Supporting Reproductive Wellness With Tea

Let’s explore what the evidence holds about teas and how certain teas can bring calm to a woman’s reproductive wellness.

We have become a culture that loves caffeinated drinks. Beverages like coffee, black tea, and green tea have become part of our morning ritual.  However, these beverages can create feelings of anxiety and agitation for many, even without them knowing.  A woman’s reproductive wellness thrives in a place of calm and evidence shows that there are teas that can help to facilitate calm and essentially also play a positive role in a woman’s reproductive wellness.   

 

ASHWAGANDHA TEA

Ashwagandha root, also known as withania somnifera is considered an adaptogen, and as such helps the body to adapt and manage stress[1], thereby helping to restore balance.  This is why Ashwagandha tea may be a good choice to support calm.  Studies also show that Ashwagandha has a positive effect on both men and women looking to enhance fertility.  However, further research is needed.[2] 

AYURVEDIC DETOX TEA

Ayurvedic detox tea is another tea that can encourage calmness in the body. These teas are a mixture of herbs that helps promote detoxification in the body.  The detoxification and elimination of toxins helps with relaxation and calm.  On a short list, Ayurvedic teas may contain two or more ingredients containing; coriander, cumin, fennel. ginger, milk thistle, or turmeric.

CHAMOMILE TEA

Research suggest that continued use of chamomile can reduce symptoms of anxiety.[3]  Historically, Roman chamomile has been used as a mild tranquilizer for the reduction of anxiety.[4] 

PASSIONFLOWER TEA

Research has shown that passionflower can improve sleep [5] and help people better manage anxiety[6]. There is also some evidence that Passionflower can help with menopausal symptoms.[7] Of most importance, passionflower should not be taken during pregnancy as it can stimulate uterine contractions.[8] 

PEPPERMINT TEA

In a study aimed at determining the inhaled effect of peppermint on anxiety, it was found that peppermint oil reduces anxiety and depression.  Studies have shown that aromatherapy of peppermint can reduce anxiety and depression.[9]  Headaches and migraines tend to go hand-in-hand with feelings of anxiety.  As a result, a German study found that peppermint tea applied to the forehead and temples can have a beneficial effect on headache pain.[10]  Women that are pregnant will want to use diluted peppermint tea.  Peppermint tea may be advantageous in calming morning sickness in women with a history of miscarriage.[11] 

DANDELION ROOT TEA

Dandelion root tea is most often used to quell digestive woes and to help detox the liver. If you have been under stress for a significant amount of time, your digestive system may be out of balance resulting in constipation, diarrhea and indigestion.  Dandelion is contraindicated for some persons[12] and may result in allergic reactions for others.[13]

LAVENDER TEA

Lavender has a long history of use for anxiety and insomnia.  However, it must be noted that not all species of lavender exhibit a calming effect.  For instance, Spanish lavender for some, does the opposite, and acts as a stimulant.  Lavender oil should not be used by pregnant or nursing women due to its estrogenic effect.  If you are showing signs of estrogen dominance or have hormonal concerns, you’d be wise to speak with your medical doctor before using lavender.

LEMON BALM TEA (Melissa Tea)

A 2010 study showed that Lemon Balm boosted GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), a neurotransmitter inhibitor.  This possibly can have an effect on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.[14] So, if your feelings of anxiety are related to GABA, then speak with your medical doctor to see if supplementing with Lemon Balm is appropriate for you.

MILK THISTLE TEA

Studies show that milk thistle, also known as silymarin, prevents chemicals and toxins from damaging the liver.[15]  Milk thistle has the ability to inhibit oxidative stress to the liver.  This will likely provide a calming effect for the body. 

GREEN TEA

Although green tea has caffeine and quercetin, studies show that green tea is high in the amino acid l-theanine, which might serve to reduce anxiety. [16] Much is known about caffeine, but not as much about quercetin.  Quercetin has a catechol structure and, as a result, is processed by our bodies similar to epinephrine and norepinephrine. If green tea results in anxiety for you, to derive the benefits, you could try taking decaffeinated green tea or opt for l-theanine, the active ingredient for calm. 

Enjoy more tea and embrace calm!

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Resources

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[1] Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(5 Suppl):208-13. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9. Epub 2011 Jul 3. PMID: 22754076; PMCID: PMC3252722.

[2] Nasimi Doost Azgomi R, Zomorrodi A, Nazemyieh H, Fazljou SMB, Sadeghi Bazargani H, Nejatbakhsh F, Moini Jazani A, Ahmadi AsrBadr Y. Effects of Withania somnifera on Reproductive System: A Systematic Review of the Available Evidence. Biomed Res Int. 2018 Jan 24;2018:4076430. doi: 10.1155/2018/4076430. Erratum in: Biomed Res Int. 2019 Nov 21;2019:7591541. PMID: 29670898; PMCID: PMC5833251.

[3] Mao JJ, Xie SX, Keefe JR, Soeller I, Li QS, Amsterdam JD. Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial. Phytomedicine. 2016 Dec 15;23(14):1735-1742. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2016.10.012. Epub 2016 Oct 24. PMID: 27912875; PMCID: PMC5646235.

[4] Jia Y, Zou J, Wang Y, Zhang X, Shi Y, Liang Y, Guo D, Yang M. Action mechanism of Roman chamomile in the treatment of anxiety disorder based on network pharmacology. J Food Biochem. 2021 Jan;45(1):e13547. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.13547. Epub 2020 Nov 5. PMID: 33152801.

[5] ​Ngan, A., & Conduit, R. (2011). A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality. Phytotherapy Research, 25(8), 1153-1159.

[6] Dantas, L. P., de Oliveira-Ribeiro, A., de Almeida-Souza, L. M., & Groppo, F. C. (2017). Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction. Medicina oral, patologia oral y cirugia bucal, 22(1), e95

[7] National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Passionflower

[8] Prescription for Herbal Healing, Passionflower, pg. 108, Phyllis A Bach, CNC

[9] Vaezi, A. A., Parizi, S., Vahidi, A. R., & Tavangar, H. (2017). Study the effect of inhalation of peppermint oil on depression and anxiety in patients with myocardial infarction who are hospitalized in intensive care units of Sirjan. Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2(62), 55-62

[10] Prescription for Herbal Healing, Peppermint, pg. 109, Phyllis A Bach, CNC

[11] Prescription for Herbal Healing, Passionflower, pg. 109, Phyllis A Bach, CNC

[12] Prescription for Herbal Healing, Dandelion, pg. 56, Phyllis A Bach, CNC

[13] National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Dandelion

[14] Yoo DY, Choi JH, Kim W, Yoo KY, Lee CH, Yoon YS, Won MH, Hwang IK. Effects of Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) extract on neurogenesis associated with serum corticosterone and GABA in the mouse dentate gyrus. Neurochem Res. 2011 Feb;36(2):250-7. doi: 10.1007/s11064-010-0312-2. Epub 2010 Nov 13. PMID: 21076869.

[15] Kim SH, Oh DS, Oh JY, Son TG, Yuk DY, Jung YS. Silymarin Prevents Restraint Stress-Induced Acute Liver Injury by Ameliorating Oxidative Stress and Reducing Inflammatory Response. Molecules. 2016 Apr 1;21(4):443. doi: 10.3390/molecules21040443. PMID: 27043523; PMCID: PMC6274117.

[16] Higashiyama, A., Htay, H. H., Ozeki, M., Juneja, L. R., & Kapoor, M. P. (2011). Effects of l-theanine on attention and reaction time response. Journal of Functional Foods, 3(3), 171-178.