- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and northern Asia; related species in North America. Rubus idaeus
Europe · Food · № 90
Rubus idaeus
Food · Europe
Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.
Safety notes
Use raspberry leaf in pregnancy only in consultation with a midwife or doctor.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not early in pregnancy.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Seek advice in pregnancy.
Preparation
Fruit fresh; leaf as tea or gargle. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Ody describes raspberry-leaf tea as a traditional European remedy around childbirth. Native North Americans also used wild raspberry leaves for similar purposes.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Astringent, prepares for childbirth, stimulating, aids digestion, tonic, diuretic, laxative.
Preparation and amount
Leaf tea, one cup a day in the last 6–8 weeks of pregnancy, and plenty of warm tea during labour; for mild diarrhoea; mouthwash for mouth ulcers and sore throat; wash for wounds and varicose ulcers; eye bath; raspberry vinegar (500 g in 1 l vinegar, 2 weeks) in cough remedies and gargles.
Caution: Not early in pregnancy.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Astringent, stimulating, tonic, cleansing; strengthens the womb (menstruation, preparing for childbirth and recovering afterwards), heals the stomach and gut lining, helps with stubborn constipation.
Preparation and amount
Leaf tea: 2 tsp per cup, 10–12 min, 1–3 cups a day; tincture 1–3 dropperfuls 1–3 times a day.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For kidney complaints and painful urination, for the blood and for a woman weakened by her periods.
Preparation and amount
Boil leaves or root tips briefly.
Caution: Seek advice in pregnancy.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Strength, courage, healing.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Preparation and amount
Fruit for salads and smoothies.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)TinctureSyrup, honey and oxymelPowder and kitchen