Raspberry leaf tea benefits
If you're looking for a herbal tea that’s tasty and potentially beneficial for your health—especially during pregnancy—raspberry leaf tea might be on your radar. Enjoyed for centuries, it continues to gain attention, particularly for its possible role in childbirth preparation. Here's what you need to know.
What is raspberry leaf tea?
Raspberry leaf tea is made from the leaves of the raspberry plant. While the fruit is praised for its rich vitamin content, the leaves are packed with nutrients too. They've long been used in traditional herbal medicine.
Health benefits of raspberry leaf tea
These leaves have been part of herbal remedies for generations. Raspberry leaf tea is especially rich in antioxidants—compounds that help fight free radicals in the body. These free radicals can damage cells and have been linked to various chronic diseases. Raspberry leaves contain compounds like tannins and flavonoids that offer antioxidant effects.
Raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy
For over 200 years, raspberry leaf tea has been known in parts of the U.S. as a 'uterine tonic'. It's still popular today, especially among people seeking natural support during pregnancy. Just make sure to choose 100% raspberry leaf tea—not raspberry-flavoured versions.
Potential raspberry leaf tea benefits in pregnancy and labour
- May help shorten labour: Raspberry leaves contain fragarine, a compound believed to help tone the pelvic muscles and prepare the uterus for birth. Some evidence suggests it could lead to shorter labour durations when consumed after 32 weeks of pregnancy.
- Could ease pregnancy nausea: Raspberry leaf tea is often used in the second and third trimesters to manage nausea during pregnancy.
- Might reduce the need for interventions: Research indicates women who drank raspberry leaf tea in late pregnancy had fewer interventions such as forceps during birth. One study even showed an 11% reduction in forceps use among tea drinkers.
Raspberry leaf tea side effects
Drinking the tea daily is generally considered safe, but caution is advised, particularly in early pregnancy. Raspberry leaf has diuretic and mild laxative effects, which could affect digestion or bathroom frequency. When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife before adding it to your routine.
How to make raspberry leaf tea
Brewing raspberry leaf tea is simple whether you buy it pre-packaged or harvest it yourself. Here’s how to make it using fresh leaves:
- Pick and rinse your raspberry leaves.
- Boil a cup of water in a saucepan.
- Add a handful of the leaves and let boil for about one minute.
- Turn off the heat and allow the tea to steep for ten minutes.
- Optional: Mash fresh raspberries in your mug for colour and sweetness, then strain in the tea and stir.
Breastfeeding tea
According to the American Pregnancy Association, raspberry leaf tea might support breast milk production, making it a potential choice for breastfeeding individuals. However, more studies are needed to confirm this benefit.
Fertility tea
Some anecdotal evidence suggests raspberry leaf—especially the wild variety—could aid fertility. With high calcium content and uterine tonic properties, it’s viewed by some clinics as a natural fertility aid, though scientific backing is still limited.
Other alternative pregnancy teas
If raspberry leaf tea isn't the right fit, several other herbal teas may be suitable during pregnancy, such as:
- peppermint tea
- chamomile tea
- dandelion tea
- alfalfa tea
- oat straw tea
- nettle leaf tea
- slippery elm bark tea
- rooibos tea
The final say
Raspberry leaf tea may support several aspects of pregnancy, from easing nausea to potentially reducing labour time. Like coffee or other strong herbal teas, it's best to limit consumption to two cups per day since its safety in higher amounts hasn't been established. Not pregnant? It can still be a great herbal tea to add variety to your pantry.