Red Raspberry Leaf Benefits and Uses for Women

Red Raspberry Leaf Benefits and Uses for Women

Raspberries are a very familiar summer fruit good for eating fresh, adding to smoothies, and making into jam. The fruit itself, especially when eaten fresh, has many of its own health benefits, but the leaves of the Red Raspberry plant also come with a wide range of benefits and are used in herbal medicine.

In fact, when it comes to women’s health, Red Raspberry Leaf might just be the herb of choice. Not only does Red Raspberry have a long history of supporting women during pregnancy, this herb is also packed full of nutrients that are beneficial for the female body through all life stages.

Here’s more about Red Raspberry Leaf, including its health benefits and how to use it.

Origins

The raspberry plant is a familiar one that is found in both home gardens and the wild, but the red raspberry plant specifically is native to Europe and parts of Asia.

The leaf has been used for hundreds of years (probably longer) to make a medicinal tea or infusion that is very nutrient-rich. While Red Raspberry Leaf can be beneficial for anyone, it’s most often used as one of the best herbs for women’s health.

There are a few key ways Red Raspberry can benefit your health and wellness.

Filled with Vital Nutrients

For starters, Red Raspberry Leaf contains many vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron, and magnesium, which are all vital for the female body and may be lacking from the diet. (1) Even better, the nutrients found in Raspberry Leaf are readily available and easily assimilated by the body- something that can’t always be said for lab-made supplements.

The herb also contains other essential nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and manganese and Vitamins C, A, E, and B complex. And if that wasn’t good enough, Red Raspberry also has strong antioxidant properties due to the bioactive compounds found in the leaf. (2)

One ounce of Red Raspberry Leaves are packed with 3.3mg of Iron, which is 18% of the daily recommended amount for women ages 19-50yrs. 

Beneficial for Uterine Health and Pregnancy

The nutrients found in Red Raspberry Leaf can especially help with a healthy and effectively functioning uterus. It provides almost all of the nutrients needed for uterine health, which in turn will help with a healthy pregnancy. (3)

Red Raspberry can also help to both tone and relax muscles in the pelvic region, including the uterus, which can help the uterus to contract more effectively and lead to an easier birth. (1)

These benefits are why Red Raspberry Leaf is a popular choice for herbalists to recommend before, during, and even after pregnancy. It’s beneficial for both the mother’s and the baby’s health.

Relief for PMS and Cramps

Along with supporting women throughout pregnancy, Red Raspberry Leaf benefits also include help and relief for PMS symptoms. The leaf contains a compound called fragarine, which helps to tone muscles in the pelvic area and can help relieve menstrual cramps. (1)

Getting enough calcium can also help with PMS symptoms, since calcium plays a large role in regulating hormones. Elevated levels of hormones can be partly responsible for cramps, irritability, and mood swings, so getting an adequate amount of calcium may relieve some of those symptoms. As noted before, the calcium in Red Raspberry Leaf is easily assimilated, so that means it can actually be absorbed and utilized by the body.

In addition to calcium, Raspberry Leaf also provides the body with iron. Those with heavier menstrual flows will sometimes experience anemia related to their flow, and the iron in Red Raspberry can help to combat this. (4)

Side Effects

Red Raspberry Leaf is a safe herb that can be used by men, women, children, and even animals. It’s safe for use before, during, and after pregnancy and while nursing. When used as a tea, it may have mild laxative properties and a mild diuretic effect. It’s always good to consult with a qualified medical herbalist, doctor, or midwife about the amount and frequency of Red Raspberry Leaf that should be taken during pregnancy.  

Using Red Raspberry Leaf for Your Health

The most common way of using Red Raspberry Leaf is as a tea, and it’s very simple to make. Just steep anywhere from 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons of the dried herb in 1 cup of water for 10-15 minutes. Add a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, if desired, and enjoy!

To get the most benefit out of Red Raspberry Leaf, the Herbal Academy recommends making an infusion instead of a tea. (1) This means that you would pour boiling water over the herb and let it infuse for 4-8 hours instead of 10-15 minutes.

When making an infusion, it’s best to make a larger amount ahead of time so that you don’t have to wait 4 hours every time you need a cup of Raspberry tea. It can be stored in the refrigerator and enjoyed hot or cold.

The Red Raspberry Leaf infusion can also be used to make a flavored lemonade or iced tea (by adding green or black tea).

Combining with Other Herbs

Combining Red Raspberry Leaf with other herbs can make it even more effective and beneficial for women’s health.

Herbs like Nettle and Alfalfa are also supportive of a healthy pregnancy, and when combined with Red Raspberry can help to strengthen the womb and keep mom and baby doing well. All three contain iron and can help women with low iron levels due to being depleted after pregnancy or some other reason.

Fennel Seed is often used in combination with Red Raspberry (as well as other herbs) to support mothers after giving birth and especially to help increase breastmilk supply.

If you don’t feel confident combining herbs on your own, premade tea mixes are a great option and take all the guesswork out of the equation.

Red Raspberry Leaf is a key ingredient in Afterbirth Ease Tea, which helps with after-birth pains, Fertili Tea, which can help to balance hormones and enhance fertility, and Womb Wellness, which is a blend formulated for womb strength and health.

Red Raspberry also features in Menstrual Melody Tea and Milky Mama Tea.

Discover Red Raspberry Leaf Benefits!

Red Raspberry Leaf has a lot of benefits to offer- on its own and in combination with other herbs that support women and their bodies.

The herb is easy to use and tastes delicious! Try it on its own or in a blend for your own health during and after pregnancy and through all the rest of life’s stages.