Red Raspberry Leaf Tea Uses
Red raspberry leaf tea remains a favorite folk remedy for a number of health issues. Look for raspberry leaf tea in health food stores. Alternatively, make your own by drying wild or cultivated raspberry leaves and storing them in an airtight container for year-round use. Raspberry leaf tea makes a comforting hot tea in the cold months, and a tangy iced drink for the summer. As always, talk to your physician before attempting any herbal self-treatment. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Diarrhea
-
Prized for their astringent qualities, raspberry leaves act as drying agents in the intestine, clearing up excessive mucous, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The center suggests brewing 1 tsp. of dried blackberry or raspberry leaves for every cup of water. Allow the mixture to steep for five to 10 minutes before straining and drinking. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends drinking a ½ cup of tea every hour to treat diarrhea.
Menstrual Cramps
-
Raspberry leaf tea remains a classic remedy for menstrual cramps. Prepare the tea as discussed in the section above and drink one or two cups a day. Dr. Andrew Weil also recommends the tea for those suffering from menstrual cramps associated with endometriosis. Raspberry leaves appear to work by relaxing the muscles of the uterus, which can painfully contract during the menstrual cycle. Health food stores contain several brands of "PMS teas" containing raspberry leaves.
-
Pregnancy Tea
-
Because raspberry leaves have toning properties, they appear to actually work the uterine muscles, preparing them for the difficult work of childbirth and recovery. Many women drink hot or cold raspberry teas in the latter months of their pregnancies.
Teas sold as "pregnancy teas" often contain all or part raspberry leaves, and with good reason, according to the American Pregnancy Association. "Medical studies have shown that red raspberry leaf can be consumed safely during pregnancy and can decrease the length of labor and decrease the number of interventions used such as artificial rupture of membranes, assisted delivery, and cesarean delivery," the Association's website states. "Red raspberry leaf also seems to help prevent pregnancies from pre- or post-term gestation (delivering too early or too late)."
To be extra safe, the American Pregnancy Association recommends drinking the tea only during the second and third trimester--after checking with your obstetrician, of course.
Topical Applications
-
In addition to its toning qualities when taken internally, infusions of raspberry leaves make excellent toners for the complexion when applied topically. Either use leftover cooled berry leaf tea as a face splash or make one specifically for rinsing your face. "[Raspberry leaves] may be used for their highly astringent and skin-toning properties [and are] excellent for oily, large-pored 'dirty' skin," notes herbal skin care expert Dina Falconi.
Mouth Rinse
-
Cool raspberry leaf tea is a traditional remedy for cold sores, fever blisters and sore throats. Prepare the tea as usual, allow to cool and strain the leaves. Use the cooled liquid as a gargle to treat mouth and throat ailments. Keep the cooled tea in the refrigerator to gargle throughout the day; make a new batch every day to ensure effectiveness.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Bush of a raspberry image by amlet from Fotolia.com
