While hibiscus tea offers plenty of health benefits, it’s usually not recommended if you’re pregnant or lactating. Although studies pointing to potential risks during pregnancy were conducted in animals, according to a 2013 review, the findings are concerning enough to strongly discourage its consumption in human pregnancy as well. Specifically, two risks that often come up — based on animal studies, mind you — are delayed puberty and miscarriage. But if you’re pregnant, you don’t necessarily want your hormones messed with. Known as the emmenagogue effect, hibiscus tea and extracts can encourage blood flow to the uterus to help stimulate menstruation. As tempting as it might be to down a cup of hibiscus tea to help speed up the onset of labor, it’s safest to completely avoid hibiscus throughout your pregnancy — including the third trimester and once you’ve reached full term. So, for peace of mind, it might be best to avoid herbal tea blends that don’t clearly list all of the included ingredients. Hibiscus tea is one of many teas that hasn’t been well studied for use in pregnancy. So, in the absence of conclusive evidence showing whether or not it’s safe to consume it, it’s best to skip the hibiscus tea until you deliver your little bundle of joy.