Natural Remedies: Red Raspberry Leaf

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You may be familiar with raspberries as a favorite summertime treat. But you may not know that the red raspberry plant (rubus idaeus), particularly its leaves, has long been celebrated for its reported health benefits. Naturally full of nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C and E, this versatile plant is especially appreciated as an effective support for many aspects of women’s health. This plant is considered to be safe for women of childbearing age, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Here are just a few of the ways that red raspberry leaf has traditionally been used:

• As a natural menstrual support
  Red raspberry leaf works as an astringent, shrinking, contracting and reducing inflammation of tissue. This is very helpful for women who experience excessive menstrual bleeding and/or pain, or suffer from conditions such as endometriosis. And because this herb is rich in iron, it can work to prevent or control anemia
• To reduce nausea in pregnancy
  Some women have found that red raspberry leaf provides welcome relief from the nausea associated with pregnancy. However, because of its reputation as a uterine tonic, some with a history of miscarriage may prefer to wait until the second and third trimesters before consuming this herb on a regular basis.
• To prepare the body for labor
  Red raspberry leaf is used to tone the uterine muscles, which are vital to healthy childbirth. Many expectant mothers take this herb to shorten labor and improve contractions. A small study found that women who consumed raspberry leaf were less likely to experience labor interventions such as artificial rupture of membranes and cesarean sections.
• To induce labor
  This herb is a favorite recommendation of midwives hoping to gently encourage a woman’s body to go into labor on its own.
• To aid in postpartum recovery and reduce bleeding
  Red raspberry leaf’s astringent qualities can help reduce risk of postpartum hemorrhage and aid in healing after giving birth or suffering a miscarriage.

My favorite way to ingest red raspberry leaf is to drink it as an herbal tea. In flavor it is similar a mild black tea, and can be enjoyed on its own or sweetened with honey. If you are trying to cut caffeine from your diet, this can be a healthy and delicious alternative to your morning coffee. Besides being rich in vitamins and nutrients that are vital for maintaining reproductive health, red raspberry leaf increases circulation to the pelvic area, making this herb a perfect choice for women who are thinking about getting pregnant or may have had trouble conceiving.

Red raspberry leaf can be found in health food stores, some grocery stores, or online: 

Traditional Medicinals Organic Raspberry Leaf Tea

Do you have experiences with raspberry leaf? Share your stories in the comments!
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Sources:
Natural Fertility Info.com
National Center for Biotechnology Information
(Photo credit: adamr - freedigitalimages.net)