Medicinal herbs are chosen as an alternative for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Despite its popularity, chamomile can be dangerous during early pregnancy.
Benefit
The plant is recommended for adults and children because of its pleasant taste and smell. When carrying a baby, the use of chamomile should be limited. A small amount is allowed during the second – third trimester.
Is it possible to take chamomile in early pregnancy? Yes, secretory activity increases, the amount of bile increases, and fermentation in the intestines decreases. The oil contained in the composition stimulates the heart, improves respiratory amplitude, and the condition of the blood vessels of the brain.
The positive effects of chamomile during pregnancy are due to the combination of beneficial components:
- essential oil;
- vitamins;
- flavonoids;
- polysaccharides.
Each of them complements each other, so the result is an anti-inflammatory, bactericidal agent with a calming and analgesic effect. Flowers restore intestinal function and relieve swelling, which is important during the process of bearing a child.
Chamomile during pregnancy is used for treating wounds, rinsing the mouth, washing the genitals, and douching.
External use of chamomile in the first trimester of pregnancy will be an excellent alternative to medications. The plant disinfects bacterial growth sites and helps rapid healing of wounds on mucous membranes and skin.
Chamomile is especially useful for coughs in the early stages of pregnancy, if this time falls in the winter. At the first signs of illness, gargle with the decoction and drink tea. The use of therapy should occur only after the recommendations of a doctor. For colds, inhalations are made using a decoction.
It is better to collect chamomile yourself, dry it and store it in a bag. You can buy dried flowers at the pharmacy, ready-made filter bags. The plant is often used in the form of a decoction to normalize the nervous system and restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Harm
Tone and toxicosis. For prevention, herbal drinks are consumed only under the guidance of a doctor. A weak infusion of chamomile tea for pregnant women is prepared in an amount of no more than two glasses per day.
The expectant mother is recommended to drink it occasionally so as not to increase the tone of the uterus. The prepared formulations help the production of estrogens, which cause miscarriage. Often, excessive consumption of the drink leads to aggravation of toxicosis.
Premature birth. You cannot douche with chamomile decoction, as the PH level of the vagina is disturbed. This leads to early opening of the cervix and premature birth. You need to follow the advice in order to avoid excessive agitation, dizziness, tachycardia, and miscarriage.
Allergy. Rashes and redness are rare, but doubts arise when consuming the herb. This is tested by applying the composition to the elbow to observe the skin reaction.
Decoctions and teas from the flowers of the plant help in many situations, however, chamomile causes an allergic reaction, skin rashes and itching. Take with caution in case of increased acidity and diarrhea.
Recipes
Teas. It is convenient to buy the product immediately in bags, rather than in bulk. During pregnancy, chamomile tea is brewed independently. If there are no contraindications, it is mixed with other herbs, honey and lemon are added. It is best to brew the drink in a thermos. To do this, pour boiling water over two teaspoons of flowers and leave for three hours. Drink warm.
Infusion. You can replace the herbal plant with a ready-made chamomile preparation. This is a liquid containing essential oil. The infusion is diluted with water and then used for its intended purpose. However, not everyone can use this type, as sometimes it causes allergies.
Decoction. Chamomile is sold in pharmacies. A decoction for washing is prepared from a tablespoon of flowers and 1⁄2 liters of boiling water. After infusion for an hour, the infusion is filtered. Use warm. The procedure is carried out twice a day. There is no need to rinse the broth with clean water. The flowers are infused for half an hour. It is better to prepare a new infusion before each use. This method is suitable for use throughout pregnancy. The decoction has a deodorizing effect.
Drink chamomile decoction during early pregnancy due to its positive effect on the body, since the drink:
- calms;
- relieves stress;
- fights apathy;
- relieves stomach spasms;
- helps with headaches;
- necessary for bloating, constipation;
- relieves toxicosis and nausea;
- heals wounds;
- relieves joint inflammation.
This is an excellent way to replace drugs with bactericidal and antiseptic characteristics with a natural product. During pregnancy, immunity decreases, so the diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis is often confirmed. According to mothers, chamomile helps get rid of thrush.
To prepare the decoction you will need 20 g of dried flowers, add 0.5 liters of water and put on fire. After five minutes, turn it off and leave to cool. After straining it can be used. You can store the broth for two days in the refrigerator.
Drink. The 1st trimester is the time when tea is prepared from chamomile and other herbs. These include dill and caraway seeds, mint and valerian roots. The drink will help you calm down and get rid of intestinal problems. A tablespoon of the mixture is poured into a glass of boiling water and left in a water bath for 20 minutes. Take 1⁄2 cup in the morning and evening.
