Raspberry leaf

Raspberry leaf is a herbal tea from the red raspberry plant. It is one of the herbs that has been classified as the “Woman’s herb” due to its healing properties related to menstruation and pregnancy. In fact, the leaves have been used for a wide range of medicinal purposes as well as to induce labor. They provide B vitamins, vitamin C and a number of minerals, including potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and iron. However, their most notable contribution might be their antioxidant properties. The leaves contain polyphenols like tannins (low levels) and flavonoids, which act as antioxidants in your body and can help protect cells from damage. In addition, the leaves contain small amounts of ellagic acids, which have been shown to neutralize carcinogens and even contribute to the self-destruction of cancer cells. Some research supports the anecdotal evidence of women saying that the leaves help relieve premenstrual symptoms (PMS), such as cramping, vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. Red raspberry leaves contain fragarine, a plant compound that helps tone and tighten muscles in the pelvic area, which may reduce the menstrual cramping caused by the spasms of these muscles. It is also packed with iron (3.3 mg) which is around 18% of the daily recommended intake. These properties make Raspberry leaf a crucial herb for women. While red raspberry leaf tea is typically recommended for the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, some women use the herbal remedy to help with nausea and vomiting in the first trimester as well. Red raspberry leaf tea has also been used to strengthen the uterus, improve labour outcome and prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth. There are also various healing properties in regards to pregnancy such as shortening of labour and reducing the risk of complications