Quick answer

NCCIH says little is known about whether chamomile is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. A 2025 systematic review of 23 studies in 2,065 women found the evidence too weak to write clinical recommendations, and a second review of adverse events found too little data on pregnancy. Ask your doctor before using chamomile products.^1,2,3

Key facts

NCCIH says little is known about whether chamomile is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.¹
A 2025 systematic review of 23 studies in 2,065 women said clinical practice recommendations on chamomile in pregnancy are not feasible from the available evidence.²
A 2025 systematic review of adverse events in 72 trials and 11 case reports found insufficient data on safety during pregnancy and lactation.³
NCCIH says chamomile might have some of the same effects as estrogen and might worsen any condition sensitive to estrogen.¹
None of the sources we read reports on chamomile and uterine contractions, or splits its findings by trimester.^1,2

What does NCCIH say about chamomile in pregnancy?

NCCIH's page on chamomile makes two points that matter here. The first is blunt: little is known about whether it is safe to use chamomile during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The second is a reason for unease that applies to anyone, pregnant or not. NCCIH says chamomile might have some of the same effects as estrogen, and it might worsen any condition that is sensitive to exposure to estrogen, such as breast or uterine cancer.¹

NCCIH also uses more favorable wording elsewhere, for example for the amounts found in teas and foods. That wording is about people in general, and the pregnancy line stands apart from it.¹

What have systematic reviews found?

Two 2025 reviews give the clearest picture. The first, a systematic review of chamomile products in pregnancy and the postpartum period, included 23 studies, 16 of them clinical trials and 7 observational, with 2,065 women from nine countries. Its authors concluded that developing clinical practice recommendations was not feasible from the available evidence, and called for larger randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with consistent products and amounts.²

The authors noted that some studies reported clinically meaningful findings that were not statistically significant, and that several studies came from the same research teams, probably reflecting the same cohorts of women. They added that a provider could still discuss the potential benefits and risks with patients who use or wish to use chamomile.²

The second review looked only at harms. It covered 72 trials, with 2,896 participants given chamomile, and 11 case reports, and it concluded that there is insufficient data on safety during pregnancy and lactation.³

What about tea, trimesters and contractions?

Many people ask about chamomile tea, about the second or third trimester, or about contractions. The sources we read do not answer those questions separately. They cover chamomile products in general, they do not break results down by trimester, and the summaries we read do not report on uterine contractions as an outcome.^2,3

That is a gap, not a finding. These sources say the evidence is thin, and they stop there.

Is there an allergy risk to know about?

Yes, and it is not specific to pregnancy. NCCIH and NIH's lactation database both describe allergic reactions to chamomile, including severe ones, and say they are more likely in people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies.^1,4

Who should ask a doctor about chamomile in pregnancy?

Ask your doctor or midwife before using chamomile products if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or unsure whether you might be. That includes a daily cup of tea, since the sources do not draw a line between a tea and a supplement.

Mention any allergy to ragweed or related plants.
Mention any condition that is sensitive to estrogen, because NCCIH raises that concern.¹
Mention warfarin or any blood thinner, which NCCIH lists among reported chamomile interactions.¹
Bring the label of any tea blend, since other herbs in it may raise their own questions.

Questions people ask

Is chamomile safe during pregnancy in the first trimester?

None of the sources split their findings by trimester. NCCIH says little is known about chamomile in pregnancy, and a 2025 review found the evidence too weak for recommendations. Ask your doctor.^1,2

Is chamomile safe during pregnancy in the third trimester?

The sources do not answer for the third trimester specifically, and the summaries we read do not report on contractions. Ask your doctor or midwife.^2,3

Is chamomile tea safe during pregnancy?

NCCIH uses its more favorable wording for tea amounts in people generally, but says little is known about chamomile in pregnancy. A 2025 review found the evidence too weak for recommendations. Ask your doctor.^1,2

Does chamomile tea cause contractions?

None of the sources we read report on chamomile and contractions, which is not a finding either way. Ask your doctor or midwife if you have concerns.²

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Sources

This page is information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.