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Rooibos - Is it safe to drink rooibos during pregnancy? - May 26, 2009

Is it safe to drink rooibos during pregnancy? The short answer is yes. First, as we have stated in previous posts, rooibos is technically not a tea, and not derived from the tea plant, camellia sinensis. Rooibos is in fact a legume from the aspalathus family. Thus, rooibos is naturally caffeine free and very low in tannins, delivering many health related benefits to those who consume it.

The naturally sweet and aromatic flavor makes rooibos a natural substitute for coffee or tea especially in the time of pregnancy when caffeine intake should be limited or avoided completely. The tannins present in large amounts in teas can cause a lower iron absorption in the blood stream. As anemia is quite frequent in pregnancy or breastfeeding, the low tannins in rooibos can be quite beneficial in this case. Some studies have shown that adding vitamin C to Rooibos can greatly increase the body's capacity to absorb iron and antioxidants.

Rooibos has been known to ease many symptoms that come with pregnancy. Rooibos can be beneficial in states of constipation, nausea or stomach cramps. Further, it can improve liver function and help in states of anxiety and depression.

As long as you are drinking plain rooibos or flavored rooibos without the addition of other types of herbs, you should not be concerned about your pregnancy. While rooibos itself is fine, just keep in mind that there are certain herbs which have been known to cause early uterine contractions, so always consult your doctor first.