I felt such awful nausea when I was pregnant! It took me considerable time hanging over the toilet bowl rather than sitting on it! Gratefully, I discovered that there were some pregnancy-safe teas available to treat this feeling effectively.
Nausea can span the first trimester or last the entire pregnancy. According to the Health Department of WA, it can affect 70 – 80% of pregnant women.
Ginger, chamomile, peppermint and lemon balm can each provide timely relief for nausea, otherwise known as ‘morning sickness’. They are considered safe and effective teas for pregnant women to drink during this time.
I have come up with a selection of herbal teas which can calm your upset stomach during this rewarding time.
Ginger tea could ease nausea experienced when pregnant
Nausea and upset stomach are common symptoms of pregnancy. Luckily, Ginger Tea can be a delicious natural remedy to solve your problem.
Nausea can feel like a low-level discomfort in your stomach that lasts all day, or it could be accompanied by the urge to vomit. The change in hormone levels and your body's metabolism can be responsible for this symptom of pregnancy.
Ginger Tea can ease the symptoms of pregnancy nausea by increasing the movement of food in your gastric region. Increased movement of food means your stomach empties quickly, and your nausea can be relieved.
A study showed the effectiveness of ginger in relieving nausea in pregnancy. Ginger was found to be an effective natural remedy that increased food movement in the gastric region. Gingerol, the active ingredient in ginger, works to soothe your overactive gut and relieve your nauseous stomach.
Moreover, ginger tea has the added benefit of soothing your raw throat if you have been vomiting. Not all nausea is accompanied by vomiting, but it can be a problem that some pregnant women experience.
When you vomit more than once, your stomach acids can travel back up the esophagus. The acid leaves your throat feeling raw and sore. The name for this condition is Esophagitis.
With its anti-inflammatory properties, the gingerol in ginger tea can help fight infections and relieve a sore throat caused by vomiting when pregnant. Sipping ginger tea may warm your throat and soothe this unpleasant side effect.
The good news is that you shouldn't be vomiting forever; however, if you vomit to excess, it is essential to seek medical treatment.
Learn more about other benefits of ginger on digestive issues in this article.
Summary:The active ingredient in ginger, gingerol, can work to settle your overactive gut and prevent or reduce nausea when pregnant. Your nausea might be a low-level feeling of discomfort or more severe nausea involving vomiting. Ginger tea has the added benefit of soothing a raw throat because of acid caused by excessive vomiting. |
Peppermint tea can soothe your nauseous stomach when pregnant
Peppermint Tea has calming properties to ease the feelings of nausea associated with pregnancy. With its delicious taste, it can make your breath smell fresh and soothe your stomach when you are pregnant.
Like ginger tea, peppermint can help with nausea by calming your stomach. Moreover, with its antispasmodic qualities, peppermint can also relax your abdominal muscles, helping bile break down your gut fats to make you feel less bilious.
It will be more effective to sip peppermint mint tea following a meal to settle your stomach.
Pregnant women can also use peppermint tea to treat low blood sugar levels due to excessive nausea and vomiting while pregnant. If you vomit excessively, you can be left with very little in your stomach. Not having enough in your stomach can cause your blood sugar levels to dip drastically.
An occasional mild hyperglycemic (low blood sugar) episode will not harm your baby, but you should seek medical attention if it is ongoing. A more severe complication, Gestational diabetes, which occurs only during pregnancy, will require further treatment by a medical practitioner.
When mixed with a teaspoon of honey, peppermint tea can aid in the recovery from low blood sugar levels due to excessive vomiting. This delicious pick-me-up is a natural and easy remedy to prepare.
Summary:Peppermint Tea can soothe and settle your stomach and the feelings associated with morning sickness. When sipped, it can relax your stomach and break down the fats in your gut. When consumed with a natural sweetener, peppermint can help treat lower blood sugar levels whilst pregnant. |
Lemon balm tea could help reduce the feelings of nausea in pregnancy
Stress can raise cortisol levels during pregnancy, resulting in nausea. Lemon Balm Tea is a pleasant citrus flavoured tea that could effectively reduce nausea caused by stress.
As we know, stress can make us feel sick, even if we are not pregnant! There are a couple of reasons why you may be experiencing stress when pregnant. You may be worried about the birth and how you are going to cope. These are some of the reasons causing your cortisol levels to rise during pregnancy.
Fragrant lemon balm tea can provide relief from pregnancy stress and nausea almost immediately. The active ingredient in lemon balm, Rosmarinic Acid, can effectively lower high cortisol levels that make you feel unwell.
This study shows how beneficial lemon balm can be for treating stress and anxiety. It was found to reduce cortisol levels and delivered the same results as commercial medications without unwanted side effects.
Lemon balm tea can safely be consumed in moderation over short periods. When sipped once a day, the tea can have a calming effect to help reduce cortisol levels and feelings of nausea. Try brewing this citrus flavoured tea in hot water, using a loose-leaf infuser for best results.
You should not sip more than two cups a day for a period of up to three weeks. It is recommended to stop for a week before consuming again. Always seek medical advice if you think your condition is severe.
