5 Herbs to Boost Energy During Pregnancy
Feeling exhausted during pregnancy? Discover how these 5 herbs to boost energy during pregnancy can help you feel more vibrant and energized throughout your journey to motherhood.
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Feeling tired during pregnancy is super common, especially in the first trimester. Your body is working hard to grow a baby, which takes a lot of energy. This can leave pregnant women feeling low on energy, dealing with morning sickness, and just overall drained. Many turn to herbal teas and remedies to feel better, especially since herbal medicine has been used for centuries.
Herbal teas and certain herbs can help boost energy naturally during pregnancy. Common herbs like red raspberry leaf, nettle leaf, and oatstraw are a great way to nourish your body and give you the energy you need without relying on caffeine or energy drinks, which can have negative effects.
These herbs are rich in vitamins and minerals that support the immune system, help with blood flow, and fight iron deficiency anemia, all of which are important during early pregnancy and beyond. Plus, these herbs are known for their gentle and safe properties when used in moderate amounts.
Herbal remedies can be a natural remedy to help with pregnancy fatigue, and they're a good idea for pregnant individuals looking for a healthy, low-risk boost in energy. Many health professionals recommend these types of medicinal herbs because they have a positive effect on both the mother and baby’s health, supporting a healthy pregnancy from start to finish.
Why Fatigue Happens During Pregnancy
Hormonal Changes
During pregnancy, your body goes through big hormonal changes, especially in the first trimester. These changes help your baby grow, but they can also make pregnant women feel super tired.
Hormones like progesterone are important for keeping a healthy pregnancy, but they can also slow you down, making you feel sleepy and low on energy. This is why many pregnant people feel so exhausted, especially early on. It’s a natural part of the process, but it can be draining.
Increased Nutritional Demands
Your body needs extra nutrients to help your baby grow. In early pregnancy, your body works harder to make sure your baby gets the right vitamins and minerals, like folic acid and iron. Iron deficiency anemia can make you feel even more tired because your body isn’t getting enough oxygen from your blood flow.
That’s why eating well, taking prenatal vitamins, and drinking herbal teas like nettle leaf or red raspberry leaf tea, which are a great source of iron, can help with energy. Herbal remedies and natural supplements are a good idea to support your energy levels naturally.
The Role of Stress and Sleep
Stress and lack of sleep also affect your energy during pregnancy. It’s common to have trouble sleeping, especially with common symptoms like morning sickness, discomfort, and the mental stress of pregnancy. When you don’t sleep well, your immune system can suffer, and your body has a harder time staying energized.
Stress can also cause fatigue and may even lead to mild depression or feeling overwhelmed. Relaxing herbal teas, like chamomile tea or peppermint tea, can help calm you down and make it easier to rest. These teas are gentle, safe herbs with positive effects that promote better sleep and reduce stress.
5 Herbs to Boost Energy During Pregnancy
1. Red Raspberry Leaf
Red raspberry leaf is one of the most popular herbs for pregnant women. It is often used as a herbal remedy in the form of tea because it supports a healthy uterus and helps strengthen the body during pregnancy.
Drinking red raspberry leaf tea in the second and third trimester is a great way to prepare the body for labor while also giving you a gentle boost of energy. It’s one of those important herbs that helps keep you strong and healthy, especially during the later stages of pregnancy.
2. Nettle
Nettle leaf is a powerhouse when it comes to boosting energy. This herb is packed with minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium, which help fight fatigue, especially if you’re dealing with iron deficiency anemia.
Nettle’s rich iron content makes it a great source of energy for pregnant women, particularly those in the first trimester who might be feeling extra tired. Drinking nettle tea or adding it to your herbal tea blends can give your immune system and energy levels a positive boost. Plus, it’s a safe herb that health professionals often recommend during pregnancy.
3. Oatstraw
Oatstraw is known for its calming yet energizing effects, making it perfect for pregnant people who are feeling drained but also need to relax. This herb helps nourish the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety while still providing energy.
Oatstraw is often used as a herbal medicine to improve cognitive function and help you feel more alert without the jitters that come with much caffeine. It’s a great way to support overall well-being during pregnancy, especially when combined with other herbal teas.
4. Alfalfa
Alfalfa is another herb that’s rich in vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, which is crucial during early pregnancy. It supports healthy blood flow and can help reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia.
Alfalfa is a great source of energy for pregnant women and can be added to herbal tea blends or taken as a supplement. It’s a good idea to use this herb in moderate amounts to avoid any adverse effects, but it’s generally considered safe and beneficial during pregnancy.
5. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is known for its calming properties, but it also provides a gentle energy boost. This herb helps to ease stress and mild depression, which can be common symptoms during pregnancy, especially when you’re feeling exhausted.
