Raspberry leaf tea organic • the uterus’ best friend

Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus, Rubus occidentalis) has been used as a uterine tonic and general pregnancy tea for at least two centuries. 

The story goes that it was used by Indigenous American women to:

• tone their uterus
• restore hormonal balance
• regulate the menstrual cycle
• stimulate fertility
• promote labour during childbirth
• relieve the symptoms of menopause.

In 1941, an article in the British Medical Journal speaks of the relaxing action of fragarine on the uterine muscle. It reads: “Raw raspberry leaf tea is being used in one of the maternity wards in Worcestershire, and the nursing staff report favourably its effect in making things easier.”

Nowadays, studies confirmed that raspberry leaf tea can help

Before pregnancy: 

Raspberry leaf tea is a natural resource for a good hormonal balance, as well as a regulator of menstrual cycles. Its antispasmodic effect on the uterine muscles helps relieve painful menstruation. We included it in our menstrual tea: the Moon Time tea.

Before labour: 

Raspberry leaf tea can be drunk from the beginning of the 9th month, 3 cups a day. If Baby is slow to point the tip of his nose, you can drink one to two more cups. Do not hesitate to add a little honey or agave syrup to make the flavour of this drink more pleasant!

During labour: Many women claim that red raspberry leaves tea helps shorten labour. The fragarine molecule contained in raspberry leaves helps to simultaneously tone and relax the uterine muscle, thus helping to balance the muscular action of the uterus. Raspberry leaf tea also has, thanks to its richness in tannins, astringent properties that firm the tissues.

Post-partum: raspberry leaves tea restores tone to the uterus and also reduces bleeding and inflammation.

How to prepare your raspberry leaf tea:

• Use 1g of raspberry leaves (approximately 1 level tablespoon) for a mug.
• Steep the raspberry leaves in boiled water for 10 minutes, in a tea strainer of a plastic-free empty tea bag.
• If desired, you can add a small amount of honey to sweeten the herbal taste.
• Enjoy 1 to 3 cups of tea per day (250–750 mL)

Important notes and side effects:

Red raspberry leaf tea is generally considered safe for most individuals, but it is advisable to consult your doctor before incorporating it into your routine.

Although side effects are usually mild, it is important to be aware of them.

This herbal tea may have a gentle laxative effect and could potentially cause loose stools in certain individuals. Additionally, it may act as a mild diuretic, leading to increased urination.

Research suggests that the most optimal time to start consuming red raspberry leaf tea is at 32 weeks of pregnancy.

There is some debate regarding whether it should be used throughout the entire pregnancy or only during the second and third trimesters. As a result, many healthcare providers exercise caution and recommend using it after the first trimester.

If you choose to consume red raspberry leaf tea earlier in your pregnancy, it is advisable to limit your intake to 1 cup per day.

If you experience Braxton Hicks contractions or notice spotting during the second or third trimesters, it is recommended to discontinue its use.

In all cases, it is important to consult with your GP or midwife to ensure its suitability for you.

Scientific references :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407953/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10754818/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11370690/

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/herbal-tea/