Red Raspberry Leaf–Benefits and Usages

Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus)

The well-known herb, red raspberry leaf comes from the leaves of the common raspberry plant, rubus idaeus. It has been super prominent in my life recently, so I thought I would share my experiences and knowledge of this plant with you. From the ever-bearing plants hanging with abundant fruit that make delicious jams, cobblers, and smoothies to the tea leaf infusions to help regulate my body as it transitions into motherhood and prepares for labor, this plant never ceases to amaze me.

Red Raspberry leaf is an effective herbal medicine, especially for women. It is cultivated and grows wild in temperate climates throughout Europe and North America. This plant is very common and many of us know it for its delicious red berries, but the leaves also contain many powerful medicinal benefits, especially for the female reproductive system. This tonic herb is mild tasting and has been known to help balance hormones, deal with excess PMS symptoms, and improve the health of conception, pregnancy, and labor as it has a particular affinity to the uterus and female reproductive system. The fruit is well known as a tasty berry, flowering in early summer time and consumed fresh or processed into cordials, jams, or preserves. It is also very high in antioxidants. In folk medicine, raspberry flowers have been used for hemorrhoids and pimples. malaria, and a poultice for inflammatory conditions of the eye.

The Textbook of Natural Medicine states- “Used since the sixth century, the raspberry leaf plant is the best known and oldest of all the herb infusions and [is] included as a proved aid in maternity in the most ancient of herbal books”.

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Benefits of Raspberry Leaf Tea

Family: Rosaceae

Part of plant used: Leaves and Fruit

Constituents: Flavonoids (mainly glycosides kaempferol/ quercetin), tannins, fruit sugar, pectin, citric acid, malic acid

• Women Health

  Used during pregnancy to strengthen and tone the tissue of the womb, assists/ strengthens contractions checks hemorrhage during labor, and helps stop excessive leucorrhoea. It is known as a uterine tonic, with a strengthening, toning, and nourishing effect on the tissue/ function of female reproductive organs. Helps to reduce pain from contractions during labor. Helps ease childbirth, improve milk production, and speed recovery postpartum.

• Oral Support

  Helps with issues of the mouth such as mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, inflammations, and sore throats

• Nutritional Aid

  Rich in iron and calcium, potassium, vitamins A, C, and E, and antioxidants. Anti-inflammatory due to the high amounts of ellagic acid.

• Digestive Support

  Ease bloating due to water retention due to being a diuretic. Helps to ease mild nausea and diarrhea

• Tonifying

  Tones mucus membranes throughout the body, soothes the urinary tract and kidneys,

Interactions/Safety

There are not many known interactions with other herbs/ dietary supplements but there are a few things to take into account.

“Raspberry roots and leaves may be a mild diuretic, and increase the flow of urine. Patients taking herbs and supplements that increase the flow of urine should use raspberry with caution. Raspberry may also have laxative properties, and care should be taken with other herbs and supplements with these effects, such as psyllium.”

• Certain extracts of raspberry leaves may relax muscles. Use caution when taking other herbs/ supplements that may have sedative, relaxing, or antispasmotic effects.

• No drug interactions have been researched and reported.

• No side effects known- please consult a well-versed healthcare practitioner if you want to take his herb while pregnant.

Contraindications

• Use of red raspberry leaf in complicated pregnancies (e.g. Hypertension )

• History of c-section/ undergoing planned cesarean for medical reasons.

• Women undergoing induction of labor.

• Women with a history of miscarriage/ premature labor.

• Women having vaginal bleeding during 3rd trimester.

• Women with a history of endometriosis, fibroids, breast or ovarian cancer.

Dosage

As with the dosage of all herbs- dosing varies according to constitution, weight, and age.

• Infusion- use boiling water onto dried herb, let sit 10-15 minutes; one cup over 2tsp. drink freely

• Tincture- 2-4 ml three times a day (1:5) in 40%)

*Disclaimer- *These statements/products are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease, please check in with a well-versed healthcare practitioner to see if these herbal choices are right for you. Substances mentioned above may be associated with mild side effects depending upon your constitution, so like with any herbs use with caution and make responsible choices. First and foremost listen to your body and your doctor or midwife.

Sources

• Pizzorno JE, Murray MT. Textbook of Natural Medicine. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone; 2013.

• Hoffman, David. Medical Herbalism, The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press, Vermont. 2003.

• https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/herbal-tea/

• www.naturalstandards.com

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