herbs - Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus)

What is it?

Raspberry or red Raspberry is a plant native to North America, but it is now widely cultivated in most temperate parts of the world. It is a well-known plant because of the delicious berries that it yields, however it is the leaves of the plant that are used in herbal medicine.

Action

Raspberry leaf contains high levels of tannins, which have astringent properties. It works well at toning the muscles of the uterus in women and has been used as a herb for pregnancy support.

Uses

Our experts recommend Raspberry leaf for the following disorders:

Other information

Midwives and herbalists often recommend that Raspberry leaf is taken during the last 9 weeks of pregnancy to help the body prepare for childbirth by toning the uterus, increasing the efficacy of contractions. It is thought to ease pain and reduce time in labour. It has also been suggested that it can increase milk flow in nursing mothers and speed recovery.  Herbalists use Raspberry leaf to treat diarrhoea and to reduce symptoms of colds and sore throats.

Raspberry leaf is available as tea, tablets, capsules or tincture, it can be used in tincture form for children 1 year of age and above. Herb tincture dosage is lower than adult levels - a simple guide for children is one drop per stone of weight.

Cautions

• Red Raspberry is safe and free of side effects, however it is a herb with a high tannin content and may block the absorption of many drugs. Ones to note are atropine, theophylline or medications that contain ephedrine or codeine. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist, but a general indication is that drinking high levels of tea is also not recommended with the medicine in question.



• Some herbalists recommended Raspberry leaf for use during the whole of pregnancy, or in the last 5 months. This should be done only after consultation with your doctor or midwife.    



• When this article was written there were no other well-known negative drug interactions with Raspberry leaf.

This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk). The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.