Usage
Inhalations. It is recommended to use inhalations for coughs and sore throats. A few flowers are thrown into boiling water, the container is removed from the heat, covered with a towel and breathed over the vapors. Inhalations will calm coughs, remove phlegm, ease breathing, and relieve inflammation. Use one tablespoon of raw material and two glasses of water. It is recommended to add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water.
Baths. Flowers are brewed for genitourinary infections and inflammation. They are used as sitz baths for hemorrhoids. The main thing is that the water is warm. The plant will help with gastritis, which often worsens at this time, with pancreatitis, stomach ulcers and enterocolitis. Chamomile will help improve your general condition and make it easier to tolerate the symptoms of toxicosis.
Rinsing. Chamomile and sage will help get rid of toothache. The herbs are mixed in a 2:1 ratio and a glass of water is added. Use the infusion by holding it in the mouth for a while or by rinsing.
The plant copes well with stomatitis. To rinse the mouth, pour a tablespoon of chamomile flowers into a glass of boiling water. After steeping for an hour, strain and add boiled water to a volume of 0.5 liters.
Washing. It is washing that is recommended to be used instead of medications that cause harm. External use is not contraindicated, and the benefits have been proven. The use of chamomile helps fight inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, as the flowers are a natural antiseptic.
The wide spectrum of action of chamomile allows it to be used during pregnancy. You can get benefits if used correctly. Flowers become dangerous only if there is individual intolerance.
During the period of carrying a baby under her heart, every woman who cares about the health of her belly begins to give preference to everything natural. The diet sharply reduces the consumption of semi-finished and store-bought foods, sausages, smoked meats, sweets and cakes. Even instead of her favorite sweet soda, black tea or coffee, the expectant mother begins to drink pure water and herbal teas. However, it suddenly turns out that the universal and beloved chamomile is not really allowed during pregnancy, and you still need to know how to brew and drink this flower without harm to the fetus.
Briefly about chamomile
Chamomile is a perennial flowering plant of the Asteraceae family, comprising only about 20 species of low-growing aromatic herbs that bloom in the first year of life. Other flowers with a yellow center and white petals are also mistakenly called daisies, but they can be distinguished by their smell: false daisies have almost no smell. Among real daisies, the most popular is Chamomile.This plant is successfully used in medicine and cosmetology. Chamomile is called the queen of herbal medicine for a reason: it is used for both babies and the elderly. The spectrum of action of chamomile extract is wide - from sedative and relaxing to anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.
What are the benefits of drinking chamomile during pregnancy?
On pharmacy packages of chamomile flowers, pregnancy is listed among other contraindications. Lovers of chamomile tea can breathe a sigh of relief: the correct concentration, volume and mode of use will not cause any harm to either the woman or her fetus. On the contrary, chamomile during pregnancy will perfectly help the expectant mother cope with many emerging or aggravated diseases without the use of medications.So, chamomile during pregnancy has the following beneficial properties:
- a decoction of chamomile flowers is an additional source of magnesium and calcium;
- chamomile tea will help eliminate symptoms in both early and late stages (but you are allowed to take no more than two glasses of a weakly brewed drink per day);
- an infusion of flowers relieves stress, normalizes the nervous system, calms, helps overcome apathy and symptoms of depression;
- warm, weak chamomile tea with the addition of honey will give you a sound, restful sleep, which is especially important in the third trimester;
- chamomile decoction during pregnancy will replace painkillers for pain in the intestines and stomach, headaches;
- a strong chamomile decoction is effective as a gargle for stomatitis, inflammation of the gums, pharyngitis, sore throat, and other diseases of the throat and oral cavity;
- chamomile compresses will speed up the healing of cuts, scratches, cracks, and relieve pain in the joints and lower back;
- washing with chamomile infusion will help with vulvovaginitis, external birth injuries and other female “troubles”;
- chamomile baths during pregnancy in the last trimester will help relieve tired legs;
- in the last months, when many pregnant women complain of digestive problems, chamomile will eliminate the discomfort caused by increased gas formation and bloating,
Chamomile during early pregnancy
Before the beginning of the 4th month of pregnancy, chamomile can be taken orally only if absolutely necessary and only
after the doctor's permission. The maximum volume of weak tea or decoction per day is 300-400 ml (two small cups). The reason for such a strict restriction is that chamomile during early pregnancy can cause an increase in and, as it stimulates additional production of estrogen by the ovaries. In this regard, it is impossible to abuse chamomile decoction during pregnancy and at a later stage.
Any external use of chamomile is not prohibited. Rinsing and inhalation are also allowed.