Summary:Lemon balm tea can help to lower high cortisol levels, which cause nausea during pregnancy. High cortisol levels can make you feel stressed, which can lead to pregnancy-induced hypertension if not treated. Sipping on lemon balm tea can have a positive effect and decrease the feelings of nausea. |
Chamomile can help calm my stomach whilst pregnant
If you have just eaten and feel nauseous, Chamomile Tea is a calming drink that can help settle your stomach while pregnant.
Chamomile has the active ingredient apigenin, which acts as a mild tranquilliser to relax your stomach and keep food moving through your system. It can make your stomach and digestive muscles relax to get rid of that unpleasant feeling.
Some studies showed that chamomile extract might relieve the feelings of morning sickness. They even showed that chamomile is more effective than ginger when treating these uncomfortable feelings.
Moreover, chamomile also contains flavonoids which have a beneficial role in controlling pregnancy weight gain. So much goodness in a cup!
When you deliver your bundle of joy, you can continue to benefit from the healing and soothing properties of chamomile. Check out this article to discover how chamomile tea can help your little one with a range of symptoms from colic to constipation.
If you want to try some suggested teas above in a tea blend, Jolie Matin Morning Sickness Tea may be a suitable choice for you. Containing chamomile, ginger, and peppermint, this delicious blend can help your pregnancy be more enjoyable.
Summary:Chamomile tea is a calming drink which can relax your stomach and digestive muscles. The active ingredient in chamomile, apigenin, acts as a safe and mild tranquiliser to allow food to move through your system and alleviate nausea. |
How to naturally treat electrolyte imbalance caused by pregnancy vomiting?
If you have been vomiting over a long period caused by nausea during pregnancy, you can feel weak due to electrolyte imbalance. Consistently low levels of electrolytes can cause health issues, especially if you are growing a new being inside! In this case, natural drinks rich in electrolytes can restore you to your healthy self.
The naturally occurring electrolytes in our bodies are sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Consuming liquids like natural drinks and teas after vomiting will hydrate and help restore lost electrolytes.
Here are some natural drinks that will restore essential electrolytes.
- Coconut water contains essential electrolytes, and it can restore hydration.
- Milk works to keep your body hydrated longer as it stays in your stomach for longer.
- Watermelon water contains electrolytes and is made up of 90% water for hydration.
- Fruit juices are very versatile and contain electrolytes. Fruits such as strawberries and mangoes are best.
- Smoothies may give you a combination of milk and fruit to restore electrolytes and provide nourishment when made with banana or avocado.
You can also drink herbal teas such as ginger, lemon balm, chamomile, and peppermint to balance electrolytes by adding a pinch of sea salt to your tea.
The inclusion of sea salt ensures that you are replacing the sodium you can lose from vomiting. Make these refreshing drinks ahead of time and store them in the fridge for use when your electrolytes are low.
If you have tried all the suggested natural remedies to become rehydrated and you can’t stop vomiting, it is essential to seek medical attention.
Summary:If you are experiencing nausea to the point of vomiting when pregnant, you may have depleted electrolytes. Consuming drinks such as coconut water, milk, and watermelon water can replenish electrolytes. Add a pinch of salt to one of your favourite teas, such as lemon balm, peppermint, chamomile, or ginger, to restore low sodium levels. |
Other tips to relieve nausea in pregnancy
While you won't stop nausea and morning sickness from occurring, you can reduce the uncomfortable feelings in other ways also. Here is a list of suggestions.
- Avoid caffeine. Consuming caffeine, especially during the first trimester, can affect your baby's birth weight. Low birth weight can occur when caffeine passes through to the baby via the placenta, where the baby gets all its nutrients and oxygen.
- Keep a window open so you can always get fresh air. One of the first things we feel like doing when we feel ill is to get some fresh air. Always ensure adequate ventilation. Sometimes a fan by the bed can help you get some much-needed sleep.
- Snack away. Small meals regularly could probably reduce the likelihood of nausea. Choose healthy options such as fruit and vegetable snacks.
- Avoid spicy or fatty foods. Food high in fat may sit in your stomach and make you feel queasy. Spicy foods could irritate an already upset stomach. Take a break from your favourite takeaway until you can enjoy it again.
- Stay away from cigarette smoke. Second-hand smoke smells terrible. It can also damage your unborn child.
- Rest or have a nap. If you are feeling tired in the afternoon, put your feet up and have a quick nap. You will benefit from shutting your eyes, if only for 15 minutes.
- Avoid smells that make you feel sick. Some smells turn your stomach. For me, it was cooked chickens in the supermarket.
- Keep moving. You don't need to exercise vigorously, but you should keep moving during your pregnancy. Yoga and gentle walking can be beneficial for your upset stomach.
Summary:To reduce the symptoms of nausea while pregnant by avoiding the things that make you feel ill, remain hydrated, avoid caffeine, rest up when you feel tired and try to keep moving in the fresh air. Each woman has her triggers and responds to treatment differently. |
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a time of excitement and joy for many women, while nausea is a common and treatable complaint experienced by pregnant women worldwide. If you are experiencing nausea, several organic herbal teas can provide relief. Warm ginger, refreshing peppermint, calming chamomile, and relaxing lemon balm can be beneficial in treating nausea at this vital time.
As with anything, moderation is always the best approach. I'm sure you will agree that sipping a calming fragrant tea can be one of life's little pleasures as you progress through your pregnancy.
Please relax and enjoy your pregnancy, knowing that one of our teas could be the remedy you are seeking.