Raspberry Leaf Tea

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

The other day, I picked up a box of Traditional Medicinals Raspberry Leaf tea at the grocery store. It just looked damned tasty to me... I suppose the alleged benefits to the female reproductive system are just perks :)

Of course, because it's the US and herbal remedies are severely restricted by the FDA, I don't know exactly what it's supposed to be used for, what it does, and when I shouldn't drink it. Will it interfere with my birth control pills? Can I 'overdose'? (I think I went through about 6 cups yesterday... yum).

I'm not too familiar with herbal remedies, so forgive my ignorance. ;P It's tasty as hell, though, so I'd hate to have to give it up because it's eating my birth control pill alive, or something.

Thanks
<3 Jenn

Comments

[krasota.livejournal.com]

If it's just plain old raspberry leaf, it's rather bitter. Use some sugar and you'll be fine.

I used to use it to alleviate cramps and PMS bloating symptoms. It worked fairly well. I used it when I was on the pill and didn't have any problems.

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

As far as I know, all that's in it is crushed and dried raspberry leaf. Tastes fine to me, and I don't put anything in it.

And at least now I know it does something. The claims on the box were rather... vague and amphorus. "Used for centuries by midwives and naturopaths.... 'tones the uterus' (what is it doing in there, lifting weights?)... used by Native American women as a treatment for irregular menses..."

Thanks :)

[weirdchylde.livejournal.com]

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/raspbe05.html

it's mostly about the raspberry itself, but it has a bit about the leaf. hope it helps. this entire database has very good information about herbs. probably much more than you'd find in a store. you can also do a google search, that would bring up tons of info. just make sure the source is valid.

[the-mothers.livejournal.com]

raspberries are a diaretic like cucumbers
so it helps with bloating and eases.
But that is about all...
foods that are beneficial for this are pomegranites, grapes, ginger, yams and cilantro.
teas that are good as well are licorice tea, ginger, and valerian root { for cramps or really any type of body aches}

herbs that are beneficial are damiana and catnip
these are all things I use when I am uncomfortable. I used to have my cycles either too often or not at all so it would be hell.
try these maybe

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

I'm on birth control, so don't really have any huge problems with cramps or heavy flow. I'm really drinking the tea because I like the way it tastes, and I suppose it can't hurt :)

Thanks for the tips, though :)

[the-mothers.livejournal.com]

hee... well in that case.
enjoy

[balmofgilead.livejournal.com]

i have access to this thing called naturaldatabase.com through my college (johns hopkins), and it has this listing for raspberry leaf:
(sorry it's so squished, it was in a table originally...i tried to divide it up as much as i could) it's not incredibly thorough, but at least it's more info then they can put on boxes of tea, from a somewhat trustworthy source...

Scientific Names: Rubus idaeus, synonym Rubus strigosus.

Family: Rosaceae.
People Use This For: Return to top Orally, raspberry leaf is used for GI tract disorders, upper and lower respiratory tract disorders, cardiovascular system disorders, influenza, fever, diabetes, vitamin deficiency, as a diaphoretic or diuretic, for stimulating bile production, "purification of skin and blood", diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, morning sickness associated with pregnancy, preventing miscarriage, and facilitating labor and delivery.
Topically, raspberry leaf is used for inflammation of the mouth and throat, and skin rash and inflammation.

For food uses, raspberry leaf in small quantities is a source of natural flavoring in Europe.

Safety: LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts found in foods. Very small quantities of raspberry leaf are used as food flavoring (4).

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally or topically and appropriately in medicinal amounts (12).

PREGNANCY: LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts found in foods (4). POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts during late pregnancy and under the supervision of a health care provider. Raspberry leaf is commonly used by nurse midwives to facilitate delivery. There is some evidence that raspberry leaf can be safely used for this purpose. However, raspberry leaf does not appear to work for this use; avoid using. Make sure patients do not use raspberry leaf without the guidance of a health care professional. LIKELY UNSAFE ...when used orally in medicinal amounts throughout pregnancy or for self-treatment. Raspberry leaf can cause uterine contractions and might have estrogenic effects These effects can adversely affect pregnancy. Tell pregnant patients not to use raspberry leaf at any time during pregnancy without the close supervision of a healthcare provider.

LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts found in foods (4). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of larger amounts of raspberry leaf while breast-feeding; avoid using. Effectiveness: Return to top POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE: ...when used orally to shorten labor. Raspberry leaf does not seem to reduce the length of labor or decrease the need for analgesics in the perinatal time period

There is insufficient reliable information available about the effectiveness of raspberry leaf for its other uses. Mechanism of Action: Return to top Raspberry leaf contains a high tannin content (13-15%), which is responsible for its astringent properties (4). When applied topically to skin or mucous membranes tannins cause capillary vasoconstriction, decreased vascular permeability, and a local anti-inflammatory effect (7). The effects of raspberry leaf on smooth muscle, such as that found in the uterus seems to be variable. Different constituents found in raspberry leaf seem to either stimulate or contract uterine smooth muscle. When used in humans, raspberry leaf might have either stimulatory or spasmolytic effects. There is some evidence that these effects might be dose and tissue dependent. For example, in low doses raspberry leaf might cause more contraction, while higher doses might have spasmolytic effects and decrease contraction. Also, raspberry might decrease contraction of tonic tissues and increase contraction of relaxed tissues
Raspberry leaf might also have some estrogenic effects. In an animal model, raspberry leaf seems to increase serum ceruloplasmin oxidase activity, which is a measure of estrogenic activity in the liver

Adverse Reactions: None reported.
Interactions with Herbs & Supplements: IRON, CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM: Theoretically, concomitant use may decrease mineral absorption due to tannin content (7). Interactions with Drugs: Return to top METFORMIN (Glucophage): Theoretically, concomitant use may reduce effectiveness (7).

(cont'd in next post)

[balmofgilead.livejournal.com]

Interactions with Drugs: METFORMIN (Glucophage): Theoretically, concomitant use may reduce effectiveness (7).

ORAL DRUGS: Theoretically, tannin content of raspberry leaf may modify absorption of sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, and tranquilizers (19). Interactions with Foods: Return to top None known. Interactions with Lab Tests: None known.

Interactions with Diseases or Conditions: HORMONE SENSITIVE CANCERS/CONDITIONS: Because raspberry leaf might have estrogenic effects (6180), women with hormone sensitive conditions should avoid raspberry leaf. Some of these conditions include breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, and endometriosis and uterine fibroids.

Dosage/Administration: ORAL: For facilitating labor, midwives typically prescribe raspberry leaf tea prepared by steeping 2 grams dried leaf in 240 mL of boiling water for 5 minutes and then straining (1122). Doses for other uses are typically one cup of tea up to 6 times daily. The tea is prepared by steeping 1.5 grams (approximately 2 teaspoons) of finely cut leaves in 150 mL boiling water 5 minutes and then straining (18). Alternatively, soak finely cut leaves in cold water for 2 hours and then strain (3). A liquid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol) is also often used and dosed as 4-8 mL three times daily (4). Raspberry leaf tablets 2.4 grams per day have been used for reducing labor pains, starting at 32 weeks gestation through labor (9796). Comments: Raspberry leaf extract has been used in Europe for centuries. The therapeutic use of raspberry leaf was first described in 1597 in The Herbal, or a General History of Plants (1096).

for a patient handout, it summarizes this all as:
Are there safety concerns? Raspberry leaf seems safe for most people when used as a medicine, or in amounts found in foods.

Raspberry leaf might be safe for use during late pregnancy under the direct supervision of a health care provider.

Do not take raspberry leaf if:

* You have breast cancer.
* You have uterine cancer.
* You have ovarian cancer.
* You have endometriosis.
* You have uterine fibroids.

Are there any interactions with medications? Raspberry leaf can interact with a large number of medications, causing them to either leave your system too quickly or too slowly. Medications used for depression, sedation, and sleeplessness (insomnia) might be affected.

It can also DECREASE the effectiveness of metformin (Glucophage), a diabetes medication.

Before taking raspberry leaf, talk with your healthcare professional if you are taking these or any other medications.

[dokuya.livejournal.com]

wow, that was informative. thanks!

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

Very informative! Thank you very much :D

[peregrin8.livejournal.com]

I drink TM's "Female Toner" tea, which has raspberry leaf and other stuff, and it's great for cramps.

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

I've noticed this stuff has eased cramps -- this combined with my birth control causes me to have absolutely no cramps -- maybe a twinge here and there, but it also might be because this is only my second day using an Instead cup and the rim might be squashing my cervix, or something ;P