Brewed as a tea, red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) strengthens and tones the uterus and decreases constipation. Red Raspberry Leaf contains many minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C and calcium. It also contains an alkaloid called fragrine, which is the active ingredient that lends tone to the uterus.

When to take rasberry leaf tea

Do not take rasberry leaf tea in the first 3 months of your pregnancy. It's best to start at 34 weeks with one cup a day for the first week, 2 cups daily in the second week and 3 cups daily from then until your baby is born. It will also help the uterus to contract and strengthen in the first 2 weeks or so after the birth.

What does red raspberry leaf do?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that drinking rasberry leaf tea daily in the last weeks of pregnancy may reduce the duration and the pain of childbirth. It is thought to work by strengthening the longitudinal muscles of the uterus to increase the force of uterine contractions. Red Raspberry leaf does not start labour or promote contractions. It is NOT an emmenagogue or oxytocic herb. What it does is help strengthen the pelvic and uterine muscles so that once labour starts, the contractions are likely to be more efficient.

Tea recipe To make a tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons of herb and steep for ten minutes. Strain. You can mix this tea with peppermint, spearmint, lemon verbena or rose hip tea to enhance the flavour. Sweeten with honey. Drink 1-3 cups per day.

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