Expert Proof That Red Raspberry Tea is Safe Throughout Pregnancy
It’s common on the web to bicker about the dramatic risks or benefits of drinking red raspberry leaf tea at certain stages of pregnancy. (Namely that if used too early it “might cause a miscarriage!” or should be saved to the end as it can “put you into a strong labor.”) As a midwife who has safely used red raspberry herbals with pregnant and lactating clients for over four decades, there’s so much more to know! Unfortunately, a lot of incomplete information and fear-mongering has been repeated in authoritative ways.
Let’s clear up the confusion!
Species of the raspberry plant (Rubus idaeus var.canadensis, R. strigosus. Red Raspberry) are found around throughout the world, and it grows wild from the Canadian Arctic to Southern California. (1) The berries have long been used as food, and the leaves as medicine. Cultivated and wild species are a bit different, and studies have more often been done with the cultivated form.
These books are just some of the expert midwives and herbalists that document the safety of red raspberry leaf and support it’s use during pregnancy. Contrary to self-proclaimed social media experts, several of these volumes specifically suggest red raspberry as one of the primary herbs to consider if miscarriage threatens in the first trimester!
Red raspberry leaves have astringent properties, which loosely means that it’s action helps to tone relaxed tissue.
It’s actions tend to have an affinity for the intestines and uterus. Weak and queasy stomach conditions often respond well to red raspberry leaf preparations, as does certain intestinal conditions from simple diarrhea to constipation. Even fever and influenza! In fact, in holistic medicine, respiratory conditions are often relieved through support of the intestines. This might explain why some of the most brilliant results with red raspberry include respiratory conditions such as colds, flus, and copious nasal discharge; sore throats and strep throat. It’s nourishing immune support has kept this in my own weekly infusions for decades!
Red Raspberry
Is considered a nourishing plant; a tonic that increases fertility in both men and women. Among herbalist midwives it’s renown for easing morning sickness and protecting against early miscarriage!
With store customers and in my clinical practice over decades, I have regularly seen wonderful results when women use red raspberry leaf preparations throughout their childbearing year. Botanical texts detail their benefits also, such as Matthew Woods’ Earthwise Herbal, Volume II; A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants:
Balancing menstrual irregularities
Countering uterine weakness
Preventing miscarriage
Reducing morning sickness
To reduce or eliminate pain and bleeding at birth
Protect normal placenta delivery
Reducing afterbirth pains
Enhancing lactation and milk supply
To get the best results with herbs, it helps to understand that botanical medicine is a healing system all it’s own; it does not a mimic allopathic (and pharmaceutical medicine), for instance, NOT “Take this for this.” In drug store medicine, for instance, it would be unlikely to find the same product in both the isles for female and stomach complaints. But herbal action is not necessarily towards a singular symptom or organ, but because of the properties of the herb and nuances of the symptoms. It’s a bigger picture, and worthy of more education through a friendly book* or walk-about with your local community herbalist.
The Botanical Safely Handbook is THE authority on herbal safety. For Red Raspberry leaves it notes: NO contraindications; NO Precautions; NO Drug or supplement interactions; NO Adverse events or side effects.
The Botanical Safely Handbook is THE authority on herbal safety
For Red Raspberry Leaves it notes: NO contraindications- NO Precautions - NO Drug or supplement interactions - NO Adverse events or side effects
Herbalist Susun Weed, adds these details to some of the benefits noted above of drinking a Raspberry leaf brew before and throughout pregnancy :
Providing a safe and speedy parturition “Raspberry leaf works to encourage the uterus to let go and function without tension. It does not strengthen contractions but does allow the contracting uterus to work more effectively and so may make the birth easier and faster.”
Helping to bring down an undelivered placenta (when combined with Ground Ivy or Angelica)
Assisting in production of plentiful breast milk (though she mentions that it’s astringency may counter that for some women.)
“Brewed as a tea or as an infusion, Rubus is the best known, most widely used, and safest of all uterine/pregnancy tonic herbs. It contains fragrine, an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself. Most of the benefits ascribed to regular use of Raspberry leaf tea throughout pregnancy can be traced to the strengthening power of fragrine or to the nourishing power of the vitamins and minerals found in this plant. Of special note are the rich concentrations of vitamin C, the presence of vitamin E, and the easily assimilated calcium and iron. Raspberry leaves also contain vitamins A and B complex and many minerals, including phosphorus and potassium.”
If someone has suffered repeated miscarriages, I suggest working with an experience herbalist practitioner or midwife to help discern if this herb is for you during the first trimester. For your peace of mind, you may prefer to use it as an herbal ally prior to conception.
So what about using red raspberry just at the end of pregnancy? Well, it may indeed help, as it’s action of toning the uterus can be conducive to a more quick and efficient labor. My objection is to the frenetic insistence that this is a dangerous herb, can ‘make the contractions too strong,’ or somehow ‘induce labor naturally.’ This is not a drug, and it’s action is toning and nourishing. Healthy uteruses do usually work very efficiently, and second births are often shockingly swift with or without red raspberry tea. Unfortunately, inducing labor just because a mother is past is her due date even when she and baby are doing fine is now nearly epidemic. I would argue that red raspberry’s best use is not to try and harass your body into going into labor before it’s ready, just because your medical team is threatening to do it with Pitocin. There’s a much bigger issue of lack of informed consent and medical autonomy in these cases.
What’s most important is that pregnant mamas ask questions until they feel comfortable with their options, that they have support for their choices, and they are respected in their decisions.
Red raspberry is also a lovely resource in the postpartum window, helping to restore uterine tone and bring in a healthy milk supply. Many of my clients have found that their ‘pregnancy tea’ becomes a family favorite and continues to be a pleasant way to nourish and boost immunity as they raise their families, too.
Whether you enjoy a cup of tea here and there, or enjoy the big benefits of loose leaf infusions steeped overnight, red raspberry is a wonderful herb for family use through all your seasons. I know that this can seem confusing at first if you’ve never done it before, so I made a little guide that takes you into my kitchen where I introduce you to the basics of making and using herbal teas in yours. I hope to see you there (see link below.)
*Friendly herbal books, generally reliable in overall ways, include:
Body Into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care, by Maria Noel Groves
The Earthwise Herbal Series, by Matthew Wood
The Gift of Healing Herbs: Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life, by Robin Rose Bennett
Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine, by Rosalee De La Foret & Emily Han
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, by Susun S. Weed (oldie by goodie, use in conjunction with one of the first two)