Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Aloe vera juice is derived from the leaf pulp of the aloe plant (Aloe barbadensis miller). It contains various compounds including polysaccharides, anthraquinones, and salicylic acid. Different processing methods produce different types of aloe juice—whole leaf extracts contain more anthraquinones (including aloin),…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Green tea is made from the unoxidized leaves of Camellia sinensis and contains caffeine (typically 20-45mg per 8oz cup), catechins (particularly epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG), theanine, and various other bioactive compounds. Its safety considerations involve both its caffeine content and the high…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Black tea is made from the oxidized leaves of Camellia sinensis and contains caffeine (typically 40-70mg per 8oz cup), theanine, catechins, theaflavins, thearubigins, and various other bioactive compounds. Unlike herbal teas, black tea is a “true tea” and its safety considerations primarily…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Safe Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Mint blend teas typically contain various species from the Mentha genus, potentially including peppermint (Mentha piperita), spearmint (Mentha spicata), water mint (Mentha aquatica), and other mint varieties. These teas contain varying amounts of menthol, menthone, limonene, carvone, and other aromatic compounds that…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Licorice tea is made from the roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Its primary bioactive compound is glycyrrhizin (also called glycyrrhizic acid), along with various flavonoids and phytosterols. Licorice has been used traditionally for digestive complaints, cough, and as an anti-inflammatory agent.…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Turmeric tea or golden milk is prepared from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, often combined with black pepper and other spices in milk or plant-based alternatives. Its primary bioactive compound is curcumin, along with other curcuminoids and essential oils, known for potent…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Cinnamon tea is made from the inner bark of trees from the Cinnamomum genus, primarily Cinnamomum cassia (cassia cinnamon) or Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon). It contains bioactive compounds including cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and various polyphenols that contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Safe Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Rose hip tea is made from the fruit of the rose plant (Rosa species, often Rosa canina), which forms after the flowers have bloomed. It’s rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids, and other antioxidants, and has traditionally been used for its anti-inflammatory…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Herbal chai tea is a spiced beverage typically containing a mixture of aromatic herbs and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, star anise, and black pepper. Unlike traditional chai, herbal varieties do not contain black tea, making them caffeine-free alternatives. The…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Valerian teas and tinctures are made from the roots of Valeriana officinalis and is primarily known for its sedative, anxiolytic, and sleep-promoting properties. It contains various bioactive compounds including valerenic acid, valepotriates, and sesquiterpenes that contribute to its central nervous system effects.…