Pregnancy Tea Recipe with Red Raspberry Leaf and Nettle

You may have heard that herbs like red raspberry leaf and nettle can be beneficial for pregnancy. But what do they actually do, and how often should you be drinking them? This pregnancy tea blend combines five herbs that are supportive for pregnancy and childbirth. Keep reading to get the pregnancy tea recipe and learn how it can benefit your pregnancy!

(The contents of this post do not constitute medical advice. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read our disclaimer.)

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Benefits of Drinking Pregnancy Tea

Tea has a long history of use during pregnancy. A general consensus among herbalists is that if herbal tonics are used regularly, they can support the general health of the body, alleviate bothersome symptoms, and prevent larger problems. (1)

A great way to use this pregnancy tea is as a replacement for other beverages you drank before getting pregnant. If you’re eliminating or limiting caffeine, you might drink a hot cup of pregnancy tea every morning. You might also replace a glass of wine or soda with an iced cup of pregnancy tea in the evening.

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I’m definitely a beverage girl and have missed enjoying some of the drinks that I’m accustomed (attached) to. I’m in the third trimester of my pregnancy and drink two to three cups of this pregnancy tea every day, and I’ve really found myself looking forward to it.

Since the weather is getting warmer, I most often enjoy this blend as an iced tea. On a chilly spring evening, it’s wonderful warmed up, too.

bundle of stinging nettle leaf, an ingredient in the pregnancy tea recipe, next to a cup of tea

Pregnancy Tea Recipe Ingredients

A note: Since some herbs and medications can interact adversely with each other, it’s recommended to speak to your healthcare and/or consult an herbalist before beginning to use herbs.

Red Raspberry Leaf

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Red raspberry leaf is a big player in women’s health and is often recommended for menstrual symptoms and fertility. (1)

Its antioxidant content and nutritional value make red raspberry leaf a go-to for pregnancy. Red raspberry leaf contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, and E, as well as selenium, niacin, and manganese. (2, 3)

Additionally, red raspberry leaf contains these nutrients that are important for pregnancy:

calcium
iron
magnesium
manganese
potassium

Red raspberry leaf may be able to ease morning sickness. However, its reputation as a helpful herb for pregnancy comes from the way it may support labor and childbirth.

Morning Sickness Smoothie | Pregnancy Nausea Remedy

Herbalists often describe red raspberry leaf’s ability to “tone” the uterus. This comes from the alkaloid fragrine, which is found in red raspberry leaf. Fragrine acts on the muscles in the pelvic region, including the uterine muscles.

There is also evidence that drinking red raspberry leaf tea increases blood flow to the uterus and helps the uterine muscles contract more efficiently. These effects could support a shorter labor with fewer complications. (2, 4)

Red raspberry leaf tea is also beneficial during the postpartum period. Its astringency can help postpartum bleeding and swelling. And it may also bring tone back to the uterus, which obviously stretches significantly during pregnancy.

Generally, it’s recommended to drink 1 to 3 cups per day during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Consult your healthcare provider or an experienced herbalist about using red raspberry leaf during pregnancy, and stop using it right away if you experience any adverse side effects.

Nettle

Nettle tea is made from the leaves and roots of stinging nettle. Like red raspberry leaf, nettle is filled with nutrients that support a healthy pregnancy, including: (5, 6)

vitamins A, C, E, and K
calcium
iron
magnesium
silica
chlorophyll

Nettle’s high volume of vitamin K makes it a top herbal choice for the later stages of pregnancy. Nettle is a hemostatic and astringent, meaning it can prevent excessive bleeding after birth.

Additionally, nettle is high in calcium, which can leg cramps and pain in the uterus during and after birth. And nettle is thought to increase breastmilk production as well as its quality.

Oatstraw

Oatstraw is another nutrient-dense plant that is helpful for pregnancy and building immunity. It is rich in: (5, 7)

vitamins A, C, E, and K
B vitamins
calcium
chromium
iron
magnesium
phosphorous
protein
silica

Oatstraw is extremely supportive to the nervous system and can be invaluable during times of overwhelm or emotional trauma. This herb is known for its ability to relieve anxiety and restlessness. If pregnancy has been emotionally challenging for you, oatstraw may be a helpful tool!

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a nervine, which just means that it is used to calm the nerves. This calming herb has a reputation for calming anxiety and irritability, as well as being helpful for insomnia – all common issues during pregnancy! (7, 8)

Lemon balm also has another purpose in this pregnancy tea recipe – its taste! Red raspberry leaf and nettle can both be acquired tastes. Lemon balm lends a zesty and lightly minty flavor to this tea blend.

Rosehips

Rosehips are an excellent source of vitamin C, and they help bolster the immune system. They also lend a sweet and tangy flavor to this pregnancy tea blend.

Where to Find Quality Herbs

You can usually find quality herbs at a local apothecary or botánica. There will likely be a trained herbalist there who can answer your questions and help you choose the best herbal blend.

If these establishments aren’t available near you, no problem! In this day and age, there are plenty of online retailers where you can find the quality herbs you need. I always make sure to sift through an herbal product’s reviews before buying it, just like I would for any other online purchase. That way, I can learn from others’ experience and make sure I’m getting the best product.