Have you ever wondered what is so popular about raspberry leaf tea? Why is it widely used in women's remedies? What does it do to make midwives recommend it all the time? Today we will answer some of your questions.
Rubus idaeus, commonly known as red raspberry, is berries natively found in mountainous and rocky regions of Europe, America, and some parts of Asia. It is famous for its delicious and nutritious berries [1]. The leaves of raspberries used to go wasted, but as interests grew, more scientific research has been conducted to explore their nutritional value and therapeutic use [11].
Leaves of raspberries have been used as complementary medicine for centuries. In the 16th century, the medicinal use of raspberry leaf tea was introduced. It has been used to treat general health problems like mild diarrhea, gastric and abdominal issues, minor infections, and ulcers. Proven in some studies, raspberry leaf has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, and antioxidative properties, which makes it an excellent choice for natural herbal therapy [11].
What is Red Raspberry Leaf Tea?
Dried leaves of raspberry are utilized to make herbal tea. Delicate hairs are present on the surface of the raspberry leaf, which characterizes it by giving it a silver lining.
Raspberry leaves have been commonly used in women of childbearing age to assist in menstruation, pregnancy, labor, and childbirth [2]. That is why it is also known as the women's herb. In recent years, we can see raspberry leaves in teas or capsules that are easy and convenient for modern society. Women who prefer natural therapy drink this tea to support their gynecological conditions and reproductive health.
Flavor of Tea
Unlike the taste of red raspberries, tea of this herb has a similar taste too fruity black tea, characterized by its fruity and sharp taste. It gives a good taste of flavor identical to hibiscus tea, and it is sweeter in flavor than chamomile tea [1].
Nutritional Value of Raspberry Leaf
The presence of multivitamins and minerals in raspberry leaf tea enhances its medicinal properties. It has vitamins A, B, C, and E; it is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and iron.
Raspberry leaf tea contains zero calories and possesses ellagic acids, which may help fight against cancer cells [5]. The phytochemicals like phenolic compounds that are abundant in raspberry leaf give rise to its antioxidative activity [11]. In other words, a raspberry leaf tea is packed with many goodies.
General Health Benefits
The leaves of red raspberries have been traditionally used to help reduce inflammation in the mouth and throat, treating conditions like tonsillitis and mouth ulcers. It is an astringent agent used in bleeding gums, wounds, and some chronic skin conditions [12].
It balances sugar levels in the body, which makes it beneficial for people with diabetes or anyone who has a sweet tooth, especially with the diet we adopt in the modern days. It is also frequently used to treat GI tract problems like mild diarrhea and bloating [4, 11].
RASPBERRY LEAF AS A WOMEN'S HERB
Raspberry leaf tea is believed to be beneficial for women's reproductive systems. The alkaloid fragrance and tannins in the raspberry leaf make it an excellent uterine tonic. It strengthens the uterine muscles and pelvic area of women [10,12]. Due to this reason, it is widely used by midwives who recommend natural herbal medicines.
Does raspberry leaf tea Relieve Menstrual Cramps?
Traditionally, Raspberry leaf tea was used to treat painful cramps during the menstrual cycle. It has been reported to positively affect other premenstrual symptoms, such as relieving diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and spasm [4].
Planta Medica, a peer-reviewed medical journal, has published a study highlighting raspberry tea as a pain reliever during periods and a tonic to help reduce the urge to urinate [8]. Iron in the raspberry leaf tea also helps those who experience heavy bleeding during their cycle.
Does Raspberry Leaf Support the Reproductive System?
Having a strong and healthy uterus is very important for women trying to conceive. Raspberry leaf tea can be very beneficial as an excellent uterine-strengthening tonic. Having balanced sugar levels and sex hormones increases the possibility of conceiving successfully with fewer complications like gestational diabetes. It is believed that raspberry leaf tea can aid in balancing progesterone levels in females due to its constituent, Phyto-progesterone. This is particularly helpful in the luteal cycle phase when progesterone is the main hormone that supports embryo implantation and helps sustain a healthy pregnancy.
In addition to its highly nutritious value, raspberry leaf tea's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also play essential roles in boosting fertility. On top of that, it is believed that using raspberry leaf tea may also reduce the risk of miscarriage after conception [2].
Does it Shorten Labor and Reduce Childbirth Risk?
Raspberry leaf tea potentially improves blood supply towards uterine muscles to make the contractions more controlled and organized. Several studies have been published regarding raspberry leaf tea for labor and childbirth.
It is usually used starting from 32 weeks of pregnancy, strengthening the uterine and pelvic muscles to make the delivery easier. Some women have found that the tea has helped reduce the duration of labor, eased the pain, and lowered the chances of needing medical interventions such as C-sections or the use of forceps [4, 10].
Side Effects
Consumption of raspberry leaf tea in a recommended amount is perfectly safe; however, it is good to be aware of the possible adverse effects.
The laxative effect of raspberry leaf tea may upset the gastrointestinal tract and cause upset gut, diarrhea, and vomiting if consumed in large quantities. Though it can be beneficial use, cautions should be exercised around the change in blood pressure [10]
Intake of raspberry leaf tea in complicated pregnancy may cause Braxton Hicks contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage in complex cases. [7]. Therefore, it is always wise to consult your health professional before taking it, especially if you have a difficult pregnancy.
REFERENCES
- Rash R. Raspberries. Appalachian Heritage. 2006;34(3):89-89.
- Bowman R, Taylor J, Muggleton S, Davis D. Biophysical effects, safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf use in pregnancy: a systematic integrative review. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2021;21(1). https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-021-03230-4
- Simpson M, Parsons M, Greenwood J, Wade K. RASPBERRY LEAF IN PREGNANCY: ITS SAFETY AND EFFICACY IN LABOR. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health. 2001;46(2):51-59. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11370690/
- Ferlemi A, Lamari F. Berry Leaves: An Alternative Source of Bioactive Natural Products of Nutritional and Medicinal Value. Antioxidants. 2016;5(2):17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4931538/
- Lee B, Shin H, Jung J, Hwang K, Lee Y, Kim T. Anthocyanins, Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activities of Black Raspberry Exudates. Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition. 2009;38(2):125-130. https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO200906261461503.page
- Caballero B, Trugo L, Finglas P. Encyclopedia of food sciences and nutrition. Amsterdam: Academic; 2003.
- Frankel D. Beware raspberries!. The Lancet. 1996;348(9019):48.
- Gruber C, O'Brien M. Uterotonic Plants and their Bioactive Constituents. Planta Medica. 2010;77(03):207-220. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407953/
- Romm A, Hardy M, Mills S. Botanical medicine for women's health.
- Parsons M, Simpson M, Ponton T. Raspberry leaf and its effect on labour: Safety and efficacy. Australian College of Midwives Incorporated Journal. 1999;12(3):20-25. https://sci-hub.mksa.top/10.1016/s1031-170x(99)80008-7
- Luo T, Chen S, Zhang H, Jia S, Wang J. Phytochemical composition and potential biological activities assessment of raspberry leaf extracts from nine different raspberry species and raspberry leaf tea. Journal of Berry Research. 2020;10(2):295-309.https://sci-hub.mksa.top/10.3233/jbr-190474
- Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) European Medicines Agency; London, UK: 2012. Assessment Report on Rubus idaeus L., Folium. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-rubus-idaeus-l-folium_en.pdf