If you prefer natural products, it’s good to know what herbs should be avoided when you’re pregnant. One example is ginseng which interferes with the baby’s growth and could lead to a miscarriage. Ginseng appears in herbal tea, energy drinks, and certain foods, which is why it’s smart to check the label first.
But what about calendula? Not only is it in herbal tea, but it’s also found in skin and hair care products. The FDA considers calendula to be generally safe for human use. Moreover, it’s promoted as a healing herb and it appears in lots of things made for sensitive skin (like diaper cream).
But is calendula safe during pregnancy? The short answer is no. At least, that’s what the experts say (1).
Let’s talk about what calendula is and why it’s problematic for pregnant women.
What is calendula?
The official name is Calendula officinalis or English Garden Marigold. It grows throughout southern Europe and Asia.
In Ayurvedic medicine, calendula is used to treat wounds and reduce inflammation. A modern study found that accelerates the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. That’s one of the reasons why you’ll find it in skincare creams (2).
Moreover, calendula is full of antioxidants like carotenoids, polyphenols, triterpenes, and flavonoids. These have potent anti-inflammatory power that slows premature aging.
Who should not take calendula?
Anyone who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant should not take calendula because it appears to affect the menstrual cycle and may cause bleeding. (2)
However, there haven’t been any studies on how calendula affects pregnancy in humans because it’s too risky.
Also, calendula may trigger allergies. People who are allergic to the Asteraceae family of plants like German chamomile, daisies, chrysanthemums, or ragweed might end up with a rash or worse.
And if you take blood pressure medication or sedatives, calendula may interfere with them. It can intensify the sedative effect and slow down the heart rate and respiration which is downright dangerous (1).
Of course, the more intensely concentrated the calendula, the higher the risk. If you’re using nipple cream with a small amount of calendula, that’s not nearly as risky as drinking calendula tea during pregnancy. And when it comes to essential oils, let’s just say that calendula oil isn’t safe for pregnancy even if you properly dilute it.
Any benefits you can get from calendula, you can find in alternatives. You can get loads of antioxidants from foods that are good to eat during pregnancy like spinach and cranberries.
Is calendula safe during breastfeeding?
As far as I know, no studies have been done on how calendula affects the baby if you use it during breastfeeding. Moms generally wipe off nipple cream before breastfeeding. And it’s a good idea to avoid drinking calendula tea or using calendula flower extract, too.
Alternatives to calendula that are safe during pregnancy
Culinary herbs and plants like ginger, basil, garlic, sage, parsley, and fennel not only add flavor to your food but also provide essential nutrients for your baby (3).
Rooibos tea is a caffeine-free option with lots of antioxidants. Mint or ginger tea calm nausea. And a little green tea now and then provides an energy boost (and many more antioxidants).
Chamomile is a calming tea like calendula, but strictly limit how much you drink. Unfortunately, it’s linked to miscarriage (4).
Instead of relying on calendula, now’s a good time to branch out and try other things that are proven to be safe during pregnancy. For example, instead of nipple balm with calendula, soothe that chapped skin with hydrogel pads.
What to use instead of calendula cream?
Sore nipples are a reality when you’re nursing. I bet you can think of at least one major brand that promotes cream with calendula for healing chapped skin. Not to worry, you have options.
Medela Soothing Gel Pads for Breastfeeding
It might seem early to talk about breastfeeding if you’re only in the first trimester. But it’s a great idea to think about your options before you’re brain-dead from fatigue!
What are hydrogel pads? They are individually-wrapped nipple covers made from a cool, lightweight substance. You can store them in the fridge so they feel even more soothing.
Each set is reusable for up to 24 hours. They aren’t exactly absorbent but they cut down on breast milk leakage. Moreover, they have a slightly sticky side that keeps them in place inside the bra.
The other side that touches the skin isn’t like a Band-Aid. There is no adhesive so it doesn’t hurt. Instead, the pleasant texture contours to the nipple and protects it from abrasion so that the chapped skin can heal.
Pro tip: depending on the size of the nipple, you may be able to cut the pads in half to make them last longer.
Bamboobies Women’s All-Purpose Balm
A lot of nipple creams use lanolin derived from sheep’s wool. Unfortunately, lanolin may cause an allergic reaction and it smells and tastes funny. Try this balm instead. It uses colloidal oatmeal to keep the skin hydrated and calm.
Instead of calendula, it uses calming aloe, shea butter, and beeswax. Happily, there are no artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates, or petroleum.
Plus, the cream is useful for treating rashes, poison ivy, and insect bites on you and your baby.
What herbal tea is safe to drink instead of calendula?
If you’ve gotten into the habit of drinking herbal tea, you’ll need to go through your collection when you become pregnant. Give away ginseng, calendula, and rosemary tea. Get rid of any laxative teas, too. (The jury’s hung on red raspberry leaf tea).
Now, it’s time to stock up on safe herbal tea during pregnancy.
Organic Rooibos Tea
Rooibos is also called red bush tea. Although it’s been popular in Africa for a long time, it’s only recently become a best-seller in the USA.
The flavor is earthy and sweet so you can drink it without any extra flavoring. Nevertheless, I like to add a little honey or cream. If you steep it for about 4 minutes, it turns out perfect.
This particular brand of rooibos is certified organic and imported from South Africa. It’s packaged as individual tea bags in a resealable bag.
Buddha Teas Organic Ginger Root Tea
Ginger tea is safer than peppermint during pregnancy. Sadly, if you drink a lot of peppermint, it can increase bleeding. And if you have digestive troubles, it may backfire and cause more reflux.
I love ginger tea because it’s spicy and warm. The scent never fails to make me feel better. And even though the tea isn’t caffeinated, it seems to give me more energy.
