As you know from my last post, I’m taking an online herbal course.
One of the best traditional, natural “treatments” I’ve seen for all women is Red Raspberry Leaf (various Rubus species). Let’s break down the why’s and how’s.
Red Raspberry Leaf is a uterine tonic. This means simply that it helps tone the uterine muscle. For pregnancy, this has been reported to shorten labors (a 2001 study published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health). This is probably due to the fact that the tonic action strengthens the muscle so as to assist the uterus to contract more efficiently. Contrary to what some may worry, it won’t start labor – as a uterine tonic, it doesn’t make your uterus contract; it helps it do the work (see suggestions and contraindications below).
Because it has these tonic capabilities, some midwives recommend women drink an especially strong infusion during labor and during the immediate post-partum period. It is thought that Red Raspberry Leaf will improve post-partum hemorrhage by assisting uterine contractions. Some women report that “after-pains,” those painful post-partum contractions usually associated with second (and more) babies, are lessened or eliminated.
These reasons alone are enough – but what about the rest of us who aren’t pregnant?
The uterine tonic action of red raspberry leaf can also improve women’s cycles. If you experience painful periods, especially associated with severe cramps, heavy flow, and passage of clots, it is certainly worth it to try Red Raspberry Leaf. The tonic action may assist your body in shedding the lining without needing to cramp.
Some midwives report that Red Raspberry leaf helps prevent miscarriage. (Other report that it is contraindicated in the first trimester, see below). It also reported to ease morning sickness during pregnancy and diarrhea any time due to its tonic work in the intestines and stomach.
What about benefits besides the tonic action?
Like Dandelion (yeah, the stuff that grows in your yard!) and Red Clover, Red Raspberry Leaf is high in calcium and potassium (it also has vitamins A, B, C, and E, and phosphorus). The need for calcium in women’s diets is well-documented. For pregnancy, this increase in calcium not only supports the rapid growth necessary; it also may help with those awful “charley horses.” For postpartum and women otherwise enjoying their fertility through regular cycles, the calcium and potassium support regular bone health. Remember that nutrients we are able to obtain through food sources (and herbals, because after all they are food too) are better absorbed by the body than the best over-the-counter supplement.
Some research indicates that Red Raspberry Leaf also increases milk production. Others report that it can help lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. It may also be used to treat flu and fevers.
So, how does one take it?
I believe, like so many other supplements that you can buy capsules of Red Raspberry Leaf. However, I much prefer to take it as an infusion. You might think of an infusion as a very strong medicinal tea. You can buy Red Raspberry Leaf tea bags, but they tend to be expensive and may be mixed with other herbs or otherwise weakened. I bought my leaf from Frontier by the pound.
For pregnancy, I personally would suggest you take the infusion daily. You may want to make a strong infusion for labor. Some women have even made an infusion and frozen it to have the ice cubes to suck on during labor!
For general womanly health, I would suggest taking the infusion at least during the second half of your cycle (easy to do if you chart your cycles, otherwise take it for about two weeks before you expect your period).
Here’s how I suggest you prepare it.
Generally, you should use 1 tbsp dried herb per cup of water (2 tbsp fresh per cup). This is true for Red Raspberry Leaf. If you are planning to take it during pregnancy, I suggest you make a quart (4 cups) a day and sip on it throughout the day. The directions below are for a quart.
Boil 4 cups of water in a small pot. Take 4 tbsp of dried Red Raspberry Leaf and put it in the bottom of a jar. Pour your 4 cups of boiling water over the Red Raspberry Leaf and allow it to sit for 20 minutes. (Some say to infuse overnight. I have tried both and can’t really tell a difference.) Refrigerate and enjoy. You can sweeten it taste – honey is good – or even mix it with fruit juice, which I what I usually do.
Contraindications? and other suggestions.
Some sources tend to be on the conservative side and recommend against Red Raspberry Leaf during the first trimester; they are worried that it may “over-stimulate” the uterus and cause miscarriage. From my research, this seems very much to go against the way Red Raspberry Leaf works as a tonic. However, you may want to abstain from the infusion during the first trimester, for your peace of mind more than anything else. I believe your stress level and peace of mind affect your pregnancy; do what you feel is best.
I found once source that indicated that the infusion was contraindicated during breastfeeding, though it did not explain its reasons. Nearly all other sources indicated that the infusion promoted lactation (and therefore would not be contraindicated). Again, use your own judgement.
These are some of the sources I used in writing this entry:
From Susun Weed – Her wonderful Herbal for the Childbearing Year
along with this webpage: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm
An article by Chandramita Bora: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/red-raspberry-leaf-tea-benefits.html
An online source that quotes Susun Weed: http://www.truthseek.net/Raspberry.html#anchor_147
http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/81895.aspx
Various herbals such as those by David Hoffman
and The Earthwise Herba
l by Matthew Wood
One of the best traditional, natural “treatments” I’ve seen for all women is Red Raspberry Leaf (various Rubus species). Let’s break down the why’s and how’s.
