Raspberry leaf tea: Benefits and Cautions


Like the raspberry fruit, raspberry leaf tea contains a lot of vitamin C, E, A, B, manganese, magnesium, and many minerals including phosphorous and potassium. Raspberry leaf tea is the most popular tonic for pregnancy and labor. Many women consume the raspberry leaf tea during their pregnancies in the belief that it shortens labor and makes labor “easier.” With me a new user raspberry leaf tea since this summer, I got a lot of concerning about this herbal tea like who can use raspberry leaf tea? Does the raspberry leaf tea is really good to the pregnant? Do I need to wait until pregnant to use the benefits of this wonderful leaf? What doses for using raspberry leaf tea?


For that reason, in this post, I want to discuss with you about raspberry leaf tea’s benefits and cautions when using this herbal tea. 

1. What are benefits of raspberry leaf tea?

The first benefit I like in raspberry leaf tea is its usage as a tonic herbal tea for the body and skin. With the high amount of vitamins and minerals, the raspberry leaf tea can enhance an immune system. The raspberry leaf tea promotes sweating, urination, and bile production. Besides, the raspberry leaf tea can enhance and purify the skin too. The raspberry leaf tea can act as an astringent on irritated skin and tighten the top layers of skin or mucous membranes effectively reducing secretions, relieving irritation, improving tissue firmness. I do not recommend you to drink too much raspberry leaf tea in a week because raspberry leaf tea can work as estrogen hormone and it can change your hormone. Normally, I drink 2 or 3 cups raspberry leaf tea in a week with the aim of improving my skin and strengthen the immune system.  

The second benefit of raspberry leaf tea is the leaf can be used for sore respiratory system disorders including flu and swine flu, heart problem, fever and vitamin deficiency and sore throat. When I have a sore throat, using raspberry leaf tea is a good choice besides using lemon or cough medicines. With the high amount of tanning, the raspberry leaf tea can be used as a mouthwash to soothe mouth and throat irritations. You should cool the tea before using it as a gargle or apply it topically.

Raspberry leaf tea can regulate a menstrual period and decrease heavy periods. Astringent properties of this herb help to stop heavy bleeding. The high rate of iron which may help prevent anemia due to heavy menstrual bleeding.

Raspberry leaf tea for fertility issues: If you are thinking of trying to get pregnant, raspberry leaf tea can be a good food supplement to improve uterine health and boosting overall nutritional intake. The raspberry leaf tea can heal and improve uterine health where there is uterine weakness present. The raspberry leaf tea constituents the alkaloid that helps to tone the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus. Besides, this herb is very nutritive and may help to boost overall nutrition. It is also safe for men to use because it does not contain any hormone-like substances. If you are actively trying to conceive, you should be avoided after ovulation.
Raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy:  Raspberry leaf tea is a traditional herbal therapy and is recommended in pregnancy by some midwives. When searching information about raspberry leaf tea’s benefits I found millions of article and blog posts motivate pregnant women using raspberry leaf tea. But does raspberry leaf tea really work or not? I don’t know because I haven’t got a baby yet. With me, this issue is very controversial and I would like to discuss with you more detail in the question 3.
2.  How much raspberry leaf tea I can use?

According to the drug.com, the safety and typical doses of raspberry leaf tea are 1.5 to 2.4 g/day. It’s mean 1 to 2 cup of raspberry leaf tea per day.
3. Does Raspberry leaf tea’s benefits to pregnant women?

I haven’t got a baby yet and I cannot share with you experience about pregnancy. But I do interest in finding information about raspberry leaf tea with pregnancy. The first website I visited to find information is Wikipedia. On Wikipedia, I found that ‘‘Most of the evidence available are anecdotal, and a recent scholarly review stressed concern at the lack of evidence for safety and efficacy and called recommendations of its use “questionable”.’’

The result of Wikipedia made me wondering and I start to find more information based on Wikipedia references. The references led me to the website of US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health. In this website, I found some research on safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf in
pregnancy. All research do not recommend raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy because of the lack of evidence for safety and efficacy. And further research on this issue is suggested. The research of Center of Pharmacy, University of Bergen, Norway, showed that the efficacy of raspberry leaf is not convincing because the limited documentation exists. The research was conducted in the electronic databases including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, AMED, EMBASE, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and Cochrane Library. Altogether there are only 12 original publications focus on safety or efficacy of raspberry leaf during pregnancy in 50 years or older. However, all the studies are small and cannot rule out negative effects on pregnancy outcome.

