Disclaimer: Some sources suggest that nettle’s nutritional benefits may support pregnancy, potentially aiding in combating fatigue and providing essential minerals. However, concerns exist regarding its potential uterine-stimulating properties, especially when using fresh nettle, which could pose risks during pregnancy. It’s best to consult your doctor first before deciding if nettle tea is best for you.
Pregnancy is such a beautiful and life-changing experience, but if you’re a Cyster, you know that getting there isn’t always as simple as it sounds. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often face infertility challenges like irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation, poor egg quality, implantation issues, and more. But, here’s the good news: it’s absolutely possible to get pregnant with PCOS! With a little help regulating our hormone imbalances and maybe some extra support from a fertility specialist, it’s possible to get a positive pregnancy test.
And once you do? Cue the excitement and a few aches and pains. While pregnancy is filled with joy, it can also come with some common discomforts. Growing a tiny human takes A LOT of energy, and your body goes through so many rapid changes, leading to a lot of common symptoms like leg cramps, fatigue, swelling, joint pain, constipation, and more. Many moms-to-be turn to herbal teas for a soothing way to support their bodies, and nettle tea is often mentioned as a popular option.
Nettle tea is a soothing, nutrient-packed option that can help support your body and relieve symptoms during pregnancy. However, when it comes to pregnancy, not all herbs are created equal. Nettle tea is one that should be approached with caution. While some sources praise its rich nutrient content, others warn that it may stimulate uterine contractions or affect pregnancy in unpredictable ways. If you’re considering adding nettle tea to your routine, it’s essential to check with your doctor or midwife first to make sure it’s the right choice for you. In this blog, we’re breaking down everything you need to know—so you can feel informed, empowered, and confident in making the best decision for your body.
Note: The medical community recently updated the name of PCOS to PMOS. The stays for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, which is a much more accurate name for this condition! In future posts, you’ll likely see me use PMOS more often. I just wanted to give you a heads up so you weren’t confused. PCOS and PMOS refer to the same condition.
9 Benefits of Nettle Tea in Pregnancy
If you’ve been part of the Ovafit community for a while, then you already know how much I LOVE using herbal teas to naturally regulate hormones and reverse PCOS symptoms. Maybe you’ve even sipped on my favorite PCOS herbal tea blend to help support ovulation and boost fertility on your journey to conception!
But once you’re pregnant, it’s important to be mindful of which herbs are safe for you and your baby. Some herbal teas can be incredibly nourishing, while others should be avoided—so always check with your doctor or midwife before adding anything new to your routine.
One tea you might have heard about is nettle tea! While some sources highlight its benefits during pregnancy, others recommend caution, especially in early pregnancy. Let’s talk about some of the benefits of having nettle tea in moderation.
What is Nettle Tea?
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a beloved herb that’s been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries! It’s often recommended for pregnant women because it’s high in vitamins and minerals.
The nettle leaves come from the nettle plant, which grows in regions like Europe, Northern Africa, and parts of Asia. When steeped into a tea, nettle delivers a powerful combo of amino acids, polyphenols, vitamins, fatty acids, carotenes, and terpenes— nutrients that may support overall health. Because of its nutrient density, some herbalists recommend it for pregnancy, but opinions on its safety vary, especially in early pregnancy. That’s why it’s always best to talk to your doctor or midwife before adding nettle tea to your routine.
Nettle tea is also one of the ingredients in our Testosterone Relief Tea—a blend designed specifically for women with PCOS. Each herb in this tea was chosen based on research supporting its potential benefits in naturally lowering testosterone, supporting metabolic health, and promoting hormone balance.
Is Nettle Tea Safe During Pregnancy?
Nettle tea is sometimes recommended during pregnancy for its rich nutrient profile, but opinions on its safety vary—especially in the first trimester. Some herbalists praise it for its potential to support hormone health, blood sugar regulation, and inflammation, while others advise caution due to its possible stimulating effects on the uterus. Because every pregnancy is unique, be sure to talk to your doctor beforehand if you have any concerns!
If approved by your healthcare provider, some experts suggest pairing nettle tea with red raspberry leaf tea in the later stages of pregnancy to support overall wellness. It’s always best to make informed choices that prioritize both your well-being and your baby’s health!
What are the Benefits of Nettle Leaf Tea During Pregnancy?
