Uses for a Red Raspberry Leaf

Red raspberry leaf is an old-time folk remedy, giving many different health benefits. It is an herb that can be found growing wild throughout the North American continent, making it quite easy to access. Found in health food shops in the form of tea or loose dried leaves, or grown in a backyard garden, this herb can be used for a multitude of not just health, but cosmetic benefits as well. It can also be enjoyed as a tasty thirst-quenching and relaxing tea.

Fertility in Women

• The red raspberry leaf can be used to increase fertility in women. It is known to strengthen the lining of the uterus due to its skin-tightening effects, making the luteal phase, the phase that increases the likelihood of conceiving a baby, longer. It can be taken by a woman throughout the duration of her menstrual cycle until conception is achieved, then continued throughout the pregnancy to further reap the benefits of this herb.

Cosmetic Uses

• The red raspberry leaf has multiple cosmetic benefits. One cosmetic use for this herb is as an astringent, as it aids in tightening up the skin, thus making it more firm and wrinkle-free. Because of this, it is used as an ingredient in a variety of different anti-ageing products. These leaves contain a high concentration of nutrients which include flavonoids, polypeptides and tannins, which is why the red raspberry leaf is know to aid in the regeneration of skin.

Diarrhea

• Because of the strong astringent qualities of this herb, it can be used as a drying agent, and this includes within the whole body. According to the Medical Center of the University of Maryland, it clears up the excess of mucous within the intestines and digestive system, relieving diarrhea and the cramps associated with it. To use it for this purpose, it is best consumed in the form of a tea.

Pregnancy

• Raspberry leaves have properties that tone the body, and this includes the muscles of the uterus. According to the British Medical Journal Lancet, raspberry leaves contain fragine, which is a substance that naturally relaxes the muscles of the uterus and aids in a faster and less tedious child birth. An intake of raspberry leaves in the form of tea on a regular basis throughout the duration of pregnancy can also shorten the length of recovering afterwards. Raspberry leaf tea can be purchased ready for steeping, or it can be made very simply by pouring a cup a boiling water over 2 tsp. of raspberry leaves. Allow it to steep for 15 minutes and enjoy.