Is Melissa Tea Safe During Pregnancy?

People love Melissa tea, often called lemon balm tea, since it helps them relax. But if you're pregnant, you might be asking if it's okay to drink this herbal tea while you're pregnant. Let's look at what science and tradition have to say.
Disclaimer: This content is intended solely for informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Table of Contents
- What Is Melissa Tea?
- Traditional Uses During Pregnancy
- Potential Benefits for Expectant Mothers
- Safety Concerns and Possible Risks
- Expert Guidance and Final Thoughts
- References and Resources
What Is Melissa Tea?
Melissa tea is produced from the leaves of Melissa officinalis, which is often known as lemon balm. It is a member of the mint family. It has been used for hundreds of years to help people relax, get some sleep, and reduce stomach pain. It has a lemony smell and a pleasant, light flavour.
Rosmarinic acid, flavonoids, and volatile oils are some of the plant compounds in this herbal infusion that help it relax and stop spasms. People commonly utilize it as a natural way to deal with stress, trouble sleeping, and moderate stomach problems.
Traditional Uses During Pregnancy
For a long time, herbalists have utilized lemon balm as a mild plant that is safe to take during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters. It has long been prescribed to aid calm tensions, ease restlessness, and settle an upset stomach.
Health food stores often use Melissa in "pregnancy-safe" tea blends due to its mildness. That being said, tradition doesn't necessarily mean safety, especially when hormones are involved.
Potential Benefits for Expectant Mothers
When used correctly and in moderation, Melissa tea may have some calming effects for pregnant women:
- Helps with stress and anxiety: The natural sedative effect may help calm a busy mind, especially while hormones are changing.
- Helps you sleep: Melissa has a mild sleep-promoting effect that can be helpful in late pregnancy when getting enough sleep is problematic.
- Digestive Concerns: Some women feel better when they take Melissa because it calms their stomach. This helps with gas, bloating, and moderate nausea.
- It may help stabilize emotions: during the ups and downs of pregnancy by mildly boosting GABA activity in the brain.
These benefits sound wonderful, but "gentle" doesn't mean "safe."
Safety Concerns and Possible Risks
Melissa tea is generally regarded as one of the safer herbs for pregnant women; however, some important factors should be considered:
- Few studies: on lemon balm have been done on pregnant women. Most of them are tiny. So, even though there haven't been any red flags, the safety data is minimal.
- Possible hormone effects: Some sources say that lemon balm might alter how the thyroid works. This is especially important for women with thyroid problems like Hashimoto's disease or hypothyroidism.
- Risk of uterine stimulation (in high doses): Melissa is not known to stimulate the uterus, but taking a lot of any herb during pregnancy can be dangerous.
- Interactions with other medications: If you take thyroid medications or sedatives, talk to your doctor before using lemon balm on a regular basis.
Most herbalists agree that drinking one cup of Melissa tea a day is probably safe during pregnancy. But as usual, talk to your midwife or OB-GYN to be sure it's good for you.
Expert Guidance and Final Thoughts
During pregnancy, Melissa tea can be a comforting friend, especially when you need to relax or have a better night's sleep. Melissa tea is a popular herbal alternative because it is mild and has been used in traditional medicine for a long time, but it should only be used with care.
Every pregnancy is different, and herbal teas, even mild ones like lemon balm, can have varied effects on women depending on their health, the stage of their pregnancy, and the drugs they are taking. If you want to include Melissa tea to your daily routine, the best thing to do is talk to a doctor you trust.
Key Takeaway:
Melissa tea may offer mild assistance during pregnancy, especially for stress and sleep; however, it is essential to obtain consent from your healthcare professional prior to integrating it into your daily regimen.
References and Resources
-
LEMON BALM: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews. (n.d.). https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-437/lemon-balm
-
Mathews, I. M., Eastwood, J., Lamport, D. J., Cozannet, R. L., Fanca-Berthon, P., & Williams, C. M. (2024). Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) in Psychological Well-Being: A Review. Nutrients, 16(20), 3545. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203545
-
editor. (2022, June 9). Herbs and pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/herbs-and-pregnancy/
-
Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis | Washington College. (n.d.). https://www.washcoll.edu/learn-by-doing/lifelong-learning/plants/lamiaceae/melissa-officinalis.php
-
editor. (2023, September 20). Herbal tea & pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/herbal-tea/