Essential Pregnancy-Supporting Nutrients
When you’re pregnant, especially if you also have PCOS, your body needs some extra TLC in the form of key vitamins and minerals to keep you and baby healthy. Just one cozy cup of nettle tea is loaded with nutrients that can support you during pregnancy, like:
- Iron – to help prevent anemia (which is pretty common in pregnancy and even more likely if you dealt with heavy periods before conceiving)
- Calcium and Magnesium – to support your baby’s bone development and help ease those annoying leg cramps
- Vitamin K – to assist with healthy blood clotting and reduce the risk of too much bleeding during delivery
- Folate (Vitamin B9) – to help your baby’s neural tube develop properly and lower the risk of birth defects like spina bifida in the early stages of pregnancy
- Vitamin C – to boost your immune system and help your body absorb all that iron more efficiently
It’s basically a nutrient-packed hug for you and your little one!
Supports Blood Sugar Balance
With 80% of women with PCOS also dealing with insulin resistance, keeping your blood sugar steady is a BIG priority. This is especially true during pregnancy, where there’s a higher risk of gestational diabetes. Some research suggests that nettle leaf may help support healthy blood sugar levels and boost insulin sensitivity when combined with a balanced diet and lifestyle habits. However, blood sugar management during pregnancy should always be guided by your healthcare provider.
Reduces Inflammation
Nettle tea is a fantastic tool for reducing the low-grade inflammation that so many women with PCOS experience. During pregnancy, managing inflammation becomes even more important, as it can help lower the risk of complications like preeclampsia. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and compounds like flavonoids, polyphenols, and beta-sitosterol, nettle tea can help calm inflammation, which may help support overall wellness.
Increases Milk Production
If you’re planning to breastfeed, some research suggests that nettle tea can help support milk supply thanks to its rich nutrient profile, including like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A, C, K, and B-complex. Traditionally, it’s been used to stimulate the mammary glands and nourish the body postpartum. If this is something you’re interested in, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider!
Reduces Water Retention
People sometimes use nettle leaf tea as a natural diuretic, which means it helps your body gently release excess fluids. For Cysters dealing with inflammation or expecting moms experiencing pregnancy swelling (hello, puffy ankles!), a warm cup of nettle tea may offer some relief. But since diuretics aren’t always recommended during pregnancy, it’s important to check with your doctor before adding a natural diuretic to your routine. And as always, balance is key!
Relieves Joint Pain and Cramps
Struggling with joint pain or those pesky leg cramps? Nettle tea might just be your new best friend! It’s a beneficial natural remedy for easing joint discomfort during pregnancy and bonus. Thanks to its rich calcium and magnesium content, nettle tea can help soothe muscle spasms and cramping, both of which are super common during pregnancy. Plus, fun fact: it’s also been traditionally used to support joint health, so its benefits may extend long after pregnancy!
Supports Kidney Function
UTIs are no fun, (especially when you’re pregnant!), and they can happen more often than you might think, affecting around 8% of moms-to-be. Since treatment options can be limited during pregnancy, prevention is key! Some experts suggest that nettle tea may help support kidney function and urinary health, potentially lowering UTI risk. However, nettles can also have diuretic effects, so it’s extra important to talk to your doctor before adding it to your pregnancy routine.
Balances Hormones
Here’s something important you might not hear often: your liver is one of your biggest hormone helpers! It’s in charge of processing excess androgens and estrogen, two hormones that can get a little out of whack, especially for women with PCOS. The good news? Nettle tea is a gentle yet powerful way to give your liver some extra support. But since hormone shifts are extra sensitive during pregnancy, it’s always best to check in with your provider before using herbal remedies for hormonal support.
Helps Digestion
Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can slow down digestion, leaving you feeling bloated or backed up (we’ve all been there!) People have been using nettle tea as a gentle digestive aid for ages. It can help make bowel movements smoother and more regular. But since every pregnancy is unique, be sure to chat with your healthcare provider before making nettle tea a regular part of your routine!
Nettle Tea Benefits for Hormones
May Lower Androgen Levels
Research suggests compounds in stinging nettle leaf may influence sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG is the protein that binds to testosterone and makes it less active in the body. Studies also suggest nettle may help reduce the activity of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT (a more potent androgen). Together, these effects may help explain how nettle could support healthier androgen balance.
That said, most women don’t need to focus on lowering testosterone levels while pregnant. That’s a better goal for before or after pregnancy! So, before drinking nettle tea, talk to your doctor about your goals.
May Support Estrogen Balance
After your body uses estrogen, it has to break it down and remove it. If it’s not properly processed and cleared, excess estrogen can continue circulating in the body and potentially contribute to symptoms tied to hormonal imbalance. Most of this process happens in the liver. Nettle contains beneficial antioxidants and plant compounds that may help support optimal liver function and your body’s natural detoxification pathways. In turn, this may help support healthier estrogen balance and overall hormonal health. But again, don’t mess with any hormones without the direction of a doctor.
