Red Raspberry Leaf

Jul 11

6 min read

Raspberry leaf is one of the most nutritive herbs out there for building all systems in the body, including the immune system. When someone is not feeling well, this is the first herb I turn to, to strengthen the body and get the systems back in working condition. It is a great addition to any herbal blend.

Printable for Herbal

Rubus idaeus

Family: Rosaceae - rose

Parts used: leaves

What's in a Name - Rubus idaeus

Rubus - translates directly from Latin to “bramble”. It may also be rooted in the Latin word ruber, meaning “red”.
idaeus - named for the Legend of Ida (see myths and folklore section)
strigosus (wild raspberry) - means "with bristles"

Common Name: Raspberry

Comes from the Latin word raspis, meaning rough or hairy fruit.

Sisters with similar properties:

Thimbleberry (R. parviflorus)

Black raspberry (R. occidentalis)

Dewberry (trailing species)

Blackberry or brambleberry (Rubus allegheniensis, though easily crossbred there

hundreds of distinct species)

Salmonberry

Marionberry

History

These ancient civilizations all included raspberry leaf as part of their healing practices: Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Ayurvedic physicians.
King Edward the 1^st (1272-1307) was said to have begun mass cultivation which spread through Europe.
First appeared in the English herbal, The Herbal, or A General History of Plants by John Norton in the year 1597.
First Europeans to the America’s saw the Native’s using the wild variety as they introduced the cultivated plant native to Europe.
The first commercial nursery plants were sold in 1771 by William Price.
During Medieval times raspberry juice was used in paintings and illuminations.
Early Christian artwork used raspberries to symbolize kindness. “Its red juice invoked the energy of the blood which runs from the heart and carries love, nutrition, and kindness through the body.”
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson cultivated raspberries on their estates.
Colonists replaced their tea with raspberry leaf and sage during the tea tax boycott in 1773.

Actions

Alterative

Anti-Inflammatory

Antiabortive

Anti-Emetic

Antiseptic

Antispasmodic

Astringent

Cathartic

Diuretic

Emmenagogue

Hemostatic

Nutritive

Parturient

Stimulant

Stomachic

Tonic

Uterine Tonic (fragarine)

Energetics/Body Systems Affected

Cooling

Drying

Digestive

Urinary

Circulatory

Uterus

Mucus

Energy:

Use for damp heat, Chi conditions

Constituents/Nutrients

Calcium

Ferulic acid (relaxes)

Flavonoids

Iron

Manganese

Niacin

Polypeptides

Salvestrols (in the berry-anticancer)

Tannin

Vitamin B, C, E

Leaf Uses

Drink the tea to replenish lost fluids and nutrients when sick with vomiting and diarrhea.
Restores vitality after prolonged illness.
Anemia and other blood conditions; works as a blood cleanser while being high in iron and other nutrients to build the blood.
Sore throat, colds, fever, flu, etc.
Mouth sores, cankers, spongy gums; use as a mouth wash then swallow.
Tones and strengthens the stomach and bowels.
Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, etc.
Appendix complaints
Nourishes and supports all glands
Prostate and urinary tonic, may be helpful for bed wetting
Hemorrhoids, ulcers, abscesses
Infant issues; colic, jaundice, thrush
Wounds, cuts, burns, rashes, and oozing skin conditions.
Supports ligaments, cartilage, skin, hair, bones, and nails.
Acne; take internally as well as using the tea as a facial toner.
Infection in the body or on the skin
Inflamed mucous membranes
Use as an eyewash/rinse for sore, inflamed, infected eyes.
Has been known to stabilize the pancreas making is useful for diabetics.

Maternal Admiration by William Adolphe Bouguereau

“A tea made from Red Raspberry leaves is the best gift God ever gave to women.”

Henry Box, Quaker herbalist, 1845-1916, England

The Woman's Herb

Red Raspberry leaf tea can be consumed before, during and after pregnancy to strengthen and tone the uterus, balance hormones and bring relief to the pain of cramps and/or labor. Make a quart of tea at the beginning of the day and sip on it all day long.

