Raspberry Leaf Tea & Pregnancy
It seems like if you are pregnant you hear the word ‘Raspberry Leaf Tea’ thrown around a LOT. If you open up Tik Tok or Instagram you will see everyone drinking this to prepare for labor.
But what does it do? Does it actually work? How much should you drink?
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea has been used for centuries.
According to the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism “For centuries the herb was recognized as a powerful uterine tonic by Indigenous people throughout the world. Western culture began to shed light on its array of medicinal properties in the 1940s. Today, Raspberry leaf is well known as a pregnancy-supporting tonic, rich nutritive herb, and woman’s health herb”.
This tasty tea has pregnant women hooked because of its ability to strengthen your uterine muscles, increase blood supply to your uterus, and MUCH more. Women have been benefitting from its magical properties for a long time.
Like almost any topic in pregnancy, research is lacking on raspberry leaf tea. Some research says drinking the tea could ‘induce’ labor. While most other research says the tea isn’t an induction agent AT ALL.
Lets review:
The background of raspberry leaf tea
The benefits of raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy
When to drink raspberry leaf tea
How to prepare raspberry leaf tea
Join me as we dive into the amazing & powerful benefits of Raspberry Leaf Tea in pregnancy & beyond. There’s a reason this tea is referred to as the ‘Woman’s Herb”...
Background of Raspberry Leaf Tea
Although raspberry bushes are grown across the globe, they are indigenous to Europe and Asia in temperate climates. It can often be found growing in moist areas or places that have been cleared or were somehow disturbed.
There are many species of raspberry plants, but rubus idaeus is the most recognized for its medicinal properties within herbalism. It’s said the Greek Olympian Gods could be found collecting the ripe berries around Mount Ida, hence the name Rubus idaeus which means “bramble of Ida” in Latin.
Women have used these leaves for thousands of years to prepare the womb for childbirth, to aid in delivery, and for breastfeeding. Some farmers even used it for their pregnant goats.
Other uses were as a remedy for common ailments due to its abundance of minerals, vitamins, and tannins (which help to tone and tighten tissue). Chemicals in the leaf were believed to help the blood vessels relax. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Ayurvedic physicians also used it widely as a treatment for wounds and diarrhea.
Benefits of Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy
In the United States teas of raspberry leaves were given to women of the Cherokee, Iroquois, and Mohawk Nations to soothe labor pains, ease contractions, and ease nausea.
There are a lot of claims on the internet about Raspberry Leaf Tea ‘inducing labor’. No evidence suggests this to be true.
Here are some amazing things Raspberry Leaf Tea can do for you:
Effective Contractions
One of the most well-known benefits of raspberry leaf tea is its ability to help your contractions be effective in labor. Raspberry leaf tea is believed to tone the uterus, which can make contractions more efficient. This can help shorten the duration of labor and reduce the need for medical interventions such as induction or a c-section.
In a study published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, women who consumed raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy were found to have a reduced risk of preterm labor, a shorter second stage of labor, and a decreased need for artificial rupture of membranes, compared to those who did not consume the tea.
Supports a Healthy Pregnancy
Raspberry leaf tea is also believed to support a healthy pregnancy. The tea is rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy pregnancy including: iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B, C, and E. These nutrients can help support the health of both the mother and the developing baby.
In addition, raspberry leaf tea is believed to promote healthy circulation, which can help prevent varicose veins and hemorrhoids, common conditions that can occur during pregnancy.
Reduces Nausea & Morning Sickness
Nausea and morning sickness are common symptoms of pregnancy that can be uncomfortable and disruptive. Raspberry leaf tea is believed to help reduce these symptoms, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. The tea can help soothe the digestive system and reduce inflammation, which can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
Promotes Relaxation
Raspberry leaf tea is believed to have relaxing properties that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. The tea contains compounds that can help calm the nervous system, which can reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.
Supports Breastfeeding
Raspberry Leaf Tea is also a galactagogue, which is a term used for an herb that is said to increase milk production. In addition, the tea is rich in nutrients that are essential for nursing mothers, including iron and vitamin C.
When to Drink Raspberry Leaf Tea
It is generally believed that drinking red raspberry leaf tea during the third trimester holds the most benefits in strengthening the uterine muscle and preparing the body for labor.
I WANT TO REITERATE THAT DRINKING RASPBERRY LEAF TEA DOES NOT ‘INDUCE’ OR ‘START’ LABOR.
I have seen that thrown around a lot and it is not what the herb does within the body.
Most pregnancy-focused practitioners tell mothers to use caution with red raspberry tea during the first trimester. There isn’t much evidence on using the tea at all…but it is said that its use early on could cause miscarriage. Most professionals just base that on the fact that it acts as a ‘uterine trophorestorative’--meaning it increases the tone & function of the uterus.
Always work with a practitioner or herbalist you trust to figure out the correct timing for you!
How to Prepare Raspberry Leaf Tea
Raspberry Leaf Tea is recommended in the third trimester starting with 1 cup of tea working up to 3 cups daily.
If using tea bags:
For hot tea–boil water, steep 1-2 tea bags for 10-15 minutes
For iced tea–boil water, steep 1-2 tea bags for 5-10 minutes, let liquid cool completely, pour over ice
If using loose leaf tea:
Typically 1-2 tbsp is suggested per cup
Raspberry Leaf Tea can be a great herb to add to your pregnancy journey. The tea is NOT used to induce labor. Sorry, just had to say that again.
Herbalists and midwives consider raspberry leaf to be gentle and effective. Research shows that drinking raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy can result in fewer obstetric interventions, including decreased amniotomy, caesarean section, forceps delivery, and vacuum extraction. However, it’s hard to conduct research on uses of herbs and outcomes during birth because of the wide array of different factors & variables.
Raspberry Leaf, considered the ‘woman’s herb’, is amazing for so many reasons. It can support regulation of the menstrual cycle, decrease cramping, excess bleeding and/or excess clotting. Traditionally, in pregnancy the herb has been used to reduce morning sickness, reduce false labor pains, normalize uterine contractions, ease the birthing process, decrease bleeding after birth, return the uterus to its normal tone and increase the quality of breast milk while nursing.
So not only can you use this herb during pregnancy–it is also great for postpartum, breastfeeding, and menstrual cycles as well.
I’ll take a cup please!
References
Bowman R, Taylor J, Muggleton S, Davis D. Biophysical effects, safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf use in pregnancy: a systematic integrative review. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021 Feb 9;21(1):56. doi: 10.1186/s12906-021-03230-4. PMID: 33563275; PMCID: PMC7871383.
Herbalism, C. (2022, February 16). Red Raspberry Leaf. Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. https://clinicalherbalism.com/red-raspberry-leaf/#:~:text=For%20centuries%20the%20herb%20was,herb%2C%20and%20woman’s%20health%20herb.
Mallory, J. (2018). Red Raspberry Leaf. Red Raspberry Leaf - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/red-raspberry-leaf#:~:text=Although%20it%20does%20not%20appear,for%20medical%20intervention%20at%20birth.