Harm of chamomile tea during pregnancy
It is worth noting again that during the entire nine months of the “interesting situation” it is forbidden to drink too rich infusions, be it chamomile or any other. “For prevention,” such teas are also not allowed to be consumed - only under the strict supervision of the attending physician.Ignoring the prohibition can result in the opposite effect: excitement instead of calm, dizziness, tachycardia, and even termination of pregnancy.
It is advisable that the volume of consumption of herbal teas, including chamomile, during pregnancy should not exceed 400 ml per day, and the duration should not exceed a week. You should never use chamomile decoction (or any other) for douching. It is unlikely that a pregnant woman is interested in disrupting the PH environment of the vagina, premature opening of the cervix, etc.
An allergy to chamomile during pregnancy occurs very rarely, almost never. But if you have doubts about its use/consumption, you need to periodically apply a decoction of this herb to the elbow bend during the day and observe the skin reaction.
How to brew and drink chamomile during pregnancy?
To prevent chamomile infusion from causing harm to the mother and her baby, you need to know how to prepare it correctly. The ideal concentration is obtained by pouring two teaspoons (without a slide) of dried chamomile into a medicine glass.
boiling water, cover with a towel (or prepare everything in a thermos), leave for 20 minutes. strain and take as prescribed by the doctor.
You can prepare chamomile infusion by boiling it. In this case, add 300 g of water to a teaspoon of herbs, boil for a minute and immediately filter. The liquid is cooled to 35-40 °C, honey is added, and taken after hypothermia and at the first manifestations of a cold.
An infusion is also made with fresh chamomile. Flowers should be collected far from roads and fields treated with chemicals from the air, in an ecologically clean area.
Other uses of chamomile
Chamomile is widely used in cosmetology. 1. If skin pigmentation occurs (freckles, spots), wash with chamomile infusion twice a day without soap or other cleansers.
2. Severe pigmentation is combated with the help of chamomile compresses. Dry raw materials are poured with boiling water so that it is completely absorbed. The slightly cooled herb (to a comfortable temperature) is sprinkled with lemon juice, applied to the skin as a mask, left for 15-20 minutes and washed off.
3. For excellent toning of the skin, wipe it with ice cubes from chamomile infusion.
4. Chamomile tea will replace cleanser for oily skin.
5. Before a hygienic manicure, soak the hands for 15 minutes in a warm bath of medium-strength chamomile tea.
6. Chamomile infusion will give beauty to your hair: pour the flowers with just boiled water in a ratio of 1:3, keep in a thermos for 2-3 hours. The broth is generously moistened on the curls, wrapped in polyethylene and a towel, left for an hour, then washed off with running water. After the hair has dried, admire the result.
Expectant mothers should use herbs in their diet very carefully. Even modest chamomile can cause trouble during pregnancy if consumed arbitrarily and uncontrollably. Remember, nature's gifts love to be treated with respect. Be healthy!
Carotene, glycosides, phytoncides, pectins, tannins, organic acids, flavonoids, essential oils.
Chamomile is used in various ways:
- rinsing and inhalation - for respiratory diseases, sore throat, acute respiratory infections, ARVI;
- mouth rinse - for stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis;
- nasal rinsing, drops - for runny nose and nasal congestion;
- tea - for colds, coughs, as a sedative before bed;
- decoctions, infusions - for gastritis with low acidity, enteritis, colitis, flatulence, to increase appetite and improve digestion;
- douching, washing, baths - for diseases of the genitourinary system;
- external use - for damage to the skin and mucous membranes.
Can pregnant women drink chamomile tea?
During pregnancy, many medications are contraindicated, as there is a high probability of harming the baby. The use of chamomile for medicinal purposes is permitted only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Pregnant women can take weakly brewed chamomile tea if there are no contraindications. Washing with infusion, rinsing, inhalation and external use is allowed.
- take only after consulting a doctor;
- weakly brewed tea is allowed to drink no more than a cup per day;
- if the doctor prescribed a chamomile decoction, take 2-3 tablespoons warm 3 times a day before meals;
- the course of treatment is no longer than a week;
- It is forbidden to independently increase the dosage and duration of use.
Benefits of chamomile for pregnant women
Useful properties of the plant for pregnant women:
- kills pathogenic microflora that causes thrush;
- relieves nervous excitement, headaches;
- improves sleep, helps with insomnia;
- eliminates bloating, helps with constipation;
- analgesic, wound healing, bactericidal effects;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- helps the cardiovascular system;
- relieves spasms;
- helps with toxicosis;
- lowers body temperature;
- relieves swelling;
- eliminates nausea.
What kind of chamomile can you drink?
There are about 25 types of chamomile. For internal and external use, pharmaceutical chamomile is used. The fragrant variety is used for cosmetic purposes.
