As a tea lover, the pregnancy period can sometimes be frustrating. Most leaf teas made from the Camellia Sinensis tea plant contain caffeine, which isn't suitable for during pregnancy. Caffeine can cause low birth weights and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Some tea lovers therefore switch to flower teas, such as Chrysanthemum tea, as they are caffeine free. Yet, are they really suitable for during pregnancy and breastfeeding period? In this article, we'll discuss all the ins and outs of consuming Chrysanthemum and enjoy the health benefits as much as you can, while avoiding any side effects. You'll find out that this is a balancing act!
Chrysanthemum Tea Benefits
In Asia, tea made from infusing dried Chrysanthemum flowers is a very popular go to drink when feeling under the weather. This beverage can reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, control cholesterol. In addition, it contains lots of vitamin A and C.
Especially the inflammation fighting capacity of Chrysanthemum is why this flower tea is so loved. Inflammation is often times related of stress, headaches, acne and blood pressure. Thus, Chrysanthemum is often seen as the ultimate herbal tea to fight against inflammation. However, all benefits have their side effects, and this is exactly why a pregnant mom needs to be careful when consuming this flower tea. We will discuss this in detail in the next section.
Chrysanthemum tea during pregnancy may be too 'cooling'
However, this doesn't mean that you should drink chrysanthemum tea without limits when pregnant. Based on Chinese medicine theory, flower teas such as Chrysanthemum tea, is a 'cooling' drink. During pregnancy, however, your body temperature is usually higher to protect your baby.
Thus, if you feel that your hands or feet are cold, it's better not to drink Chrysanthemum and switch to a different flower or herbal tea. A better alternative in such case is to drink herbal teas that keep the body temperature warm, such as ginger tea.
There's also no scientific evidence that specifically recommend or disapprove the use of Chrysanthemum during pregnancy. Thus, it's important to limit Chrysanthemum consumption to at most 2 cup a day, and stop using when you feel cold or any other kind of discomfort. When you're not sure, make sure to ask a doctor for advice.
The best timing to drink Chrysanthemum tea is when you feel tense. Always, steep the flowers at cooking temperature and let it cool down to a pleasant temperature (e.g. 55ºC) before you take a sip.
Best Chrysanthemum Tea for Pregnancy
There are 3 types of chrysanthemum teas available, which are snow chrysanthemum, white chrysanthemum and chrysanthemum buds. The information provided in this guide are relevant for all three types. However, the best chrysanthemum tea for during pregnancies is Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum, because it's more soothing and warming.
Chrysanthemum tea while breastfeeding
Chrysanthemum tea can help detoxify, cleanse the liver and clear heat. It's no coincidence that it's considered one of the most popular herbs amongst herbalists in China. Yet, similar to the pregnancy period, once you not over consume. Here we also recommend to stick to 2 cups a day at most. You should stop drinking Chrysanthemum tea if you feel you lack energy and/or have cold hands/feet. Again, in such a case it's better to switch to a 'warming' beverage.
Do Chrysanthemum teas contain preservatives?
We received an interesting question from our customer Lynne, who asked about whether Chrysanthemum flower tea contains preservatives:
"Does Chrysanthemum tea contain preservatives? I ask this, because I am pregnant and I want to know how much I can drink especially if there are preservatives additives that can harm the baby?" Lynne
To answer the first part of the question regarding preservatives. We can simply say: NO. The teas we source are 100% natural flowers. Generally, pure chrysanthemum tea doesn't contain preservatives. Preservatives are sometimes added when it comes to blended teas, as some ingredients used to blend teas need the preservatives to extend the consumption period. Or if it's another type of processed product in which Chrysanthemum is used.
Our Chrysanthemum teas consists only 100% out of dried flowers. They don't require preservatives for preservation. You can considered dried flowers as cooking herbs in your kitchen. As long you don't expose them to humidity and air, they won't easily expire.
How to optimally store chrysanthemum flowers
Pure dried flower teas can be stored for a long period without preservatives, because they're intensively dried. Minimal water content in the flowers means they that they don't oxidize that easily. However, during pregnancies you want to 100% sure that you're brewing fresh flowers. To keep Chrysanthemum fresh and conserve the taste, you should store them in airtight jars. These vessels make sure they don't get in touch with humidity. Airtight jars usually have a lid with silicone rubber finish (see image below).
At last, keep the jars away from direct sunlight. You can for instance store them inside a cabinet.
Improve Eyesight by adding goji
If you suffer dry eyes or feel that your eyesight has been affected during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding period, you can steep some goji berries together with your Chrysanthemum tea. For our recipe, please visit: Goji berry chrysanthemum tea blend recipe.
We hope the information shared on this page was useful to you. For any questions, feel free to leave a comment!
Disclaimer:
- We are tea lovers and we share our tea knowledge based on our experience and general knowledge. We are not doctors, and therefore the above answer is not a medical advice. When in doubt, please visit a medical practitioner.
- The information is also to some extend relevant for chamomile tea as it's a closely related flower.
Sources:
- Chrysanthemum morifolium extract attenuates high-fat milk-induced fatty liver through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α–mediated mechanism in mice; Nutrition Research, 2014
- A review of chrysanthemum, the eastern queen in traditional chinese medicine with healing power in modern pharmaceutical sciences; Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 2019
- Chemical compositions of chrysanthemum teas and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; Food Chemistry, 2019