Steep the ginger tea for up to 6 minutes then add a little honey and lemon. Watch out, you might become addicted.
By the way, this brand sources wildcrafted, organic ginger and packs it in unbleached teabags.
How to avoid stretch marks without calendula
Even if stretch marks run in your family, there’s no reason to not take care of yourself. Help your skin accommodate your growing belly by keeping it hydrated.
Burt’s Bees Mama Belly Butter Skin Care
Burt’s Bees calls this a pregnancy lotion, but it’s a bit creamier than that. I’d call it body butter.
It’s made with shea butter plus delicious natural oils like sunflower, coconut, and sweet almond. It has no artificial fragrance, parabens, petrolatum, or phthalates.
It’s nearly odorless – whatever tiny scent there is from the natural ingredients fades quickly. Apply it to your belly, thighs, hips, and wherever you need it. It can also help with chapped nipples.
Boost your diet with antioxidant-rich foods instead of calendula
Did you know that calendula is an edible flower? But you don’t need marigold on your salad to be healthy.
Other foods like cranberries, jujube fruit, and spinach are packed with antioxidants. They are a tasty way to make sure your body can fight off inflammation and damage from pollution.
Herbaila Dried Blueberries, No Sugar Added
Fresh or dried blueberries are delicious in smoothies, yogurt, and muffins. There are advantages of dried over fresh: they don’t go bad so fast and they are more portable, like for snack mixes.
These dried blueberries are naturally sweet with no added sugar. They are surprisingly plump although they have no additives whatsoever.
Berries aren’t just rich in antioxidants, but they also protect the eyesight and are a good defense against heart disease.
Mother Earth Products Dehydrated Spinach
When you were a kid, did you like eating spinach? Some kids do – but most kids don’t. Even adults struggle with it. Sometimes it’s nice to have spinach in a salad but it’s not always convenient to pick up a fresh bag.
Do you want to know my secret for eating enough spinach without letting it rot in my fridge? It’s dried spinach powder. Seriously, this stuff is really handy. All you have to do to use it is rehydrate it. No, it’s not going to have the texture of spinach leaves because it’s freeze-dried and ground up into particles. But it still works great in lasagna, meatloaf, and soup. It also does well in smoothies. You might not even notice the spinach in the smoothie depending on the other flavors you add.
One-half cup becomes a one-cup serving when combined with water. And since it’s shelf-stable, it’s a smart emergency supply item because it’s usable if the power goes out.
JUJUME Organic California-Grown Jujube Superfood
If you’ve been reading my other articles about healthy eating during pregnancy, you might already recognize jujube fruit. I can’t stop talking about it because it’s amazing.
Researchers in a polluted city in Iran had moms eat jujube fruit and then tested their breast milk for heavy metals. Eating the fruit regularly appeared to reduce the concentration of the toxins. (5)
Furthermore, it’s pretty tasty stuff and overflowing with vitamin C.
How to know what’s safe during pregnancy?
It’s a big, bad world out there. It seems like every day we hear about newly discovered toxins in food and water. All that’s on top of the half-truths and urban legends going round and round on the Internet. People believe the craziest stuff. So, how can you know what’s really safe to eat, drink, take, and use during pregnancy?
My first suggestion is that you talk to your OB/GYN. The next idea is to talk to a nutritionist. If something sounds fishy, it’s smart to get a second opinion.
If you have a midwife, speak to them, too. But be cautious about trusting traditional medicine blindly. It’s best if the medical professional is well-rounded.
Some pregnant women research medical journals in search of the latest information. But be careful to check the section of the article that declares whether the scientists involved have any affiliations with businesses. Sometimes a company like Burt’s Bees will commission a study to show the efficacy of a product. I’m not saying that the study isn’t valid – it’s just that it might be better to get a neutral party’s opinion instead.
Overall, don’t panic if you just had a cup of calendula tea and then found out that you shouldn’t be drinking it. Watch yourself for symptoms and get medical help if you start spotting or feeling unwell.
I think most parents end up living by the rule “better safe than sorry”. If you’re not sure that something is okay for you when you’re pregnant, just put it aside for a few months.
Conclusion
Even though it’s best to avoid calendula during pregnancy, you can still get similar benefits from other things. Look for foods that are high in antioxidants. Drink herbal teas like rooibos and ginger. And take good care of your skin with healing moisturizers like shea butter. Then, after nursing, you can enjoy calendula once again.
If you have a pressing reason why you want to use calendula during pregnancy, I strongly recommend that you talk to your OB/GYN. As with everything that’s good, enjoy Nature’s bounty in moderation.
Sources:
1. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-235/calendula Calendula – Uses, Side Effects, and More
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/calendula-tea#Side-effects-and-precautions 7 Potential Benefits of Calendula Tea and Extract, Last medically reviewed on April 8, 2020
3. https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy-and-herbal-therapy.aspx Are Herbs Safe for Pregnancy Symptoms? by Sara Novak, Medically Reviewed by James Greenberg, M.D. on May 3, 2021
4. https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/is-it-safe/how-much-tea-can-you-drink-when-pregnant/ Your Guide to Drinking Tea During Pregnancy, What teas are safe to drink when you’re pregnant? From green to black, peppermint to chamomile, here’s what to steep when you’re expecting by Amy Paturel, M.S., M.P.H., updated on July 22, 2022
5. Kelishadi R, Hasanghaliaei N, Poursafa P, Keikha M, Ghannadi A, Yazdi M, Rahimi E. A randomized controlled trial on the effects of jujube fruit on the concentrations of some toxic trace elements in human milk. J Res Med Sci. 2016 Nov 7;21:108. doi: 10.4103/1735-1995.193499. PMID: 28250785; PMCID: PMC5322685.