The Raspberry Leaf
According to WebMD, raspberry is more than a tasty sweet berry. The fruit and leaves of raspberries were used in for medicine for centuries. (1)
It is often used to help pregnant women with giving birth by relaxing the muscles in the uterus.
Raspberry leaf may help with
- Labour
- Period pains
- Diarrhoea
Benefits
1) It may help with labour
Raspberry leaf is primarily for female use, mostly because it may help to relax the muscles of the uterus, which can help with childbirth.
A study carried out on 57 pregnant women found that supplementing with raspberry leaf is likely to decrease labour time. Raspberry leaf might also reduce the likelihood of pre and post-term gestation. The findings also seem to “indicate that women who ingest raspberry leaf might be less likely to receive an artificial rupture of their membranes, or require a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth.” (2)
2) Relieves period pains
Due to the relaxing properties of the raspberry leaf, it may also help with period pains.
3) Has astringent action
Raspberry leaf has an astringent action, which may benefit those who are suffering from diarrhoea, as it can restrict the colon muscles.
Patricia Ferguson from The Royal College of Midwives says “the astringency of the leaves is due to the tannin content, which helps prevent haemorrhage, as well as toning and strengthening the tissues of the reproductive organs.” (3)
Raspberry leaf synergy and works well with
- Evening primrose oil for PMS related symptoms
- Vitamin B6 to help with PMS and painful periods
- Charcoal tablets to help with relation to diarrhoea
Some things to consider
Raspberry leaf should be used during the last six weeks of pregnancy and may interact with codeine. If you want to supplement with raspberry leaf, you should consult your doctor.
Resources
Last accessed online 20/04/2020
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-309/red-raspberry
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10754818
- https://www.rcm.org.uk/news-views-and-analysis/analysis/rasberry-leaves-turning-over-a-new-leaf-for-pregnancy
