How to Use Red Raspberry Leaf and Make Your Own Tea
Red raspberry leaf tea is made from the leaf of the plant and not the fruit itself. It packs a powerful nutritional punch with its high antioxidant content and can be used for several different health ailments.
Among its many traditional uses, it is used to increase fertility, induce and shorten labor and during pregnancy. Read on to find out more information about its many health benefits and how to easily prepare a healthy and natural red raspberry leaf tea.
Red Raspberry Leaf and its Health Benefits
Tannins found in red raspberry leaf give it astringent properties for a soothing effect that can be used both internally and externally.
You can apply raspberry leaf tea (or extract) topically to soothe skin rashes, sunburn, and eczema. Because of its antiseptic properties, it can be used topically on skin wounds to prevent infections and speed up the healing process.
You can also use it to alleviate the symptoms of gingivitis or gum disease by swishing it around in your mouth.
Here are other health benefits of red raspberry leaf:
Red Raspberry Leaf for Fertility, Pregnancy, Labor and Women’s Health
Red raspberry leaf tea is a well documented enhancer of women’s health in traditional medicine.
It was used traditionally to increase fertility, reduce the strength of contractions, increase milk production in lactating women, alleviate morning sickness, and reduce PMS symptoms such as depression, cramping and irritability.
It is also used internally to help alleviate menstrual troubles and heavy bleeding as well as a natural treatment for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, and night sweats.
Red Raspberry Leaf During Pregnancy
A research published in the Australian College of Midwives Incorporated Journal found that red raspberry leaf was safe for consumption by pregnant women. It was also found to shorten the length of labor with no side effects to the mother or child. (1)
The study stated that consuming red raspberry leaf may also decrease the risk of pre and post term gestation. Lastly, the study indicated that women who took red raspberry leaf were less likely to experience an artificial membrane rupture. They were also less likely to need a cesarean section or a vacuum birth. (1)
Red Raspberry Leaf Benefits for Labor
A study published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health indicated that when consumed in tablet form, raspberry leaf produced no side effects to the mother or baby. This study also stated that red raspberry helps shorten the duration of labor and lowered the rate of forceps deliveries. (2)
The women who participated in the study consumed raspberry leaf tablets (2 × 1.2 g per day) from 32 weeks’ gestation until labor.
Red Raspberry Leaf is a Powerful Antioxidant
According to a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, raspberry leaves have a higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity than thorn-less blackberries, strawberries and blackberries (3), meaning that red raspberries leaves contain a large amount of compounds that protect against cell membrane and DNA damage.
Because of its high antioxidant content, red raspberry leaves may also be able to protect against cancer, according to a 2012 study. (4)
Further reading – Another type of tea that you may want to consume is matcha tea which is sometimes called a miraculous Japanese drink as it burns fat 4X faster, fight cancer, detox & much more. You can read about it in my article about the health benefits of matcha tea.
Red Raspberry Leaf for Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract Disorders
A research published in 2002 tested some of the common folk remedies for red raspberry leaf and found that it contains relaxant activities that can help promote gastrointestinal relief of diarrhea and colic pain. (5)
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, astringent herbs, such as red raspberry leaf, help to treat diarrhea. It is recommended to make a tea with one teaspoon per cup and drink 1/2 cup per hour.
If you suffer from digestive problems you can also use these 8 natural remedies.
Red Raspberry Leaf – Nutritional Value
Red raspberry leaf contains vitamin C, flavonoids and tannins that give it great potential for healing many health ailments. (6)
It is also high in fiber, copper, manganese, vitamins E and K, potassium, folate, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), biotin, and omega 3 fatty acids.
How to Prepare Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
To prepare a cup of red raspberry leaf tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of raspberry leaf. Cover it and steep for at least 5 minutes. Enjoy as regular tea.
You can also make cold raspberry leaf tea for hot days or when you want a quick health boost. To make one gallon (around 3.7 liter), add ¾ to 1 cup of raspberry leaf to a gallon of boiling water. This will need to steep before being poured into a glass jar. You can cover it with a plate and let it steep overnight for a stronger tea, and store it in the refrigerator for future use.
You can purchase raspberry leaf tea bags at your local health store or online. Make sure that the product that you buy is organic (like this one or like this one).
Red Raspberry Leaf – Precautions and How Much to Consume
Although red raspberry leaf tea is likely safe for consumption, there is not enough research to show its safety levels during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
It is usually recommended to limit consumption to 1 cup of tea a day during the first trimester of pregnancy and increase the intake later in pregnancy to up to 4 cups a day. But it should always be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider as some sources claim that it may increase the risk of a miscarriage. Also be sure to tell your doctor if you are planning on using it while breastfeeding.
Some conditions that are hormone sensitive may be sensitive to red raspberry as it acts like estrogen. If you have one of the following conditions, it is strongly advised that you do not use red raspberry leaf:
- Uterine cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Breast caner
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
Read these related articles:
1. Chamomile Tea Benefits and How to Use It for Great Health
2. Miraculous Japanese Drink to Burn fat 4X faster, Fight Cancer, Detox & Much More
3. The Amazing Benefits of Oolong Tea & How to Use it