Some garden varieties of plants are very similar to medicinal species, but do not have medicinal properties. They cannot be used for treatment. To avoid making a mistake in your choice, it is better to purchase a ready-made mixture at a pharmacy to prepare tea.
Chamomile Tea Recipes
In order for chamomile tea to bring maximum benefits during pregnancy, you need to prepare the drink correctly. In addition to the usual collection, you can buy chamomile in bags at the pharmacy, which is convenient to brew in a cup.
Pour boiling water over the teapot. Place 2 tablespoons of dried plant flowers in it. Pour 250 g of boiling water over it. Cover with a lid and let sit for 10 minutes. Strain and consume a cup once a day. To reduce the concentration, the drink must be diluted with water. You can drink tea with honey, mint or lemon.
A recipe for a healing decoction of chamomile helps with colds, relieves headaches, nausea, and calms. Pour dry flowers (20 g) with cold water, put on fire and bring to a boil. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Cover with a lid and leave for 15 minutes. Strain. The decoction is drunk before meals, 2-3 tablespoons three times a day.
Contraindications, restrictions and possible harm
During pregnancy, you should drink chamomile tea in small quantities and only as directed by your doctor. Otherwise, tea drinking can lead to serious problems.
Eating chamomile in large quantities increases the level of the hormone estrogen, which causes increased activity of the uterus. In the early stages of pregnancy (up to the 4th month), if there is a threat of miscarriage, or if there is increased uterine tone, you should not drink chamomile tea.
Microenemas and douching are prohibited due to the risk of disturbing the acidity of the vaginal environment, premature dilatation of the uterus and premature birth.
With improper and long-term use of chamomile, allergic reactions, redness, itching, burning, cough, dizziness, irritability and sleep problems are possible.
Chamomile should not be taken for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by low acidity.
During pregnancy, it is forbidden to take alcoholic infusions and essential oils from chamomile.
Expert opinion
Certified nutritionist. 5 years of experience.
Nutritionist advice. Herbal teas do not contain caffeine and are therefore considered safe. The question of whether such teas can be consumed during pregnancy worries many, since there is no accurate data on most herbs and their effects on the developing fetus. There are mixed opinions about the safety of herbal teas for both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Chamomile is on the list of safe ingredients and is considered a very beneficial herb. The assumption that there is some danger in its use is explained by the fact that chamomile is included in the general recommendation group of herbal medicines that it is advisable to avoid during pregnancy. The opinion of most practitioners is that chamomile tea can be enjoyed in moderation during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Other uses of chamomile
Douching. Chamomile helps cope with candidiasis. During pregnancy, douching with chamomile infusions is used in extreme cases and only according to the indications of a gynecologist. Self-medication can lead to a worsening of the situation, causing dryness, itching and tone of the uterus.
Washing and baths. Such procedures are safe for pregnant women and help with cystitis or thrush. However, it is prohibited to wash yourself with chamomile infusions every day.
Inhalations. Steam inhalations with chamomile help with cough, runny nose, pain and dry throat. A safer method during pregnancy is to use a nebulizer. It is allowed to add sage, eucalyptus, coniferous buds, linden, St. John's wort, plantain and marshmallow. Inhalations can only be recommended by the attending physician.
Rinse the mouth and throat. To treat the mouth and throat for inflammation of the gums and stomatitis, use aqueous decoctions of chamomile.
Nasal rinsing. Pregnant women with a runny nose are allowed to rinse their nasal passages with a weak chamomile decoction. No more than 5 times a day under the strict supervision of an otolaryngologist. Concentrated chamomile decoction can cause burning and dryness of the nasal mucosa.
Skin treatment. For various inflammations and injuries, the skin is wiped with a decoction or infusion of chamomile. For oily skin and rashes, you can use a concentrated decoction. The product is poured into ice cube trays, frozen and then rubbed on the face with cubes twice a day.
Hair Care Product. For weak hair and hair loss after washing your hair, rinse your hair with a warm chamomile decoction. The plant returns strength and shine to hair.
Chamomile is one of the safest plants and is used even in the treatment of small children. Is it possible to drink decoctions and teas during pregnancy? There is no definite answer. A woman is responsible not only for herself, but also for the health of her child, so she must be careful and consult a doctor.
You can learn about the beneficial properties of chamomile in the video below.
Medicinal herbs are an effective and safe alternative to medications when used correctly. These include chamomile, which is also allowed for pregnant women. It has a pleasant taste and healing effects on the body, and has virtually no contraindications. How to brew chamomile tea correctly, and in what cases should expectant mothers drink it?
