When you think about consuming parts of a raspberry plant, naturally you think of the raspberries themselves – but the leaves are just as nutritious and have great medicinal value. An alkaloid called fragrine that’s found in high concentration within these leaves tones the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus. It’s an excellent tonic to prepare a woman for childbirth, and can be enjoyed while pregnant as well as while trying to conceive or for general reproductive health.
Red raspberry leaves are most often prepared as an infusion or tea. You can find it in health food stores on its own or mixed with other beneficial herbs such as dandelion and nettle. Red raspberry leaves contain significant amounts of calcium, vitamins C, A and E as well as the entire B-complex, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc and chromium.
Famed herbalist Susun Weed recommends red raspberry leaf not just to strengthen the uterus and pelvic wall, but for its many beneficial effects, which include increased fertility, miscarriage and hemorrhage prevention, easing morning sickness, reducing pain during and after labor and birth, helping the uterus return more quickly to its pre-pregnancy size after birth and assisting in the production of plentiful breastmilk. Contrary to some misinformation found occasionally on the web, red raspberry leaf is not oxytocic or an emmenagogue – it will not start labor or promote contractions.
Red raspberry leaves are also beneficial for women of all ages, not just of childbearing age. They’re used to treat upper respiratory disorders, sore throats, wounds, colic pain and gastrointestinal upset. They’re rich in tannins, which have an astringent affect, reducing inflammation.
Drinking red raspberry leaf is widely considered to be acceptable during pregnancy by herbalists, naturopaths and midwives, but of course you should consult your medical professional before use. The general consensus is to use it during the second and third trimesters only just to be safe, since some midwives claim that it can cause spotting in the first trimester – follow the recommendation of your health care provider.
Just keep in mind that many ob-gyns aren’t trained in the use of herbs and are highly skeptical of their benefits. If you’re interested in using herbal medicine during pregnancy, you may want to seek out a practitioner who has some experience with herbalism.
So here’s what I always wonder when I read about women’s reproductive herbal medicines….are there any that are both beneficial to your cycle’s wellbeing WITHOUT promoting pregnancy? It’s frustrating that taking an herb to balance your monthly cycle (I really like Yogi Tea’s Women’s Moon Tea) is also making you more susceptible to pregnancy. I would like to be healthy but am not interested in having a child anytime soon, and I’m sure there are lots of women in my boat.
06/02/08 » 8:46 pm »
I think many herbs that promote reproductive health also aid in conceiving because by nature, optimum health of the reproductive system results in high function – as nature/biology intends. Most of the herbs that I know of that are good for PMS symptoms are also fertility promoters (though Dong Quai, for instance, is only recommended to be taken from menstruation to ovulation for those trying to conceive since it can impede implantation, so that’s a good one). Let me look into it and get back to you
06/03/08 » 5:47 am »
Oh my goodness -red raspberry leaf tea is AMAZING!!! I drank prob 3 cups in my 2nd and 3rd trimesters…then the last month I drank a gallon a day…I had a wonderful pregnancy and an incredible birth….I completely think that a good part of it was the tea (as well as staying incredibly active up to the birth and being physically/mentally prepared and focused/relaxed and educated)…but really the tea tastes wonderful and I really think it helped tons w/ the pregnancy and birth! Oh and I hardly bled at all – very little – and the tea helps w/ that as well.
06/03/08 » 7:14 am »
Dare I ask for the scientific evidence?
06/08/08 » 5:50 pm »
Yes, I highly recommend this tea during pregnancy. I drank it like water throughout my pregnancy, and had a totally problem-free pregnancy, healthy and natural birth, and a speedy recovery. I also had an enormously abundant supply of breastmilk. I can’t say enough good things about this herb, other than it also tastes pretty good.
06/17/08 » 10:54 pm »
I have a son and i’m trying to concive again after 13 years im 36 will drinking red raspberry help.
09/02/08 » 8:06 am »
hello, where can i buy that i would like to try.
is it available in malls or iin watsons?
03/20/09 » 10:41 pm »
where can i buy this tea? I am well into my third trimester and cannnot find it anywhere.
06/08/10 » 5:25 pm »