What Is Red Raspberry Tea?

Red raspberries, also known as Rubus idaeus, raspberry and wild raspberry, are native to the United States, but are grown in other countries including Canada. Red raspberry tea is not made from the fruit, but is made from the dried leaves of the red raspberry plant. The leaves taste like black tea, but without the caffeine.

Nutrition

• Raspberry leaves contain vitamin C and calcium. They are also a good source of other minerals and vitamins including: iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins A, B complex, and E. Red raspberry components include flavonoids (plant pigments with nutritional properties), tannins and ellagic acid (polyphenol antioxidants). The highest antioxidant content is in raspberry leaves gathered before the bushes flower in spring.

Use in Pregnancy

• As an infusion, or a tea, raspberry leaf is a commonly used tonic for women who are either pregnant, or trying to become so. The raspberry leaf improves contractions, decreases constipation and tones the uterus. Its nutrients also help with prevention of leg cramps, anemia and morning sickness. Raspberry leaf is not considered an oxytocic herb, so it is not used to start contractions. Rather, it helps strengthen uterine and pelvic muscles to improve efficiency during labor.

Other Uses

• Historic uses of raspberry tea include sore throat, diarrhea and postpartum depression. For centuries, red raspberry tea treated canker sores, cold sores and gingivitis, anemia, leg cramps, diarrhea and rhinovirus (common cold). Other uses include rubbing the tea as an astringent on skin or orally as a mouthwash.

Common Dosages

• Although not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, a common dose is 2 to 3 teaspoons of dried, chopped leaves steeped for 10 minutes in 5 to 8 ounces of boiling water to make the tea. Before pregnancy, a typical dose is 2 cups per day. During the first two trimesters, women should abstain from drinking the tea, but at 35 weeks (only upon physician's approval), 2 cups per day may tone muscles and reduce labor pains.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Raspberry leaf might adversely affect infants. Women who are breast-feeding must not use it. Diabetics should also be careful, since the tea may drastically lower blood sugar levels. Women who have endometriosis, uterine fibroids and those who have breast, ovarian or uterine cancer should avoid the tea as it can affect estrogen levels. Men with prostate cancer may experience adverse effects, and the tannins in red raspberry leaf tea may interfere with vitamin and drug absorption.