Lemon balm tea is a soothing way to lift your mood and energy levels without much caffeine. It’s a safe herb to use in small amounts during pregnancy and can have a positive effect on both your energy and emotional well-being.
3 Tea Blends to Boost Energy Throughout the Day
Blend 1: Morning Energy Boost
Ingredients:
Instructions:
To start your day with a natural energy boost, add 1-2 tablespoons each of red raspberry leaf, nettle, oatstraw, and alfalfa to a quart of hot water. Let it steep for 4-6 hours to make a strong infusion. Once it's ready, sip this herbal tea throughout your morning.
Benefits:
This blend is a great source of iron and other important minerals that help pregnant women feel more energized. Red raspberry leaf tea supports uterine health, nettle leaf helps with iron deficiency anemia, and oatstraw promotes healthy blood flow, making this a great way to start the day with sustained energy.
Blend 2: Midday Replenisher
Ingredients:
Instructions:
When your energy dips in the afternoon, prepare this refreshing tea. Steep nettle, lemon balm, and peppermint in boiling water for at least 4 hours. Drink this herbal tea blend in the afternoon to help you stay energized.
Benefits:
Nettle provides essential minerals to support the immune system and boost energy. Lemon balm is calming and supports mood, while peppermint tea offers a refreshing burst that’s perfect for a midday lift. This tea has positive effects without much caffeine, so it's safe for pregnant individuals.
Blend 3: Evening Relax & Recharge
Ingredients:
Instructions:
For a soothing end to your day, add 1-2 tablespoons of oatstraw, chamomile, and red raspberry leaf to hot water. Steep for 4-6 hours to get the most out of these herbs, then enjoy this calming tea in the evening.
Benefits:
Oatstraw helps nourish the nervous system, chamomile tea promotes relaxation, and red raspberry leaf supports uterine health while providing gentle energy. This herbal remedy is a great way to wind down and prepare for restful sleep, helping to support a healthy pregnancy from morning to night.
How to Use Herbal Infusions During Pregnancy
Strong Infusions for Maximum Benefits
Herbal infusions are a great way for pregnant women to get the most out of common herbs like nettle leaf, red raspberry leaf, and oatstraw. To make a strong infusion, you need to let the herbs steep in hot water for much longer than regular teas—about 4-6 hours. This longer steeping time allows more vitamins and minerals to be released, giving you a stronger, more beneficial tea. These strong infusions are especially helpful during pregnancy because they extract nutrients like iron, calcium, and magnesium, which are important for a healthy pregnancy and can help with energy, immune system support, and even morning sickness.
Daily Use
Incorporating herbal infusions into your daily routine is easy. You can start your day with a morning infusion like red raspberry leaf tea for a gentle energy boost and uterine support. In the afternoon, sip a midday replenisher like nettle and peppermint tea to keep your energy levels up without the negative effects of caffeine. Finally, unwind in the evening with a relaxing blend of oatstraw and chamomile tea to help calm your mind and nourish your body.
You can prepare these infusions the night before so they’re ready to drink throughout the day. Store them in the fridge and warm them up or drink them cold. This is a great way to use herbs regularly, especially when you’re looking for natural remedies to boost energy and support your body during pregnancy.
Safety Considerations
While herbal medicine can be a great way to support your pregnancy, it’s always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new herbal remedies, especially if you’re pregnant. Some herbs, when taken in large amounts or over long-term use, can have adverse effects. For example, avoid herbs that could cause uterine contractions in early pregnancy, like large doses of black cohosh or blue cohosh. Stick to safe herbs like red raspberry leaf, nettle, and chamomile in moderate amounts.
It’s also important to be aware of any allergic reactions to specific herbs and avoid large doses of any single herb without medical guidance. Health care providers or TCM physicians can offer advice tailored to your medical condition and stage of pregnancy, helping you choose the right herbal supplements or teas for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Conclusion
Herbs can be a gentle and effective way to help pregnant women maintain energy levels throughout pregnancy. Nutrient-dense herbs like red raspberry leaf, nettle, and oatstraw offer a natural remedy for common symptoms like fatigue and can provide important nutrients that support a healthy pregnancy.
These herbal teas are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as iron and magnesium, which help with energy, immune system support, and overall wellness during this special time. Plus, they’re easy to use and a great alternative to energy drinks or soft drinks that often contain much caffeine.
If you’re feeling tired during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester or second trimester, herbal teas can be a great way to boost your energy naturally. Try the tea blends shared here—whether it’s a morning energy boost, a midday replenisher, or an evening relax and recharge blend—and see how they work for you.
Adapt them to fit your daily routine and enjoy the positive effect they can have on your well-being. Always remember to check with a healthcare provider before starting any new herbal remedy, but once you do, you’ll find that these natural remedies can make a big difference in how you feel during pregnancy.
