Sage is one of the plants that are popular among expectant mothers during pregnancy due to its benefits, but caution should be exercised when consuming it during pregnancy. Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal make important statements when consuming sage and similar herbal teas in the first trimester of pregnancy. If possible, they must not be consumed at all.

Why Does Sage Cause Miscarriage Risk in Pregnant Women?

One of the questions that expectant mothers are most curious about is whether it is safe to drink sage during pregnancy. Stating that the American Pregnancy Association has research on the possibility that large amounts of sage consumption during pregnancy may be harmful, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal emphasizes that the component called thujone in sage may cause high blood pressure and miscarriage during pregnancy.

Is Sage Dangerous During Every Period of Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, it is considered that sage, cinnamon, basil, flaxseed, and raspberry teas may increase the likelihood of low consumption and especially frequent consumption in the first trimester.

Due to the blood pressure-increasing effect of sage in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, it can cause premature separation of the placenta, that is, an increased risk of detachment, especially in pregnant women who are prone to high blood pressure. Therefore, sage should not be consumed without consulting a doctor.

Which Herbal Teas Should Be Avoided With Sage?

Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal recommends that tea of plants such as basil, rosemary, lavender, blueberry, St. John's wort, melissa leaf, valerian, herbaceous, aloe vera, dandelion, which are thought to cause premature birth when consumed during pregnancy, must be consumed carefully during pregnancy and must not be consumed at all in risky situations.

Among the herbal teas that are recommended to be avoided during pregnancy, even from the moment the pregnancy is planned, are kava and St. John's wort plants, which actually have therapeutic properties. In addition, black snakeroot can be inconvenient in women because it supports the menstrual cycle (menstrual bleeding).

Caffeine is a substance that should be avoided as much as possible during pregnancy. Since green tea contains caffeine as in other teas, it should be consumed with caution.

What Herbal Teas Can You Drink?

During pregnancy, the expectant mother needs to consume plenty of fluids as her body's need for fluids increases. They should avoid black tea and coffee as much as possible because it will reduce water consumption and the caffeine in it.

Certainly, herbal teas that are useful in pregnancy can be consumed provided that they do not exceed 1, maximum of 2 cups per day. In this context, especially during pregnancy, ginger, linden, chamomile, fennel, rosehip, and melissa teas can be safely drunk to protect against diseases such as colds, flu, and catarrh and to make the immune system strong. Fennel tea is among the herbal teas that can be consumed because it helps the expectant mother to meet her fluid needs and relax, and fresh ginger tea relieves nausea and indigestion. However, dried ginger tea is not recommended during pregnancy.

Chamomile, fennel, and nettle teas can also be preferred to increase breast milk during the postpartum period. However, it is important not to consume more than 2 cups of these herbal teas during pregnancy and to consume them without waiting after brewing.

Stating that the pregnancy period is an extremely different and sensitive period in which almost all the spiritual and physical characteristics of a woman change, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal recommends that every substance eaten and drunk during pregnancy should be approved by a doctor, except for the general applicable healthy eating rules.

Raspberry tea, which is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy, can be safely drunk once or twice a day from the 4th month. Especially rich in calcium and other minerals, this tea can help nourish the uterine muscles.

Herbal teas that can be consumed during pregnancy should be preferred as plain herbs taken from herbs rather than ready-made packages taken from grocery stores.