Many people drink herbal tea for health purposes or relaxation, but experts warn that certain types of tea may pose a risk when consumed before surgery, due to their effect on blood clotting or blood pressure, or their interaction with anesthetic medications.
Doctors emphasize the need to inform the surgeon and the anesthesiologist about all medicinal plants and herbal beverages that the patient consumes, as they may be asked to stop using them weeks before the surgery, in order to reduce possible complications.
According to a health report published on the website VeryWellHealth, it is better to avoid these types of herbal tea before surgery:
Ginseng tea
Ginseng may affect blood platelets and blood sugar levels, and increase the risk of bleeding or low blood sugar levels during fasting before surgery.
Ginger tea
Despite its reputation for relieving nausea, ginger may delay blood clotting, which increases the risk of bleeding before surgery.
Ginkgo biloba tea
It is used to improve memory and blood flow, but it may interact with blood thinners and increase the likelihood of bleeding.
Turmeric tea
It has anti-inflammatory properties, but it may affect the metabolic pathways of drugs inside the liver, including anesthetic medications.
Kava tea
It is known for its calming effect, but it may interfere with anesthetic agents and sedative medications used during surgeries.
St. John’s wort tea (golden plant)
This is a plant known for extensive interactions with medications, and it may affect the effectiveness of anesthetic medications or blood thinners.
Licorice tea
Prolonged use of it may raise blood pressure and lower potassium levels, which poses a risk during surgery.
Ma huang tea (ephedra)
It is associated with serious complications in the heart and with blood pressure, and its use has been banned in several countries, but it still exists in some herbal mixtures.
Yerba mate tea
It contains caffeine, and may affect heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, sudden cessation of its use may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Valerian tea
It is used as a sedative and hypnotic drug, and may interfere with anesthetic medications. Sudden cessation of it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
What about tea that is not herbal?
Black, green and white tea contain caffeine and are generally considered safe before surgery, but it is better to gradually reduce the amounts in order to avoid headaches resulting from sudden cessation.
In conclusion, while herbal tea is part of a healthy lifestyle for many, certain types may carry unexpected risks before surgery. Doctors always recommend not consuming medicinal plants with questionable effects and recommend discussing any herbal beverages with the medical team to ensure the safety of the surgical procedure.