Red Raspberry

Raspberry bushes are native to North America and are cultivated in Canada.  Although well known for their delicious taste, raspberries are also used in medicine.

In traditional herbalism and midwifery, red raspberry has been used for female health, including pregnancy. It was considered a remedy for menorrhagia (excessive menstrual flow) and as a “partus preparator”, or agent used during pregnancy to help prevent complications.

Awareness among pregnant women regarding the use of raspberry leaves during pregnancy appears to be steadily increasing, although interest and usage vary by country. Red raspberry leaves have been ingested as a uterotonic agent and “general pregnancy” tea for the last two centuries. The use of raspberry is believed to play a role in the prevention of miscarriage, alleviation of discomfort in the prodromal labor stage, prevention of overdue pregnancy, relief of morning nausea, induction of labor, and enhanced cervical ripening. Additionally, red raspberry leaf is often administered to alleviate labor-associated pain.

Raspberry leaves are high in tannins and, like their relative blackberry, may also relieve acute diarrhea. The constituents in raspberry that may affect smooth muscles, including the uterus, are still not fully understood.