Can I eat Licorice tea?

Licorice tea should be avoided during pregnancy. Glycyrrhizin in licorice root linked to preterm birth and developmental issues. The primary risks are: Preterm birth, Impaired fetal brain development, Elevated cortisol. These pose real dangers to both mother and baby. Safe alternatives include: Peppermint tea, Ginger tea, Rooibos tea. This guidance is based on WHO recommendations for pregnant women.

An "Avoid Completely" rating means major health authorities (FDA, ACOG, CDC, and/or USDA) advise against this food during pregnancy due to a specific, well-documented risk — not a minor precaution or a matter of personal preference. Foods in this category typically carry either no safe preparation method (as with alcohol) or a meaningfully elevated risk of foodborne illness or fetal harm even with careful handling. If you’re unsure whether a past exposure is a concern, your provider is the best resource for guidance specific to your situation.

ACOG guidance advises keeping caffeine intake under 200mg per day during pregnancy, roughly the amount in 1-2 cups of coffee, since higher intake has been associated with increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight. Alcohol is treated differently: no amount has been established as safe during pregnancy, and CDC/ACOG guidance is to avoid it completely, since it's linked to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Herbal teas vary by ingredient — some, like ginger tea, are commonly considered fine in moderation, but many herbal blends haven't been studied for pregnancy safety, so it's worth checking any specific blend rather than assuming all herbal tea is automatically safe. Staying well hydrated with water is also worth prioritizing during pregnancy, since fluid needs increase, and it's an easy way to naturally limit how much room is left for caffeinated or sugary drinks.

The risk this food carries isn’t limited to a specific trimester — the guidance to avoid it applies from conception through delivery. If you ate this before realizing you were pregnant, a single past exposure is a common concern; mention it to your provider at your next appointment rather than worrying it caused harm, since isolated exposure is generally lower-risk than regular consumption. If you experience symptoms like fever, vomiting, or unusual cramping after eating this food, contact your provider promptly rather than waiting to see if it resolves.

Beyond food-specific guidance, a few baseline food-handling habits reduce risk across everything you eat during pregnancy. These come from general FDA and USDA food-safety guidance rather than being specific to any one food, and they apply the same way in every trimester: