Yes, many people can safely drink small amounts of cinnamon tea while pregnant, but there are some important limits and precautions. Always check with your own healthcare provider first, especially if you have any medical conditions or take regular medications.
Is it generally safe?
In typical food-level amounts, cinnamon (including mild cinnamon tea) is generally considered safe during pregnancy, and there is no evidence that normal culinary use causes miscarriage or induces labor. Most guidance recommends sticking to one weak cup per day, made with about 1–2 grams of cinnamon, rather than strong or multiple daily servings.
Benefits of cinnamon tea
Cinnamon contains antioxidants and has mild anti‑inflammatory properties, which may support overall health in pregnancy. A gentle cinnamon tea may also help some people with digestion and nausea, offering a soothing warm drink without caffeine.
Risks and when to avoid it
High intakes of cinnamon, especially Cassia cinnamon, can expose you to more of a compound called coumarin, which in excess is linked to liver strain and is not advised in pregnancy. Cinnamon can also affect blood sugar and has mild blood‑thinning effects, so those with gestational diabetes, bleeding disorders, liver disease, or on blood‑thinning or diabetes medications should be particularly cautious and seek medical advice before using it.
Type of cinnamon and dose
Ceylon cinnamon is usually preferred in pregnancy because it has much lower coumarin levels than Cassia cinnamon. A common recommendation is to keep total cinnamon intake at or below about 1 teaspoon (around 2–4 grams) per day from all sources and to avoid concentrated forms like supplements or essential oils unless specifically prescribed.
Practical tips
- Use a weak tea (for example, one small Ceylon cinnamon stick briefly steeped, not long‑boiled or multiple sticks).
- Limit to about one cup per day and not every single day if you also eat other cinnamon‑rich foods.
- Stop and contact a clinician if you notice allergy symptoms, heartburn that worsens, or any unusual bleeding or bruising.
