The Consumer Guide to Raspberry
In this guide...Traditional Uses
Modern Uses
Recent findings
Do scientists know how it works?
Types of products
Safety
References
Raspberry Abstracts
Browse Our Wide Selection of Raspberry Products
Raspberry (Rhubus idaeus, R. strigosus) Traditional Uses: Modern Uses: Recent Findings: Do Scientists Know how it works?
raspberry contains the alkaloid fragrine, which may relax certain pelvic muscles and promote uterine health. Ellagic acid, which also occurs in strawberries, grapes, and black currants, has antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. Raspberry also contains flavonoids including quercetin; tannins; polypeptides; and vitamin C, calcium, and other nutrients.
Types of Products: Saftey:
Raspberry is native to Europe (R. idaeus) and North America (R. strigosus) and has been used for similar medicinal purposes in both areas. It is likely that the sweet red berries have been eaten as a fruit since the dawn of humanity. The leaves, the fruits, and to a lesser extent the root have also been used medicinally, most prominently to treat diarrhea and as a tonic herb for pregnant women.
Raspberry leaf tea has traditionally been used as a woman's herb to control heavy menstrual bleeding, reduce the risk of miscarriage, and promote a healthy pregnancy. A folk remedy for minor mouth sores is to gargle with raspberry leaf tea. The Chinese traditionally used raspberry leaves for diarrhea, stomach ailments, muscle pain, and other conditions. Raspberry has also been recognized as a topical remedy for use on burns and wounds.
Many women today rely upon raspberry leaf tea as a tonic herb during the late stages of pregnancy. It seems to help prevent morning sickness, tone uterine muscles, reduce pain during labor, and ease childbirth. Along with blackberry, raspberry is recognized to be rich in astringent tannins that can have a beneficial effect on diarrhea. Raspberry may also help to prevent or treat:
• common cold and flu
• sore throat
• bleeding gums
• Researchers who conducted a field study found that raspberry was one of the most important medicinal plants of the Carrier, a native people of northcentral British Columbia.
• Raspberry juice was one of twenty vegetable and fruit juices tested that showed antimutagenic activity against benzo[a]pyrene, which is a mutagen and carcinogen.
• Researchers in Mexico found that ellagic acid, a phenolic compound that occurs naturally in raspberries, inhibited the mutagenicity of a strain of aflatoxin.
Raspberry is available in capsules, liquid extracts, chewable tablets, bulk tea, and tea bags. It is sometimes combined with ginger or other herbs. Raspberry is a common ingredient in formulas for:
• PMS, menopause, women's sexual enhancement, women's detoxification, women's balance, and women's bones.
Raspberry is nontoxic in average doses. Large amounts have been known to cause upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea. It is widely used by pregnant women and is not thought to cause uterine contractions or other adverse effects during pregnancy, though some herbalists recommend that it be used with caution during the first two trimesters.