Ginger tea in pregnancy: Benefits, safety, and more

Ginger tea is made by steeping fresh or dried ginger roots in hot water.

It’s thought to help relieve nausea and vomiting and may be an effective remedy for pregnancy-related morning sickness.

However, you may wonder whether drinking ginger tea is safe for expecting mothers.

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This article examines ginger tea’s ability to relieve pregnancy-induced nausea, suggested amounts, possible side effects, and how to make it.

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Possible benefits of ginger tea in pregnancy

Up to 80% of women experience nausea and vomiting, also known as morning sickness, in their first trimester of pregnancy.

Fortunately, ginger root contains various plant compounds that may help with some of the discomforts of pregnancy.

Specifically, two types of compounds in ginger — gingerols, and shogaols — are thought to act on receptors in the digestive system and speed stomach emptying, which in turn may help reduce feelings of nausea.

Gingerols are present in large amounts in raw ginger, while shogaols are more abundant in dried ginger.

This means that ginger tea made from either fresh or dried ginger may contain compounds with anti-nausea effects and be suitable for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Moreover, ginger has been shown to help relieve pain from uterine cramping, which many pregnant women experience in the first trimester.

However, no studies have analyzed ginger’s effects on cramps in pregnant women specifically.

Summary: Two compounds in ginger help increase stomach emptying and reduce feelings of nausea, suggesting that ginger tea may help relieve morning sickness.

Effectiveness of ginger tea for morning sickness

Most studies analyzing ginger’s ability to relieve morning sickness have used ginger capsules.

However, their results still highlight the possible benefits of ginger tea, as one teaspoon (5 grams) of grated ginger root steeped in water can provide the same amount of ginger as a 1,000-mg supplement.

One study of 67 pregnant women found that those who consumed 1,000 mg of ginger in capsule form daily for four days experienced significantly fewer nausea and vomiting episodes than those who received a placebo.

Additionally, an analysis of six studies found that women who took ginger in early pregnancy were five times more likely to experience improved nausea and vomiting than those who took a placebo.

These collective results suggest ginger tea may help women with morning sickness, especially during the first trimester.

Summary: While no studies have analyzed the effectiveness of ginger tea in pregnancy, research on ginger supplements suggests it helps reduce episodes of nausea and vomiting.

Recommended amounts and possible side effects

Ginger tea is generally considered safe for pregnant women, at least in reasonable amounts.

While there is no standardized dose for nausea relief in pregnancy, research suggests that up to 1 gram (1,000 mg) of ginger daily is safe.

This equates to 4 cups (950 ml) of packaged ginger tea or homemade ginger tea made from 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of grated ginger root steeped in water.

Studies have found no associations between taking ginger during pregnancy and an increased risk of preterm birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, or other complications.

However, some evidence suggests that ginger tea should not be consumed close to labor, as ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Pregnant women with a history of miscarriages, vaginal bleeding, or blood clotting issues should also avoid ginger products.

Finally, frequently drinking large amounts of ginger tea may lead to unpleasant side effects in some individuals. These include heartburn, gas, and belching.

If you experience these symptoms while drinking ginger tea, you may want to reduce your drink amount.

Summary: Up to 1 gram of ginger per day, or 4 cups (950 ml) of ginger tea, appears safe for pregnant women. However, women close to labor and those with a history of bleeding or miscarriages should avoid ginger tea.

How to make ginger tea

You can use dried or fresh ginger to make ginger tea at home.

After steeping one teaspoon (5 grams) of sliced or grated raw ginger root in hot water, take a sip of the tea to determine whether the strength of the ginger flavor suits your preference. Simply add water to dilute the tea if you find it too strong.

Alternatively, pour hot water over a dried ginger teabag and let it sit for a few minutes before drinking.

Be sure to sip ginger tea slowly, so you don’t consume it too quickly and feel more nauseous.

Summary: You can make ginger tea by steeping freshly grated or dried ginger in hot water.

Summary

Ginger has been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting.

As such, drinking ginger tea may help relieve morning sickness during pregnancy. Drinking up to 4 cups (950 ml) of ginger tea daily while pregnant is generally considered safe.

However, ginger tea should not be consumed close to labor, as it may increase the risk of bleeding. It may likewise be unsafe for women with a history of bleeding or miscarriages.

If you want to try ginger tea to alleviate your nausea during pregnancy but don’t have fresh ginger on hand, you can find dried ginger tea in most stores and online.