Herbal Allies in Pregnancy: Red Raspberry Leaf
You may have seen Red Raspberry Leaf as an ingredient in commercial herbal tea blends or heard of it as a wonderful herbal medicine for pregnancy and childbirth. Used safely for hundreds of years, Rubus idaeus/ R. strigosus is one of the oldest herbs traditionally used during the childbearing year.
But why? What makes it such a wonderful addition to your diet during pregnancy, or for any women?
Red Raspberry leaf is rich in vitamins and minerals including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins B, C, and E, imparting nutrition to a mama’s hardworking body.
It contains the alkaloid fragrine which actually helps tone and strengthen the uterus and pelvic muscles.
It is a safe, nourishing tonic herb: it serves increase strength and elasticity of the womb, the birth canal and surrounding tissues in the pelvic region.
Tonic action is due in part to its astringent properties, which make it valuable in the case of excessive menstruation, vaginal discharge and reducing fevers. It can also be helpful in regenerating pelvic tone after a surgery miscarriage, or termination.
It also works as a uterine regulator and can be valuable in helping clear afterbirth from the womb, help tone a postpartum uterus and increase the flow of breastmilk!
It can help the uterus and pelvic muscles work more efficiently in labour without strengthening or intensifying contractions. It has been found to help regulate rhythm/regularity of contractions. It can also help speed recovery by nourishing and tonifying these tissues.
It can help ease morning sickness
Any mild concerns around the use of Raspberry in pregnancy are due to its gently stimulating effect on the pelvis, and if this is a concern, one can take very light doses, or begin taking it in the third trimester.
It is safe for children and can be helpful for fevers and chills. Also safe and nourishing for men!
Use the leaves fresh or dried and make a tea with very hot water, let steep for 15 minutes and enjoy hot or warm. 1-2 cups, 2-3x daily.
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Weed, Susun S. (1986). Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year. Woodstock. Ash Tree.
Gladstar, Rosemary (1993). Herbal Healing for Women. New York, NY. Fireside.
Trickey, Ruth (1998). Women, Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle. St. Leonards, NSW, Australia. Allen & Unwin.
http://www.christopherhobbs.com/database/?details&type=herbs&name=Raspberry
The image is from Hayne's Getreue Darstellung und Beschreibung der in der Arzneykunde gebräuchlichen Gewächse, Dritter Band, 1813.
