Is Honeybush And Rooibos Tea Safe During Pregnancy?
These teas are caffeine-free and offer several health benefits to pregnant women.
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It can be frustrating for tea lovers to find the perfect decaf tea that satisfies their taste buds during pregnancy. In such cases, you may consider honeybush and rooibos tea in pregnancy. This mixture of South African herbs in your tea is one of the safest options offering great health benefits. The herbal tea is packed with nutritional goodness that you can try to curb your tea cravings during pregnancy.
This post will tell you more about rooibos and honeybush tea, including its safety and health benefits during pregnancy.
What Is Rooibos And Honeybush Tea?
Rooibos and honeybush are indigenous herbs to South Africa. The herbs are crammed with essential nutrients that are vital to good health, particularly during pregnancy. You can prepare the herbal tea from the fine, needle-like leaves of the Rooibos plant and the honey-scented, bright yellow flowers of the honeybush plant. You will enjoy the sweet and earthy taste of the reddish-brown herbal tea while you are expecting (1).
Is It Safe To Drink Honeybush And Rooibos Tea In Pregnancy?
Yes! It is safe to enjoy drinking rooibos and honeybush tea while you are expecting. In fact, the mineral and antioxidant content of the tea makes it a brilliant option for pregnant women. Herbal tea is one of the safest and healthiest alternatives to regular tea (2).
7 Health Benefits Of Honeybush And Rooibos Tea During Pregnancy
Drinking rooibos and honeybush tea is not only a pleasant alternative to black tea, but it also ensures a safe and healthy pregnancy. Here, we list some incredible health benefits of Honeybush and rooibos tea in pregnancy.
1. A rich source of antioxidants
Rooibos and honeybush tea is full of antioxidants, such as Aspalathin and Nothofagin, which help neutralize free radicals and prevent cell damage during pregnancy. Also, high concentrations of antioxidants boost your immunity and protect you from the risk of development of cancer (3).
2. Caffeine-free healthy drink
The herbal tea is free of caffeine, so it serves as a safe alternative to black tea while you are expecting. The tea provides your nervous and central system soothing effects and alleviates health troubles, such as nervous tension, irritability, insomnia, mild depression, headaches, and hypertension when you are pregnant (4).
3. Prevents anemia
Low levels of tannin in rooibos and honeybush tea do not inhibit mineral absorption, such as iron. Also, tea is a good source of iron and vitamin C, which boost your hemoglobin count. Drinking rooibos and honeybush tea prevents symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue and dizziness, when you are expecting (5).
4. Prevents the formation of kidney stones
Rooibos and honeybush tea is free of oxalic acid. Drinking the tea prevents the formation of kidney stones and protects you from the health hazards of kidney problems during pregnancy.
5. Treats skin disorders
Phenylpyruvic acid content in the rooibos and honeybush tea aids in treating several skin disorders, such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis, when you are expecting. Drinking the healthy tea offers you a soothing effect on your affected skin and alleviates skin allergies.
6. Relieves digestive disorders
Drinking herbal tea relieves constipation, heartburn, nausea, and heartburn, naturally during pregnancy. Also, the antispasmodic effects of the tea minimize stomach cramps and offer a calming effect on your digestive system.
7. Promotes Bone Health:
High amounts of calcium and manganese content in the rooibos and honeybush tea helps strengthen your bones and prevent the risk of osteoporosis, acute joint pain, and arthritis during pregnancy (6).
It is safe to drink honeybush and rooibos tea in pregnancy as it includes minerals such as manganese, iron, calcium, and some antioxidants. It is one of the healthiest alternatives to regular caffeinated teas. These South African herbal teas have low levels of tannin that do not interfere with iron absorption in the intestines. They may improve digestive, bone, and skin health and prevent or reduce kidney stone formation. You may ensure to purchase from trusted sources to avoid contamination and read labels before buying.
References
- Traditional Knowledge Associated with Rooibos and honeybush Species in South Africa.
https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/reports/traditionalknowledge_rooibosandhoneybushspecies_report.pdf - In-Sun Hong et al.; (2014); Anti-Oxidative Effects of Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) on Immobilization-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Brain.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3897768/ - Diane L McKay and Jeffrey B Blumberg; (2007); A review of the bioactivity of South African herbal teas: rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16927447/ - M. Fawzi Mahomoodally; (2013); Traditional Medicines in Africa: An Appraisal of Ten Potent African Medicinal Plants.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3866779/ - B. D. Canda et al.; (2014); Effects of Consumption of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and a Rooibos-Derived Commercial Supplement on Hepatic Tissue Injury by tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide in Wistar Rats.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3967803/ - Effects of Vitamin D Fortification on Vitamin D Metabolite Profiles and Status in Vitamin D Insufficient Individuals (VITD-2013).
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02422784
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