Medicinal properties of chamomile
Let's look at the benefits of chamomile specifically for pregnant women:
- Kills pathogenic microflora, including fungi of the genus Candida. It is especially useful in case of aggravated thrush.
- Relieves nervous excitement and promotes restful sleep. Therefore, chamomile tea should be replaced with regular black or green tea drunk before bed.
- Helps with excessive bloating and constipation, promoting gentle cleansing of the intestines, the outflow of bile and the elimination of intestinal spasms.
- It has a wound-healing, analgesic, and bactericidal effect, therefore it is recommended for treating damaged epithelium, rinsing the mouth and washing the nasopharynx.
- The essential oils contained in the plant normalize blood pressure and the functioning of the entire cardiovascular system,
Due to the presence of glycosides in chamomile, it has an antispasmodic effect on the body. - Facilitates the course of toxicosis in the early stages.
Important point: During pregnancy, any chamomile-based infusion can only be consumed as tea. Douching or microenemas based on it are prohibited. It is possible to wash with chamomile, but such nuances are agreed with the doctor in each specific case.
Chamomile tea: recipes
Ideally, you need to prepare chamomile yourself by drying it properly. But if this is not possible, then it can be found in any pharmacy. If there is no need for a large amount of tea, then it is better to buy bagged chamomile and brew it in teapots.
To get the maximum benefit from a plant, it is very important to follow a certain sequence of actions. The first thing to do is pour boiling water over the teapot. This will make the tea taste richer. For a teapot volume of 0.5 liters, 2 tablespoons of chamomile are enough. But do not use boiling water, but rather cooled water. The optimal temperature for brewing is 95°C. Close the kettle with a lid and leave to brew for 5-7 minutes. As a result, we have a healthy and tasty drink, superior in its healing properties to regular tea. If you need to reduce the concentration, then take 1 teaspoon for the same volume of water.
This tea is indispensable in case of the first symptoms of a cold, for restful sleep and relief of toxicosis. Cooled, it perfectly quenches thirst and optimizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. You can enrich it with honey and a slice of lemon. But it is better to put honey in warm tea or eat it as a snack, but not stir it in hot water.
When is the best time to limit your consumption of chamomile tea?
Despite the beneficial effects, pregnant women should not indulge in chamomile tea. One cup a day is enough as both a preventive and therapeutic measure. The restrictions are due to the fact that chamomile stimulates the production of estrogen. Normally, during pregnancy, their activity is generally low, since excessive amounts of these steroid hormones lead to termination of pregnancy. The body itself controls this process, but with a large number of external stimulants, a failure may occur. Another reason why you should not drink chamomile in large quantities is a possible allergic reaction, which needs to be monitored, starting with small doses.
Also, you should not brew tea for future use - it will quickly deteriorate and lose its properties. It is better to drink freshly brewed tea, as it contains more healing phytoncides.
How else can a pregnant woman use chamomile?
In addition to its traditional uses, chamomile tea can also be used as a natural cleanser. Many expectant mothers note a deterioration in the condition of their facial skin, especially in the first trimester. It is manifested by the appearance of a characteristic oily sheen and rashes of various locations. Using dried chamomile, you can prepare a concentrated decoction that will help reduce sebum production and act as a mild antiseptic. To do this, pour 1 tbsp. dried herb 200 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for 30 minutes. Cool the resulting infusion, pour it into a sealed container, or freeze it by pouring it into ice cube trays. Wipe your face morning and evening.
Chamomile is also widely used in the fight against cough and nasal congestion. To do this, you need to use it in the above proportion (1:200), but brew it in an open container. Inhaling chamomile vapor helps clear the sinuses and speeds up the release of mucus. This is a good alternative to syrups and tablets that are prohibited for pregnant women due to many side effects.
Chamomile is also safe in case of stomatitis. To eliminate inflammation of the mucous membrane, use a standard infusion. They rinse the mouth with it 2-4 times a day.
If irritation in the throat characteristic of acute respiratory infections occurs, gargle with warm chamomile infusion every 20 minutes. Chamomile perfectly disinfects areas where bacteria are localized and accelerates the process of epithelial restoration.
Many pregnant women note a significant deterioration in the condition of their hair. Due to the fact that the body is under stress and most of the vitamins and microelements are lost to the fetus, they begin to actively fall out and lose their usual shine. To return your hair to its previous condition, you can rinse it with a standard chamomile decoction.
Chamomile tea is a simple way to improve your general condition during pregnancy toxicosis. It will also be an excellent replacement for medicinal antibacterial agents in case of acute respiratory infections. But before drinking chamomile tea, like any other herbal tea, it is better for a woman to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Video: healing properties of chamomile tea
