Red raspberry leaf tea. It just sounds delicious, doesn’t it? Not only that, but it’s incredibly powerful for our bodies as well. As the name suggests, red raspberry leaf herb is the leaves from a red raspberry bush. Any variety works!
As long as it’s a red raspberry bush, the leaves contain the same properties. Blueberry and blackberry leaves also have wonderful health benefits, but we’ll go into that more another time.
Naturally-minded friends or your midwife might suggest that you drink red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy. You may even see boxes of “mama tea” in the tea aisle at the grocery store that contain it. It’s not just for pregnancy though! This herb has many benefits for cycling women of all ages and life seasons.
Even better: you can grow it yourself right in your backyard for super cheap!
The Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf
Red raspberry leaf is best known for its use during pregnancy for toning the uterus and preparing the body for delivery. Not only does red raspberry leaf tea fight morning sickness, thanks to being rich in magnesium, but it also can ease labor pains and reduce the risk of bleeding after delivery!
Because of this, midwives and herbalists often suggest pregnant women drink up to a quart or more of this tea daily as they near the end of their pregnancy. When sweetened with a bit of honey, the flavor is much like regular tea.
You can find delicious blended versions that also contain beneficial herbs like oat straw, nettles, rose, and more! These herbs are chock full of essential vitamins and minerals that our bodies crave, but especially need while growing another tiny human. You can find the delicious “Mother Blossom” blend here.
As we mentioned before though, all cycling women should consider taking red raspberry leaf, even if they aren’t pregnant! We all need vitamins and minerals, amirite? Specificlaly, red raspberry leaf contains tannins, vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, and sulfur.
So if you aren’t expecting, try some organic lemon raspberry leaf tea or my all-time favorite perfectly balanced blend instead!
The History of Red Raspberry Leaf
The history and uses of red raspberry leaf date back to the Native Americans and perhaps longer. Across centuries, different cultures used this herb to treat a range of ailments and bodily problems. It commonly treated pregnancy, bowel, and digestive problems.
The raspberry is a member of the rose family, and the bushes they grow on seem to bear fruit indefinitely in cooler climates. Raspberries are planted in the winter and harvested any time between mid-summer and first frost.
The leaves that are gathered in springtime, before the plant flowers, have the highest antioxidant content. This makes them an extremely potent source of vital nutrients.
Today, red raspberry leaf tea is highly suggested by most midwives, so the benefits are well-known. It’s believed that around 63% of US midwives use this herb to stimulate labor.
The benefits of red raspberry leaf include:
- Relieving frustrating PMS symptoms, such as cramping, nausea, and diarrhea
- Easing heavy menstrual flows
- Strengthening the uterus to reduce the length of labor and delivery
- Reducing risk of premature and overdue birth
- Decreasing the likelihood of needing interventions during childbirth, such as artificial ruption of membranes.
It’s believed that this herb strengthens the uterus, making contractions stronger and helpful. No studies or evidence suggest that this herb leads to miscarriages, but most midwives suggest that you begin drinking red raspberry leaf tea after 32 weeks, especially if you’re new to it.
Perhaps the most important note is that no adverse or dangerous side effects appeared for mom or baby in any published studies about the benefits of red raspberry leaf during pregnancy. All studies showcase the potential benefits.
If you aren’t pregnant, this herb still benefits you. It helps to ease heavy menstrual flows, a common problem during perimenopause.
Don’t think this herb isn’t for you; it’s one of the best herbs for women. Some benefits of taking red raspberry when you aren’t pregnant include:
- Easing menstrual cramps
- Reducing heavy flows
- Balancing moods
- Regulating menstrual cycles
- Prevents hormonal acne
- Help reduce symptoms of adrenal fatigue
Sounds pretty amazing, right?
Growing Red Raspberry Leaf
Growing red raspberry leaf in your backyard is so easy, and it comes with the bonus of producing tons of red raspberries for your family to enjoy. Red raspberry bushes are prolific, producing large yields of fruits after only a few years.
Here’s how to grow red raspberry bushes.
1. Plant in the Spring
The best time to plant red raspberry bushes is in the spring. Start with one-year-old canes from a local garden nursery and plant outside as soon as the ground thaws enough to dig a hole. If you live in a mild area that doesn’t have frigid winters, planting in the fall works as well.
2. Pick a Sunny Spot
Red raspberries prefer to grow in a sunny location, but they survive in partially-shade if that’s all you have. However, the more sun that the plants receive, the more fruits the plant produces.
Raspberry bushes grow for up to 15 years, so pick the spot wisely. It should be well-draining; standing water (like at the bottom of a slope) causes the roots to rot.
3. Add Compost
Raspberry bushes need plenty of nutrients to grow, so add compost to the soil before you plant. Compost has all the nutrients your plant needs to grow.
4. Dig a Big Hole
When you plant raspberry bushes, the hole should be twice as wide as the root ball. Put compost at the bottom of the hole and use your fingers to spread the roots apart gently.
Place the bush into the hole and fill in the remaining area with dirt. Press down firmly and water deeply to help the roots establish.
5. Prune Regularly
A big part of caring for red raspberry bushes is pruning. Starting the spring after planting, cut the old or weak canes down to the ground.
You always should look for dead or diseased branches to remove. Raspberries grow on the new canes, and the old ones need to be removed.
The best time to prune is in the early spring before any new growth appears. The bush is dormant at this time; no need to worry that you’ll damage anything. Pruning makes the bush more vigorous!
6. Harvest Raspberries and Leaves
Raspberries typically harvest in the summer; everbearing raspberries harvest in the spring and fall. Harvesting the berries is easy! Wait until they’re a ripe, red color and soft.
Harvesting red raspberry leaves is a bit different and takes patience. The best time to harvest the leaves is in the morning before the plant’s blooms open. The dew should be dried.
You can harvest green leaves at any point during the growing season. Pick young, vibrant leaves and use clean scissors to cut them off the cane.
Make sure you wash them well before drying.
Drying Red Raspberry Leaves
Once you harvest the leaves, it’s time to dry them. Dried leaves are best for making herbal teas.
Lay them on a screen and let them air dry for several days. If you want them sooner, spread them across a tray in your dehydrator and run it on 135° until the leaves are crispy but still green.
Store the dried leaves in an airtight container, such as a glass jar, in a cool, dark location. Use 1 tsp of dried red raspberry leaves in 8oz of boiling water to make tea. Let the tea steep for 5 minutes before sweetening.
Try This Herb
Women and midwives praise the benefits of red raspberry leaf tea, and they’re right. This herb helps all women, not just those who are pregnant. Make sure you keep this herbal tea in your pantry!
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