Red Raspberry Leaves 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Red Raspberry Leaves – 100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:

Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years. It has astringent and stimulant properties and is a popular remedy for many ailments. The most common use of raspberry leaves is as a uterine tonic. It has the ability to relax tight uterine muscles and tighten relaxed uterine muscles. This has led to its use as a stimulant at the beginning of labor to make labor easier. Raspberry leaf also has been used for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract, the cardiovascular system, the mouth and throat, and for skin rashes and inflammation. It also has been used for influenza, fever, menstrual problems, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, as a diuretic, and to purify the skin and blood. However, raspberry leaf is on the German Commission E unapproved list because these purported uses have not been documented.

Burns. Raspberry leaf contains tannins, which may stop burns from oozing. The tannins cause proteins in healing skin to cross-link and form an impermeable barrier. However, human data are lacking for the use of raspberry leaf to treat burns.

Diarrhea. The tannins in raspberry leaf prevent the flow of fluids into the intestines, which makes the stool more solid. Used as a tea, in doses of one to two cups, raspberry leaf helps to relieve diarrhea without stimulating contractions.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Raspberry leaf contains tannins and flavonoids, which help the uterus relax to relieve menstrual cramps. At the same time as it relaxes the uterus itself, it stimulates the muscles that support the uterus. This may allow easier menstrual flow.

Sore throat. Its astringent properties justify using raspberry leaf tea as a mouthwash and gargle for mouth or throat inflammation.

Recommended Use

Raspberry leaf is used as a tea. It is available as a bottled beverage in many health food stores. (Do not confuse raspberry leaf teas with sweetened, raspberry-flavored drinks.) Raspberry leaf can produce a more consistent rhythm of uterine contractions during labor; it has been used by women in late stages of pregnancy. However, it should not be used by pregnant women because there are not enough sound scientific and safety data. It should not be used during breast-feeding. Raspberry leaf may produce changes in blood pressure (both high and low), and if used chronically may be carcinogenic due to its high tannin content.

Botanical Name: Rubus idaeus
English: Raspberry
Also, known as: American Raspberry, American red raspberry, Hind berry, Wild Red Raspberry, Gray leaf red raspberry
Habitat: North America and Europe
Origin: Ukraine
Harvested: Wild or cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Rubus idaeus is a deciduous shrub growing to 6 feet by 5 feet at a medium rate. Red raspberry is our common raspberry. It produces canes that last two years, are sterile in their first year, and produce delicious berries in their second year. Grows in hedges, fields, abandoned lots, and thickets. Common throughout most of North America. In its first year, a new, unbranched stem grows vigorously to its full height of 5-8 feet, bearing large pinnately compound leaves with five or seven leaflets, but usually no flowers. its second year, a stem does not grow taller but produces several side shoots, which bear smaller leaves with three or five leaflets. Leaves are alternate and compound with 3 or 5 leaflets, mostly in 3s on flowering stems and pinnately in 5s on non-flowering stems. Leaflets are egg-shaped to oblong, the center leaflet is stalked and sometimes 2 or 3 lobed, the lateral leaflets stalkless and unlobed, typically 1.0 3.5 inches long, 1-2 inches wide, with a long taper to a slender, pointed tip and rounded to heart-shaped at the base. Edges are single or double-toothed, the upper surface dark green, sparsely hairy to smooth, lower surface silvery and densely hairy. Small, white, cup-shaped flowers grow in loose clusters of five at the tips and upper leaf axils of 1-year old stems. Flowers are white, around half an inch across with 5 mostly erect, oblong to narrowly spatula-shaped petals that tend to fall off early. Fruits, Fruit is around to cone-shaped cluster, about half inch in diameter of fleshy drupelets, turning purplish red and easily separating from the receptacle when mature.

To help differentiate plants from blackberries if berries are not present, raspberry brambles are much smaller than blackberry, averaging only 5 feet. Raspberries tend to have more prickles than blackberries, but blackberry prickles are more substantial.

How to use:
Hot Infusion:
The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop moulds.