Can you use mint during pregnancy and how to do it correctly?

Many questions arise during pregnancy, particularly regarding what is safe to use, consume, or eat. Mint is a well-liked herb that has calming properties and a refreshing taste, but is it safe to consume while pregnant? Many soon-to-be mothers want to know if using mint oil or drinking tea with mint leaves them worry-free.

Although mint has certain advantages, such as aiding in digestion and nausea, it’s crucial to know how to use it safely while pregnant. Mint is still a safe and beneficial option for you and your child, but there are some rules and things to remember.

We’ll discuss the various types of mint and how they may impact your pregnancy in this post, arming you with the knowledge you need to make the best decisions for your health and welfare.

What are the benefits for pregnant women?

Usually mint leaves and their benefits for humans do not raise questions among doctors, the healing properties of the plant have long been known, they are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry and in folk medicine. But when it comes to expectant mothers, many doctors are against the use of aromatic mint. It should be noted that among obstetricians and gynecologists there is no consensus on whether mint is acceptable or not during pregnancy, whether it can be consumed or is it better to abstain. There are two positions, according to which some doctors strongly advise their patients to drink tea with mint, while others are against it. Mint is a medicinal plant included in the official register of medicinal plants. And for this reason alone, there is reason to believe that mint certainly affects a woman and her baby. Therefore, like any other medicinal substance,, it should be taken under the supervision of specialists. From a practical point of view, then the amount of active substances present in 2-3 mint leaves, which are used to brew tea, cannot harm either the expectant mother or her baby.

The external use of products containing mint raises no concerns at all; if a woman is not allergic to mint oil, she can use it at her own discretion to fight nausea during the early stages of toxicosis, for example.

The essence of medical disputes around mint comes down to the presence of a fairly impressive amount of phytoestrogens in the plant. These substances are plant analogues of sex hormones. During pregnancy, progesterone rules the roost in a woman"s body, and an increase in the amount of estrogen is noted only immediately before childbirth. Therefore, opponents of mint during pregnancy believe that using the plant during the period of expectation of the baby increases the likelihood of an increase in the tone of the uterine muscles and increases the risk of miscarriage. Supporters of mint say that the vasodilating effect and pronounced hormonal action are possible only when a woman uses mint in large quantities and systematically over a long period of time. One-time use will not harm. Now that you are familiar with both positions, it is up to you and your doctor to decide whether to use mint or not. As for the beneficial properties of the medicinal plant, it would be unfair not to say that mint can be very useful. It contains a high amount of essential oils, which give the plant such a stunning unique smell. And it is they that provide a pronounced calming sedative effect and a mild analgesic effect. These properties of the plant were noticed by ancient healers, and then the question of estrogens did not arise at all, all pregnant women took aromatic decoctions of mint and other herbs and felt great. It was recommended to put mint branches under the pillow so that sleep was stronger, After all, in ancient times, doctors understood perfectly well that for the future baby there is nothing more important than maternal peace and good sleep.

In addition to essential oils, mint contains vitamins, with B vitamins leading in the composition, there are minerals – phosphorus, potassium, sodium. Amino acids and tannins are present in small quantities. If you approach the issue of using the plant wisely, then mint can be very useful for a pregnant woman. Doctors often recommend mint for colds. A pregnant woman is limited in her choice of pharmacy medications, especially in the early stages, and therefore tea with mint can be an excellent painkiller that will quickly help reduce the intensity of muscle and headaches. Concentrated formulations, for example, drops or water tincture of mint have the property of expanding blood vessels. And this property can be used for hypertension. Therefore, women prone to gestosis, thrombosis may be recommended not prophylactic, but therapeutic doses of mint, but in this case the appointment is carried out strictly by a doctor. He will also determine the dosage. In case of disruption of the stomach, intestines, bloating or flatulence, mint helps to cope with unpleasant sensations quite quickly. For nausea typical of toxicosis, pregnant women are often advised to drip a few drops of peppermint oil on a handkerchief to inhale it during the most severe attacks of nausea. With strong stress, emotionally unstable state Mint tea will help to calm down, fall asleep, relax well and then stay in a normal mood. Mint is recommended for women with weak immunity, Its moderate addition to tea helps to increase the natural protective forces of the body.

There are no restrictions on external use. Mint oils and decoctions can be applied topically to treat pustular rashes, dry skin, and cracks. Their perspiration is decreased when essential oil is applied to the foot.

When taken in moderation, mint can be safely used during pregnancy, providing benefits like reducing nausea and fostering relaxation. However, it’s crucial to speak with a doctor before using mint to avoid any potential complications.

Contraindications and possible harm

In order for a woman to figure out a matter in which even doctors cannot come to a single denominator, you should be very careful. In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is not recommended to lean on mint, taking it only in case of problems described above after preliminary consultation with the doctor. Given that the plant contains phytoestrogens, to eliminate the risk of miscarriage or premature birth, experts do not advise women to use mint if they have varicose veins. Women with low blood pressure should not drink tea with mint. Hypotonics may experience severe dizziness, loss of consciousness, and severe weakness after consuming mint. If a woman has already been diagnosed with a risk of spontaneous abortion, it is better to use other sedatives. Mint is also prohibited for vomiting not directly related to toxicosis. It is also recommended to avoid it at any stage for expectant mothers who have a low platelet count in the blood or have problems with the condition of the kidneys. Mint can harm any pregnant woman and at any stage if the plant is consumed in large quantities. You should know that in medicine, the symptoms of mint poisoning in case of an overdose are clearly described. A woman experiences severe repeated vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, and a slower heartbeat. In this case, the expectant mother needs urgent emergency medical care.

Mint has a strong lactation-inducing effect, so it is not advised for anyone to drink this aromatic and delicious tea after giving birth.

What type of mint is best to use?

In daily life, we frequently refer to the medicinal plant as just mint. However, there are actually over a dozen subspecies of the plant in addition to the 25 main varieties; these include bergamot, water, Japanese, peppermint, lemon, mountain, and curly mint. In Russia, peppermint has historically been the most widely used herb. This is what you can get at any pharmacy, so it is safe to use during pregnancy as long as you follow all safety precautions and take the recommended dosages.

When taken in moderation, mint can be a useful and calming herb during pregnancy. Its relaxing properties might aid in digestion, alleviating tension, and nausea. To make sure it’s safe for you and your child, use it with caution and speak with your healthcare provider, just like you would with any herb.

Avoid using concentrated mint oils or using too much; instead, stick to small amounts of mint tea or food flavored with mint. Since every pregnancy is different, it’s important to pay attention to your body and heed your doctor’s advice.

You can reap the benefits of mint while keeping a healthy, balanced pregnancy by using it wisely. Your health should always come first, and you should communicate openly with your medical team.

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