Uterine tonic – daily support for women’s health
PMS symptoms, cramps, excess bleeding, etc.
Fibroids
Endometriosis
Miscarriage prevention
Hot flashes
Pregnancy, birth, and after birth support
Before pregnancy: prepares the body by feeding the proper nutrients to the reproductive system and other body systems so they are ready and in prime condition when the time comes for conception.
During pregnancy: tones the uterus, uterine hemorrhage, assists contractions and labor, relieves after birth pains, and enriches milk.*
PMS: helps alleviate all symptoms of PMS, decrease menstrual flow, relieves painful cramps, hot flashes, balances hormones.
Prolapsed or enlarged uterus, fibroids, endometriosis

“When taken regularly in pregnancy, the infusion will quiet inappropriate premature pains and produce a safe, speedy, and easy delivery. Raspberry leaves, stimulate, tone, and regulate before and during childbearing, assisting contractions and checking hemorrhage during labor, relieving after-pains, then strengthening, cleansing, and enriching the milk of the mother in the post-delivery period.” -Dr. John R. Christopher

*Some herbalists suggest only using after the first trimester, consult with your midwife.

Berry Use

High in antioxidants and minerals (promotes healthy body function)
Strengthens and cleanses blood
Indigestion, antacid action, mild laxative
Cooling for overheating and fever

“The berries are eaten in the summertime, as an afternoons dish, to please the taste of the sick as well as the sound.” John Parkinson, 1629 English Herbalist

Herb Preparations

Tea - the best way to utilize the properties of this herb, make a quart of tea in the morning and sip on it throughout the day. Use 2 Tbsp dry leaf or 4 fresh per pint of hot water. Let steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain and sip throughout the day.
Extract, syrup
Poultice, compress (skin conditions and wounds)
Washes; gargle, eye, external
Douche - this puts the nutrients right in the place it is needed for uterus issues.
When blended it puffs up and out rather than turning to a powder making it difficult to make capsules and sprinkles.

Care/Harvesting

Raspberries are a perennial plant that act like a biennial, the canes producing the berries for the year are cut off in the fall and new canes are produced for the next years berries.

Plant in sandy soil, rich in organic matter in full sun.
It is a good idea to plant in rows about 2-3 feet apart, the plants themselves space about every 18"- 2 feet.
Water regularly, they like to be moist but well drained
Keep mulched and all weeds and grass at bay. Lay a thick layer of compost down each fall, at least 3"
Train the canes up a fence, trellis, or stakes with trimmer line or wire strung between them.
The leaves can be harvested anytime. (I've read harvesting while flowering is most potent, but I've also read before flowering and after going to fruit is best, so take your pick :)) Don’t take more than a third of the plant.
Leaves can also be harvested from the new shoots the plant sends out that are pruned each spring and fall.
Only use leaves that are fresh and green, do not use brown, spotted, bug eaten, or bruised leaves.

Safety

Many herbalists encourage use all throughout pregnancy but a few advocate for waiting until after the first trimester. Consult with your midwife or doctor if pregnant.

Symbolism

Remorse (from Language of Flowers)
Love: heart-like shape and red color
Protection: thick bramble thickets
Fertility and abundance: bountiful nature
Health, energy, and good fortune
Kindness: used symbolically in Christian art, with their red juice representing blood that runs through the heart, which is believed to be the source of kindness.
Passion

Venus and Anchises by Sir William Black Richmond

Myths and Legends

Greek Raspberry Legend: Ida, daughter of the King of Crete, was looking after her infant, Jupiter, while picking white berries upon the mountainside. The babe made so much noise Ida became distracted and pricked her finger which caused blood to flow on the white berries turning them red. They have remained so ever since – and still continue to grow on the slopes of Mt. Ida in modern Crete. The name idaeus comes from the mountain, Ida, where the berries grow in abundance and this legend that follows it.