Herbal Teas in Pregnancy: NORA

In this article, I am going to discuss NORA tea.

Most pregnant women have only really heard about Red Raspberry Leaf tea during pregnancy.

But if you are here – you are probably looking for a little bit more than the misunderstood hyped-up labour-inducing juice Red Raspberry Leaf Tea has been made out to be.

Another, less heard of pregnancy tonic that has been said to have many benefits for moms-to-be on the pregnancy journey.

*If you are wondering about RRL Tea, I have an Podcast here that goes over it all. This article is Part 1 of a series I am doing on Herbal Teas in Pregnancy.

This article goes over what is NORA tea, why someone drinks it, when they drink it, and how.

Nora Tea – the basics:

Nora Tea is actually a blend of four herbal teas that are said to benefit a preganant woman as she grows, births and nourishes her newborn.

This tea has been called a “Nourishing Tea for pregnant and Lactating Women in their childbearing years” and was traditionally recommended by midwives.

The benefits of this tea come from the different ingredients that are packed with various nutrients that are best thought to support a mom on her journey.

Herbs are thought to be nutrient-dense, containing high amounts of vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed by the body.

The Benefits of NORA Tea:

NORA Tea is a traditional blend of herbs that have nutrients that are specifically able to help a woman on her pregnancy journey.

These nutrients are meant to:

  • Supercharges your immune system.
  • Decreases feelings of stress.
  • Lower blood pressure.
  • Alleviate haemorrhoids and varicose veins.
  • Prevent PROM (Premature Rupture of Membranes – stop your waters from breaking before they are supposed to).
  • Reduces blood loss.
  • Help fight off anaemia.
  • Maximise the health of the liver.
  • Tone the uterus.
  • Help with better sleep.
  • Assist with breastfeeding and healing postpartum.

What a wonderful thought that drinking an herbal blend during pregnancy can help with so many things!

Especially considering how difficult a pregnancy can be on a mom’s body, having help in these specific areas can mean the difference between a miserable time and that joyous glowing pregnancy that most women imagine.

So let’s get into the details and see why it’s said to do all this and more.

*I have done my best to find studies to back up the claims being made and to link to the studies to make sure that all moms can read the evidence and make their own informed decisions. However I am not a medical professional, and nothing on this website is intended to be medical advice. Please seek advice on your case from your unique healthcare provider.

So what are the four teas inside NORA?

  • N – Nettles
  • O – Oatstraw
  • R – Red Raspberry Leaf
  • A – Alfalfa

What do each of these do?

Nettles

  • Rich in micronutrients – Carotene, Vitamin A, C, E, F, K Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Copper, Zinc, Chlorophyll, and Potassium. It has more protein than any other plant.
  • Helps to prevent haemorrhoids and varicose veins.
  • Helps to maintain normal blood pressure.
  • Anti-inflammatory.
  • Promotes milk production.
  • The diuretic effect promotes detoxification and works to prevent bladder infections.
  • Strengthens kidneys and adrenal glands.
  • Helps you relax and reduces anxiety.

Oat straw

  • Rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron
  • Improves circulation.
  • Alleviates varicose veins and haemorrhoids.
  • Reduces blood pressure.
  • Improves sleep and relaxation.
  • Combats stress
  • Strengthens the nervous system
  • Strengthens the thyroid and balances hormone production.
  • Soothes the digestive system while feeding good bacteria in the gut.
  • Lowers blood sugar
  • Helps with fluid retention

Red Raspberry Leaf

  • Contains Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, and antioxidants
  • Tones and strengthens the uterus
  • Soothes your kidneys and urinary tract
  • Stabilizes the digestive tract
  • Lowers the risk of Postpartum haemorrhage
  • Studies have shown that it can reduce the length of labour.
  • Reduces the risks of artificial rupture of membranes, cesarean section, forceps / vacuum-assisted delivery.

Alfalfa

  • Nourishing and restoring
  • Vitamin K, iron, chlorophyll, Vit A, B-6, E, D, Beta Carotene, Biotin, Folic acid, pantothenic acid, fatty acids, calcium, Magnesium, Silicon, Sodium, Potassium
  • Supports healthy circulation and proper blood clotting.
  • Balances blood sugar levels
  • Soothes the digestive tract

When to Drink NORA

Some midwives recommend starting as early as 16 weeks – most agree that waiting until the end of the first trimester is best (due to its stimulating the uterus), but most people recommend waiting until 20 weeks to start.

Your regular providers will probably advise that you don’t drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea until late in your third trimester. If they do, ask them for the studies to back this up – and then also seek the help of a professional herbalist to work on your unique case. (especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy or are at risk for preterm labour. working with the right professionals make the most impact)


It does stimulate your uterus – you can feel more Braxton hicks – some moms are more sensitive, so you start slow and see how you do.

It is recommended that you start with 1 cup a day and build up to up to 3 cups a day. Working up to about 1 litre a day if you can.

Drink it throughout the day to absorb everything over time – your body can only process so much at once. So a cup here and there throughout your day is way more beneficial than chugging down a litre all at once.

Herbal remedies take time to work

Which is why it is recommended you start earlier with this blend. You need to give your body time to stock up on all the nutrients and reap the full benefits.

Also, don’t expect to drink it for a few days and suddenly have all your ailments disappear, real bodywork is about small consistent habits over a longer time.

And then don’t quit it the moment give birth. It is full of value for your postpartum journey as well because of all the nutrients still supporting you in your healing, nurturing you while you recover, assisting with breastfeeding, replenishing your blood stores, maintaining your nervous systems and all the wonderful benefits above.

Make NORA yourself

Ingredients

  • 2 Parts Nettle Loose leaf herb
  • 2 Parts Oatstraw loose leaf herb
  • 2 parts Red Raspberry Leaf
  • 2 Parts Alfalfa

Method

Mix all the herbs and store them in a jar or sealed paper bag out of direct sunlight.

Recommended to steep the leaves for longer than your regular cup of tea. Many suggest steeping it overnight to get the full benefits. Essentially you would like to let it steep for 4-8 hours.

Strain and then drink warm or cold depending on what you prefer.

You can add ice for an iced tea vibe

For taste

You can add anything to help if you need to, here are some suggestions:

  • Honey, molasses, maple syrup
  • mix with fruit juice
  • add a squeeze of lemon or lime
  • dilute with water

Here is a step-by-step guide on steeping your herbs if you wish for more details.

References

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S1 E4: Empowering Pregnant Moms: The Science Behind Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Empowering Pregnant Moms: The Science Behind Red Raspberry Leaf Tea https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wjo8jumWPEjx5xcnmDDcy?si=4025f89ae5694218 Episode …