In the latest animal study of McMaster University, Canada in 2009, the study indicates an increased risk for the unborn child.

I know the using of raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy is a controversial issue. I do not against people who believe the benefits of raspberry leaf tea with the pregnancy. But, with all information found, I strongly
recommend you go to ask your doctor or health care before you using raspberry leaf tea in your pregnant time. Only use this herbal tea when you are noted by your doctor. If you need to read more about this issue you can find the detail information in my references.

4. What cautions should take when using raspberry leaf tea?

Raspberry leaf tea can work as a hormone estrogen so in some cases, it might harm your health. Before using this herb pay caution to the main DO and DON’T

A.   DO

I strongly recommend you to seek advice from your doctor before using red raspberry leaf tea or any kind of herbal tea. Keep in your mind that raspberry leaf tea is to be used only as a food supplement and must not be used to treat, mitigate or cure any symptom, illness or disease.

It is important to only take the raspberry leaf doses as you recommended. In extremely high doses, the raspberry leaf can reduce your blood sugar or may cause muscles in the uterus to contract or relax, therefore, a miscarriage could occur when pregnant time.

The red raspberry leaves could change the way the body absorbs medications. The tannin in raspberry leaf tea could interfere with the absorption of non-prescription drugs such as vitamins. Take the red raspberry at least two hours before or after taking non-prescription drugs by mouth.

B.   DON’T

Do not combine herbal remedies with pharmaceutical drugs unless you have been consulted by your physician. Keep out of reach of children & pets,

Do not use raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy or lactation unless noted. Do not
take red raspberry leave tea on your own. Only use the red raspberry leave tea under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider.

Raspberry leaf is not also used by women who have endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or cancers of the breast, ovaries, or uterus because it can change the estrogen hormone.

Men who have prostate cancer should also avoid using it.

Raspberry leaf may affect infants and is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding.

Diabetics should be careful as it might lower the blood sugar levels drastically.

Here are the main benefits of raspberry leaf I collected and researched. I do hope you should pay attention and be careful before using raspberry leaf tea. I like raspberry leaf tea because it’s tasty, lots of healing benefits and can strengthen the immune system. But I strongly recommend you find the advice from a doctor before using raspberry leaf tea or at least educate yourself before using it. If you are pregnant, remember to only use the red raspberry leave tea under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. With whom who prepare to have a baby, raspberry leaf tea can be a food supplement help you to fertility. And remember some cases that you cannot use the raspberry leaf tea too.  




References:
·        Voice Yahoo, ‘‘The benefits red raspberry leaves’’, Web August 21, 2013 


·        Drugs, ‘‘Raspberry’’, drugs.com, Web August 21, 2013 

·        Local harvest. ‘‘Red raspberry leaf tea’’. localharvest.org. Web August 21, 2013 

·        US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. ‘‘Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety andefficacy in labor’’. Web August 21, 2013 

·        US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. ‘‘Raspberry leaf–should it be recommended topregnant women?’’ Web August 21, 2013

·        US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. ‘‘Effect of maternal raspberry leaf consumption in rats on pregnancyoutcome and the fertility ofthe female offspring.’’ Web August 21, 2013 

4 comments

  1. My doctors know NOTHING and have NO OPINION. They said I need to be operated on immediately otherwise I may die. I avoided a hysterectomy, though. I could not get any doctor to want to stop my profuse bleeding. My 2 main saviors are called: SHEPHERD'S PURSE AND RASPBERRY LEAVES – in very small amounts. There are other 20 foods and spices that helped also: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, hawthorn, etc etc And some vitamins. Thank you, God, for giving them to us.

  2. I do think we need to ask doctors before using any new herbs. I think if your doctors do not know information about the herbs, you can find speoial doctors who focus on herbs. In Asia we have a traditional doctors who use herbs and leaves in the treatment. You also can read information from trusted sources before using any herbs too. I will add all my resources under all the post. Wish you all the luck and be careful before using any herbs.

  3. This article implies that red raspberry leaf boosts estrogen levels. Many sources say otherwise that it increases progesterone levels. I don't know who to believe, coz it depends how I'm gonna take it. And what does this sentence mean "If you are actively trying to conceive, you should be avoided after ovulation." Should avoid taking it after ovulation?

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