RED RASPBERRY
Although the flavorful fruits of the red raspberry, varieties of Rubus idaeus L. and R. strigosus Michx. (family Rosaceae), were once used rather extensively to give a pleasant taste to various pharmaceutical preparations, it is the leaves of the plants that are still used as a popular folk remedy. The former species is a native of Europe, the latter of North America. Both prickly stemmed shrubs are now widely cultivated in the United States. Raspberry leaves are employed for their astringent and stimulant properties. Supporters recommend a strong infusion (tea) as a gargle or mouthwash for sore mouth and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat, as well as for various wounds and ulcers when applied locally to them. The moistened leaves may also be applied externally as a poultice. Drinking cold raspberry leaf tea as a remedy for diarrhea is said to give immediate relief to that and to various stomach ailments. Incidentally, with one exception, the leaves of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) are used in a similar fashion to raspberry leaves. All of the comments about raspberry's astringent properties apply to both medications. With respect to raspberry leaves, however, it must be noted that tea made from them has acquired a considerable reputation as "the drink" for expectant mothers. In the popular literature, the beverage is praised as a "panacea during pregnancy which is said to do everything from allaying morning sickness to preventing miscarriage to erasing labor pains". Even a reputable scientific reference credits it as a traditional remedy for painful and profuse menstruation and for use before and during confinement. The raspberry leaves' astringent properties for treating sore mouth or diarrhea, etc., are readily explained by an appreciable content of hydrolyzable tannin, containing both gallic and ellagic acids in the free and combined forms. An extract of the leaves has been reported to have little effect on uterine muscles of laboratory animals but, in pregnant rats, inhibited contraction of those muscles. Fractions, with as yet unidentified compounds, have been shown to stimulate smooth muscle action, especially of the uterine muscle. Another fraction was found that reduced uterine contractions. These are very preliminary studies that raise far more questions than answers. Without adequate clinical studies, it is impossible to say if the medication's reputation as a relaxant of the smooth muscles of the uterus and intestine is real or imagined.As with most green leafy plant materials, fresh raspberry leaves contain quantities of vitamin C. How much is present in the commercially available dried leaves depends on the conditions of drying and the manner and time of storage. Raspberry leaves are the most famous of all herbs used during pregnancy. They have both relaxing and toning or astringent actions, with a particular affinity for the uterus. Their astringent and stimulating properties help to strengthen and tone up the uterine and pelvic muscles, while the relaxing and more soothing properties relax the uterus at the same time. Raspberry leaves also tone the mucous membranes throughout the body, soothe the kidneys and urinary tract and are useful for allaying diarrhea and stopping hemorrhage. They have digestive properties which are effective in quelling nausea in pregnancy and are also sedative and relaxant. Throughout history, raspberry leaves have been used principally to encourage a safe, easy and speedy childbirth, as well as afterwards to stimulate milk production and to speed recovery from the birth. Their tonic and relaxant actions on the smooth muscle of the uterus act to reduce the pain of uterine contractions during childbirth and also make the contractions more effective and productive, thereby easing and shortening the duration of the birth. Raspberry leaves are best taken as a warm infusion. From the third month onwards you can take a cupful once a day, and from the sixth month, three times daily. When the birth is imminent, one teaspoon of composition essence can be added to each cup of tea, and, once contractions begin, it should be taken one cupful an hour while you can. Once the digestive system shuts down, sips of the tea, or a few drops on the tongue taken as often as possible will be helpful. Continue with this mixture after the birth, once to three times daily, to tone and strengthen the pelvic tissues. PARTS USED Leaves, fruit. USES Raspberry leaves are still used to encourage easy labor. Although the specific mode of action is unknown, the leaves are thought to strengthen the longitudinal muscles of the uterus, increasing the force of contractions and thereby hastening childbirth. A decoction of raspberry leaves may be used to relieve diarrhea. The leaves also find use as an astringent external remedy -as an eyewash for conjunctivitis, a mouthwash for mouth problems, or a lotion for ulcers, wounds, or excessive vaginal discharge. The fruit is nutritious and mildly astringent.
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