided. Additionally, teas that contain caffeine, like black tea or green tea, should be limited, since it’s recommended pregnant people keep their caffeine intake to under 200 milligrams per day.

However, peppermint tea doesn’t have any caffeine and there aren’t robust studies out there that show it to be dangerous to pregnant people or their developing babies. “It is absolutely safe to consume,” assures Cindy M. Duke, MD, OB/GYN, a fertility doctor and virologist.

The reason why some people have concerns about consuming peppermint tea during the first trimester is because of older reports of peppermint tea consumed at high doses induces menstruation. Again, this research is from over 20 years ago. It’s also about consuming excessive amounts of peppermint tea. Most experts agree that moderate amounts of peppermint tea should be fine.

Dr. Duke says that there are some differing opinions about whether you should drink it during the first trimester of pregnancy, but there’s no clear evidence showing that peppermint tea is unsafe during pregnancy.

Megan Pallister, MD, OB/GYN and Lansinoh Clinical Advisory Network Member, agrees that peppermint tea is safe for pregnant people to consume. “There is no evidence that peppermint tea stimulates uterine contractions or can cause a miscarriage,” she says.

Is Peppermint Tea Safe for Baby?

There are no known safety concerns for babies when drinking peppermint tea during pregnancy, Dr. Duke says. Again, if you are concerned about the link between peppermint tea inducing menstruation, or if you have a history of miscarriages, you can always avoid it during the first trimester, she says. But that’s not typically or strictly necessary. Other than that, there are no known safety concerns for babies, Dr. Duke says.

Janine Higbie, MS, CNS, CDN, certified dietitian nutritionist of JH Wellness, agrees with this advice, adding that if you’ve recently had a cup of peppermint tea and you're expecting, you don’t need to panic. “It's unlikely that one-to-two cups per day would pose a risk,” she says.

Benefits of Drinking Peppermint Tea During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can make digestion pretty wonky. Between morning sickness in early pregnancy, and constipation and heartburn in later pregnancy, many pregnant people are looking for relief. Peppermint tea is a great option for that.

“There are a plethora of benefits to drinking peppermint tea when pregnant,” says Dr. Duke. First, peppermint can calm your stomach muscles, and can improve symptoms of indigestion and heartburn. “Peppermint tea also acts as an antispasmodic, which means it helps with morning sickness and persistent nausea,” she says.

Peppermint can also help relax you during pregnancy, Dr. Duke describes. “The aromatic nature of the tea helps with calm and promotes relaxation, effectively relieving stress,” she suggests.

Finally, unlike some other teas and favorite hot beverages, peppermint tea is caffeine-free. “Caffeine can cause adverse effects in infants, so peppermint tea is one of the best options,” Dr. Duke describes.

Safety Precautions

Peppermint tea is generally safe and there aren’t many special steps you need to take to make it a risk-free experience. However, there are few common sense precautions to keep in mind.

Limit to Two Cups Per Day

Like with everything else, you don’t want to go overboard on your consumption of peppermint tea. “It is best to limit your tea intake to one or two cups a day,” Dr. Pallister suggests. Dr. Duke agrees with this recommendation. “Drink no more than two cups per day, as larger quantities can upset the stomach and cause other adverse effects,” she suggests.

Limit Added Sugar

Pregnant people should limit their sugar intake, because of concerns like gestational diabetes (diabetes that can develop during pregnancy). That’s why you should make mindful choices about how you are sweetening your peppermint tea.

“The general rule of thumb is to have no more than 30 grams of free sugar a day,” says Dr. Duke. “Lemon, honey, and agave are all safe sweeteners to add to your tea while pregnant.”

Don’t Consume Peppermint in Other Forms

When consuming peppermint, it’s best to stick to teas. “I do not recommend peppermint in the form of a tincture or essential oil,” Higbie says.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), tinctures and extracts are much more potent than teas. So consuming other forms of peppermint mean you will be consuming a might higher concentration, which may be less safe for you and your baby.

A Word From Verywell

Peppermint tea is one of the most widely consumed teas during pregnancy, and with good reason. It’s caffeine-free, can soothe an upset stomach, promote relaxation, and is considered safe for pregnant people and their babies. That said, every expectant parent is different and may have specific concerns about drinking peppermint tea. If you are unsure if drinking this tea is right for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your OB/GYN, midwife, or healthcare provider.