Can bitter kola stop vomiting during pregnancy? We have found no good research in pregnant women that shows it does. Its safety in pregnancy has not been established either. Please talk to your doctor or midwife before you eat bitter kola while pregnant.
Why people ask
Bitter kola is part of daily life in many Nigerian homes. It is offered to guests, chewed and used in cooking, so it is natural to wonder whether it can help with morning sickness. Family advice is often passed down with love. It is still not the same as evidence.
What the research says
- A 2023 review in Phytochemistry Reviews (Tauchen and colleagues) found that the effects of Garcinia kola reported so far have been seen only in animal models, and that human clinical trials are needed. Read the review.
- A 2022 review in Advances in Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Dogara and colleagues) says its safety and efficacy “have not been wholly assessed in humans.”
That is why we do not recommend bitter kola for nausea, in pregnancy or at any other time. We sell it as a food and make no health claims.
What to do about vomiting in pregnancy
Tell your doctor or midwife. They can look at your situation and give you options that are known to be safe for you and your baby.
If you cannot keep food or water down, contact your doctor or midwife straight away.
Can a pregnant woman eat bitter kola at all?
That is a question for your doctor or midwife. Bring the nut or the pouch to your appointment so they can see exactly what it is.
Questions people ask
Is bitter kola safe during pregnancy? Its safety in pregnancy has not been established. Ask your doctor or midwife first.
Does bitter kola stop morning sickness? We have found no good human research that shows it does.
Can I eat bitter kola while breastfeeding? Ask your doctor or midwife first.
Is bitter kola the same as kola nut? No. They come from different trees. Read bitter kola vs kola nut.
Learn more about bitter kola
Read what is bitter kola for its names, taste and everyday uses. Our whole bitter kola nuts and bitter kola powder ship across the US from New Jersey.
Part of the profit funds our nonprofit organization, Save All Africa Kids (saak.org).