Raspberry Leaf Tea for Periods, Pregnancy and Postpartum Care
We all know the berries are delicious, but did you know that you can make tea from the leaves of raspberry shrubs? Not only does it make a delicious tea, it also comes with some major health benefits for periods, pregnancy and postpartum care.
Raspberry Leaf Tea for Periods
Painful, irregular periods are a common concern that people come in to see me for. Unfortunately in our society, most people are expected to “grin and bear it” and continue on with their responsibilities. But you don’t have to suffer through painful periods every month. There are a lot of things you can do to help alleviate the pain, taking raspberry leaf tea is a great place to start!
Raspberry leaf is considered a uterine tonic. It’s been shown to improve pelvic circulation and help reduce muscle spasms that often cause painful periods. Raspberry leaf is also high in calcium and magnesium, which can help regulate and ease muscle contractions. It is also high in iron which helps to replenish the iron lost during menses. Win win!
Raspberry Leaf Tea for Pregnancy
Raspberry leaf tea is high in antioxidants and vital minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and selenium that are important to take for a healthy pregnancy. Raspberry leaf is also considered a “partus preparator” which means that it can prepare the uterus for birth. In fact, a study based in Australia found that women who took raspberry leaf in their third trimesters had a shorter labour time and a decreased risk of pre and post-term gestation.
The study also revealed that women who ingest raspberry leaf might be less likely to receive an artificial rupture of their membranes, or require a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth than the women in the control group. All great reasons to enjoy a few cups of raspberry leaf tea daily. Please note that raspberry leaf tea should not be taken in the first trimester and is best started after 16 weeks gestation.
Raspberry Leaf Tea for Postpartum Care
Raspberry leaf tea is not only rich in important micronutrients, but it also contains beneficial tannins. Tannins help to tone and tighten tissues. This is particularly important for the uterus after being stretched for 9 months to accommodate your little one’s development. The tannins within raspberry leaf tea can assist your uterus in returning back to its original size, which can also help with afterpains in the postpartum period.
The tannins within raspberry leaf have also been shown to prevent excessive bleeding after birth. This is why it is often recommended to continue drinking red raspberry leaf tea after birth and well into the postpartum period.
There are many reasons and opportunities to benefit from red raspberry leaf tea. You can book an appointment with me to make sure it is a safe choice for you, and to discover what else you can be doing to optimize your health!
This information is for educational purposes only. Speak with your healthcare provider to ensure these suggestions would be safe for you.
References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/red-raspberry-leaf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0095454317300374
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0095454309000876