May Reduce Cortisol Levels
When you’re constantly stressed, your body releases more cortisol, your primary stress hormone. The problem is that when cortisol stays elevated for too long, it can throw other hormones out of balance too. Nettle contains beneficial antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and minerals calcium, potassium, and magnesium that may help support your body’s natural stress response.
If you’re feeling a lot of stress while expecting, call your doctor right away. High stress levels can impact pregnancy in a big way, so it shouldn’t be something you try to manage on your own.
May Improve Overall Hormone Balance
Your hormones don’t work independently. They constantly affect and communicate with each other, which means when one hormone is out of balance, it can trigger issues in other areas too. That’s why supporting things like stress, blood sugar, inflammation, and hormone detoxification can sometimes create positive ripple effects throughout the body. By supporting multiple systems at once, nettle tea may help contribute to healthier overall hormone balance.
When to Start Drinking Nettle Tea During Pregnancy
If you’re considering adding nettle tea to your pregnancy routine, the second trimester is often recommended as the best time to start—but always check with your doctor or midwife first! At this stage, your body (and baby!) could use extra nutritional support, and a warm cup of nettle tea may help you soak up all that iron, vitamins, and mineral-rich goodness.
If your provider gives the green light, one cup a day is a great place to start. As you move into the third trimester, some experts suggest that up to two cups daily may help support your body’s preparation for labor and a smoother postpartum recovery.
And the benefits don’t stop there! After baby arrives, nettle tea is often used to naturally support milk production while breastfeeding. But as always, listen to your body and check in with your provider to ensure it’s the right fit for you!
How to Prepare Nettle Tea Like a Pro
Step One: Bring your tea blend to 200°F.
Start by heating one or two cups of water to 200°F. I recommend using a temperature controlled electric kettle to get as close to 200°F as possible. But, if you don’t, just bring the water nearly to a boil and call it a day. Getting a precise temperature will help ensure you extract all the benefits from the tea and get the best flavor.
Step Two: Place the tea bag in a mug and pour water over it.
Next, place your Testosterone Relief Tea blend’s plastic-free tea bag in your desired mug. Pour the hot water over the tea bag.
Step Three: Steep for 7-8 minutes and remove bag.
Next, let the tea bag steep in the water for 7-8 minutes. This will give you great flavor and as many hormone-balancing benefits as possible. If you prefer a stronger tea flavor, leave the bag in there a few more minutes.
Step Four: Add your desired mix-ins.
If you don’t like drinking your tea plain, consider adding something in to make it a little more palatable. (But don’t go overboard with sugary stuff that will counteract the herbal benefits.) Here are some mix-in ideas that can bring out some great flavor without compromising your gains:
- Vanilla Extract
- Oat or Coconut Milk
- Raw Honey
- Xylitol
- Squeeze of Lemon
Step Five: Drink warm, pour over ice, or add to smoothie.
Either drink it as is or dress it up a little more. You could pour it over ice for iced tea or even mix it into a smoothie if you want to further mask the tea flavor. I love the taste of Testosterone Relief Tea, but I know not everyone’s a tea lover! There are lots of ways to consume nettle tea without drinking straight tea. Beyond the smoothie idea, you could also make it into a popsicle, dress it up into a mocktail, or even use it to prep your overnight oats. Just experiment until you find a routine that works for you!
Pregnancy is possible with PCOS and a little help from Ovafit!
Nettle tea is just one of the powerhouse herbs we carefully selected for Testosterone Relief Tea, a blend designed specifically for women with PCOS. This tea is packed with ingredients backed by research to naturally lower testosterone levels, support metabolic health, and promote hormone balance.
Not only did we focus on the best herbs for PCOS (like spearmint, chamomile, and more), but we also made sure this tea is free from plastics and BPA. Many tea bags contain hidden plastics that can release hormone-disrupting chemicals into your drink—something no Cyster needs! That’s why our tea comes in biodegradable, pyramid-shaped sachets, allowing for a full, flavorful steep without the unwanted toxins.
If you’re pregnant or postpartum and interested in adding Testosterone Relief Tea to your routine, be sure to consult your doctor or healthcare provider first to ensure it’s the right fit for you.
If you’ve been on the PCOS journey and are trying to conceive, you know how difficult it can be to find useful but natural ways to get pregnant… it can feel like a full-time job! That’s where Ovafit’s NSF-certified Purely PreNatal comes to the rescue. This two-step system is packed with fertility-focused nutrients designed to balance hormones, support reproductive health, and help your body feel fully prepped and ready to conceive.