Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

I have heard about the use of red raspberry leaf tea for period pain. I heard that it helped regulate the flow, making it easier on those women who were suffering from a heavy flow. I hadn't heard about the use for pregnant women until about four years ago. In a doula training class, we were introduced to herbs and remedies useful for the perinatal period (meaning the pregnancy, birth and postpartum timeline). The Birth Conspiracy was the basis for our curriculum, written by our teacher Rivka Cymbalist. The book offers some practical uses for herbs and their effects. 
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"Red raspberry leaf tea is thought to strengthen the uterine muscle, calm the digestion an regulate blood sugar." -R. Cymbalist

What are the benefits of taking red raspberry leaf tea? 

• Shorter labour with less forceps delieveries when mothers drank red raspberry leaf tea in the 4 weeks of pregnancy. (Simpson, 2001)
• May help with leg cramps, nausea & postpartum healing of uterus and birth canal. (High in vitamins: B & C, iron and calcium, magnesium & potassium)
• A strengthened uterus: making labour contractions more regular and efficient. Although the scientific research does not confirm a huge difference in contraction strength.

When should I take red raspberry leaf tea?
As a doula, I recommend doing your own research and speaking with your health care professionals or trusted herbalists before beginning any herbal regimen. That being said, there are conflicting experts that suggest drinking the tea during the whole pregnancy and postpartum healing period, while others say simply the last 4 weeks will do. The general recommendation is to drink 1-3 cups daily in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy and during postpartum recovery. Ideally a cup a day easing up to 3 cups a day. 

How to drink red raspberry leaf tea?
The red raspberry leaves must be steeped in boiled water for at 15-30 minutes before drinking. The tea can be drunk hot or cold, with sweeteners or alone. 

​My personal recipe:

• 2 tea bags of organic red raspberry leaf tea
• 1 litre mason jar
• 1 litre boiling water

Boil water. Add to tea bags in the mason jar and let steep on the counter overnight or for an hour or so.
Keep the jar a day ahead in the fridge and drink it cold with ice.