Plant Profile: Red Raspberry Leaf, Rubus Idaeus

Common Name: Red Raspberry Leaf, Raspberry Leaf, Wild Raspberry, Raspberry

Botanical Name: Rubus Idaeus, R. strigosus, R. parviflorus

Plant Family: Rosaceae

Growth: Perennial, zones 3-9, full sun to partial shade, well drained soil

Parts Used: Leaf, flower, berry

Main Constituents: Tannins, Fragarine, polypeptides, minerals

Key Properties: Astringent, antinauseant, antimicrobial, antiabortifacient, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, hemostatic, parturient, tonic

Red Raspberry Leaf

We all know of delicious red raspberries, succulent and sweet with a tangy bite.

But did you know that the leaves of the raspberry plant are used as a traditional medicine for any tissue that needs toning, and for women's health?

The nutrients contained in the leaves are in a balance that promotes relaxation and optimal electrolyte balance, and a tea made from these leaves tastes similar to black tea though a little more mild and herbaceous.

Content of some of the nutrients found in one ounce of raspberry leaf:


408 mg calcium
446 mg potassium
106 mg magnesium
3.3 mg iron
4 mg manganese


(Bergner, 2001).

This nutrient profile of Red Raspberry leaves suggests that it a great herb to have dried on hand or growing on your property.

Tannins and Fragarine

Found in the leaves and other parts of many plants including red raspberry, tannins are water soluble polyphenols that have antimicrobial and astringent properties and account for much of red raspberry leaf's health benefits.

Tannins have been shown to reduce intestinal inflammation and stop diarrhea through their astringent properties, as well as in other soft tissue areas of the body that need toning.

This action, along with being antinausient, makes raspberry leaf tea mixed with lemon and honey a great option for combating gastrointestinal upsets.

Traditionally red raspberry has been used along with blackberry leaves in mouthwash and throat gargles. The astringent activity tightens tissues, which can reduce inflammation and pain while antimicrobial action battles the cause.

The same strong tea or herbal infusion used as an oral rinse can be used externally as a facial toner or wound cleanser.

I mainly use Red Raspberry Leaf dried and in tea for uterine toning. It can be bought powdered and encapsulated labeled for the same purpose.

Fragarine is an alkaloid discovered in 1941 that is an inhibitor of uterine action, which means it can tone and relax the muscles of the uterus at the same time.

This can have the effect of lessening menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding, and many midwives recommend raspberry leaf tea for use in pregnancy, stating that it can lesson the duration of labor.

There have been many animal studies showing the effects of Fragarine on the uterus, but limited human trails have been done.

That being said, Native North Americans have been using the wild variety, rubus strigosus, for hundreds of years as a traditional medicine, and its use has been documented in western medicinal writings since the 16th century.

Growing Raspberries for Leaves and Fruit

Around my home Wild Red Raspberry is one of the most prevalent medicinal plants I am fortunate enough to have growing freely. It even grows abundantly underneath my deck, though berries are hard to come by with such little sunshine.

If you don't have raspberry growing nearby and would like to, for the luscious friut or the medicinal leaves, you can easily find raspberry canes of all varieties in gardening centers.

When you have acquired some canes, prepare the planting site by digging holes at least as deep and wide as the pots you purchased. Choose a sunny area for best fruit production, though you'll still get fruit from partial sun area plantings. I like to enrich all planting holes with comfrey tea, though this is optional. Plant your canes and water well. Tuck a rich soil or compost around the newly planted roots and canes and mulch to lock in moisture and soil nutrients. Cut the above ground canes down to 4 inches so that the plant will focus on sending out new roots and side canes. You'll get new side canes every year. There are ever-bearing or fall bearing varieties that produce fruit on first year canes (primocanes), though most varieties of raspberries produce fruit on second year canes (floricanes).
The following summer after planting, harvest leaves from these first year canes for medicine, leaving half to ensure the health of the plant. In the second year of floricane varities, these new canes will grow flowers and berries, then they will die and need to be pruned out. You can use all the leaves from these after fruit production has ceased. As a perennial, with good maintenance and a little time you will have an ever expanding raspberry patch with more than enough leaves for medicine and berries for nourishment and pleasure.

Raspberry Leaf Tea

To make Raspberry Leaf tea at home, you simply need dried or fresh leaves, boiled water, and a vessel.

I like to make mine fairly strong so I use about a large handful of dried leaves to three cups boiled water.

Pour boiling water over leaves, steep for 5 minutes, pour liquid into mug and enjoy with milk and honey, plain, or allow to cool and add ice and lemon for a very refreshing drink.

Additional Reading and Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2162889/pdf/brmedj04059-0008.pdf

http://genesisschoolofnaturalhealth.org/red-raspberry-leaf/

http://www.vibrantlife.com/?p=112

https://theherbalacademy.com/3-raspberry-leaf-benefits-for-women/

https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/grow-your-own-raspberries

First image from Pixabay

Do you grow and use Red Raspberry leaves in your home?

Let me know in the comments below!

Take Care,
@amymya

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