Red Raspberry Leaf is a uterine tonic. This means simply that it helps tone the uterine muscle. For pregnancy, this has been reported to shorten labors (a 2001 study published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health). This is probably due to the fact that the tonic action strengthens the muscle so as to assist the uterus to contract more efficiently. Contrary to what some may worry, it won’t start labor – as a uterine tonic, it doesn’t make your uterus contract; it helps it do the work (see suggestions and contraindications below).
Because it has these tonic capabilities, some midwives recommend women drink an especially strong infusion during labor and during the immediate post-partum period. It is thought that Red Raspberry Leaf will improve post-partum hemorrhage by assisting uterine contractions. Some women report that “after-pains,” those painful post-partum contractions usually associated with second (and more) babies, are lessened or eliminated.
These reasons alone are enough – but what about the rest of us who aren’t pregnant?
The uterine tonic action of red raspberry leaf can also improve women’s cycles. If you experience painful periods, especially associated with severe cramps, heavy flow, and passage of clots, it is certainly worth it to try Red Raspberry Leaf. The tonic action may assist your body in shedding the lining without needing to cramp.
Some midwives report that Red Raspberry leaf helps prevent miscarriage. (Other report that it is contraindicated in the first trimester, see below). It also reported to ease morning sickness during pregnancy and diarrhea any time due to its tonic work in the intestines and stomach.
What about benefits besides the tonic action?
Like Dandelion (yeah, the stuff that grows in your yard!) and Red Clover, Red Raspberry Leaf is high in calcium and potassium (it also has vitamins A, B, C, and E, and phosphorus). The need for calcium in women’s diets is well-documented. For pregnancy, this increase in calcium not only supports the rapid growth necessary; it also may help with those awful “charley horses.” For postpartum and women otherwise enjoying their fertility through regular cycles, the calcium and potassium support regular bone health. Remember that nutrients we are able to obtain through food sources (and herbals, because after all they are food too) are better absorbed by the body than the best over-the-counter supplement.
Some research indicates that Red Raspberry Leaf also increases milk production. Others report that it can help lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. It may also be used to treat flu and fevers.
So, how does one take it?
I believe, like so many other supplements that you can buy capsules of Red Raspberry Leaf. However, I much prefer to take it as an infusion. You might think of an infusion as a very strong medicinal tea. You can buy Red Raspberry Leaf tea bags, but they tend to be expensive and may be mixed with other herbs or otherwise weakened. I bought my leaf from Frontier by the pound.
For pregnancy, I personally would suggest you take the infusion daily. You may want to make a strong infusion for labor. Some women have even made an infusion and frozen it to have the ice cubes to suck on during labor!
For general womanly health, I would suggest taking the infusion at least during the second half of your cycle (easy to do if you chart your cycles, otherwise take it for about two weeks before you expect your period).
Here’s how I suggest you prepare it.
Generally, you should use 1 tbsp dried herb per cup of water (2 tbsp fresh per cup). This is true for Red Raspberry Leaf. If you are planning to take it during pregnancy, I suggest you make a quart (4 cups) a day and sip on it throughout the day. The directions below are for a quart.
Boil 4 cups of water in a small pot. Take 4 tbsp of dried Red Raspberry Leaf and put it in the bottom of a jar. Pour your 4 cups of boiling water over the Red Raspberry Leaf and allow it to sit for 20 minutes. (Some say to infuse overnight. I have tried both and can’t really tell a difference.) Refrigerate and enjoy. You can sweeten it taste – honey is good – or even mix it with fruit juice, which I what I usually do.
Contraindications? and other suggestions.
Some sources tend to be on the conservative side and recommend against Red Raspberry Leaf during the first trimester; they are worried that it may “over-stimulate” the uterus and cause miscarriage. From my research, this seems very much to go against the way Red Raspberry Leaf works as a tonic. However, you may want to abstain from the infusion during the first trimester, for your peace of mind more than anything else. I believe your stress level and peace of mind affect your pregnancy; do what you feel is best.
I found once source that indicated that the infusion was contraindicated during breastfeeding, though it did not explain its reasons. Nearly all other sources indicated that the infusion promoted lactation (and therefore would not be contraindicated). Again, use your own judgement.
These are some of the sources I used in writing this entry:
From Susun Weed – Her wonderful Herbal for the Childbearing Year
along with this webpage: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htmAn article by Chandramita Bora: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/red-raspberry-leaf-tea-benefits.html
An online source that quotes Susun Weed: http://www.truthseek.net/Raspberry.html#anchor_147
http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/81895.aspx
Various herbals such as those by David Hoffman
and The Earthwise Herbal by Matthew Wood
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