Is Nettle Tea Safe During Pregnancy?

No, nettle tea is best avoided during pregnancy unless your prenatal clinician advises otherwise, because nettle may affect fluid balance and its safety in pregnancy is not established.

Should you drink nettle tea during pregnancy?

The cautious choice is to avoid nettle tea while pregnant unless the clinician caring for your pregnancy has reviewed the product and recommends it. This applies throughout pregnancy, including when you first find out you are pregnant.

We found no pregnancy studies of nettle tea. It therefore cannot establish whether the tea is safe for a pregnant person or a developing baby, or identify an amount that is safe to drink.

Lack of evidence of safety is not proof that a cup will cause harm. If you have already had nettle tea, stop drinking it for now and tell your prenatal clinician what you consumed; there is no need to assume that harm has occurred.

Why is nettle tea a concern during pregnancy?

Nettle contains biologically active compounds, and it may have a diuretic effect, meaning it could increase urine production. It is not clear whether that effect occurs at the amount present in a particular cup of nettle tea or what it would mean during pregnancy.

Other possible effects, including effects on the uterus or developing baby, are also uncertain. The evidence reviewed here does not establish that nettle tea causes contractions, miscarriage or another pregnancy complication. It also does not establish that the tea is free of those risks.

Products can differ in the part of nettle used, the amount included and the way the tea is prepared. A tea bag, a loose-leaf preparation and a blended herbal product may not contain comparable amounts. Descriptions such as “natural” or “organic” do not show that a product has been tested for safety in pregnancy.

Nettle tea is sometimes promoted as a source of nutrients, but those claims do not establish how much reaches a cup or whether the tea is safe in pregnancy. Do not use it in place of a prenatal supplement or prescribed treatment.

How much nettle tea is safe during pregnancy?

There is no established safe amount of nettle tea for pregnancy in the evidence provided. The safest practical approach is not to drink it unless your prenatal clinician recommends a specific product and amount for you.

A small serving, a weak brew or occasional use cannot be assumed safe simply because it contains less nettle. Similarly, avoiding nettle tea only during a particular stage of pregnancy is not an evidence-based way to establish safety for the rest of pregnancy.

If nettle appears in a mixed herbal tea, ask your clinician about the entire ingredient list. The label may not state how much of each herb is present, and advice about one ingredient does not automatically establish that the full blend is appropriate for pregnancy.

For hydration, plain water is a straightforward choice unless your clinician has given you different fluid instructions. If you are considering nettle tea for a particular concern, explain that concern to your prenatal clinician rather than relying on the tea to manage it.

When should you talk to your doctor about nettle tea?

Contact your obstetrician, midwife or other prenatal clinician if you have been drinking nettle tea, are considering it, or are unsure whether a blend you used contains nettle. Bring the package or a photo of its ingredient list, and tell them approximately how much you drank, how often and when.

Ask before using nettle tea especially if you have kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, or if you have been told to limit fluids. Also mention any medicines or supplements you take, particularly medicines for blood pressure, diabetes or fluid retention, and blood thinners; your clinician or pharmacist can assess possible interactions for your situation. Do not stop prescribed medicine on your own.

If you have vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain or cramping, fluid leaking, or your baby is moving less than usual once you have begun to notice a regular movement pattern, contact your maternity care team promptly. Do not assume these symptoms are caused by nettle tea or wait to see whether they pass.

Seek emergency help for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fainting or trouble breathing. These symptoms need urgent assessment whether or not you have consumed nettle tea.