Raspberry Leaf
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Rubus idaeus
Energetics : Cooling, slightly drying, and slightly constricting
Herbal Properties : Antacid, antinauseous, antidiarrheal, uterine tonic
Raspberry Leaf is very commonly used in pregnancy and postpartum to ease nausea, prepare the uterus for labor, and support milk production. Some even say it can shorten the length of labor. While the evidence is lacking, many moms swear by it! (And Red Raspberry leaf does contain ‘fragrine’ which is known to aid in toning and tightening muscles in the pelvic area.) (Sources 3, 4, 5, 6).
This herb is commonly found in prenatal, postnatal, and women’s health tea blends, likely due to how rich it is in Vitamins A, B, C, and E, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, & Potassium (Source 1).
Regardless of what stage of life you are in, this is an incredible plant for anyone’s health! It is also packed with antioxidants, shows anti-inflammatory properties, and can help to lower blood sugar levels (Sources 1, 2, 6).
Precautions :
While this herb is very safe, some choose to avoid it in the first trimester of pregnancy to be extra cautious. When in doubt, consult with your trusted primary care provider.
Sources
Source 1 (Nutrients + Minerals in Raspberry Leaf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/2/463
Source 2 (Anti-Inflammatory + Antioxidant Properties)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4931538/
Source 3 (Uterus Toning Properties)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407953/
Source 4 (Raspberry Leaf and Labor)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27824754/
Source 5 (Raspberry Leaf and Pregnancy)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/red-raspberry-leaf
Source 6 (Raspberry Leaf and Gestational Diabetes)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27824754/