Benefits Of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea During Pregnancy

Red raspberry leaf tea is becoming increasingly popular among pregnant women. The leaves from the red raspberry plant (which is known for its sweet berries) are used to make this tea.

Raspberry Leaf tea benefit

In addition to this, these leaves are highly nutritious. These leaves have been used for years to make herbal tea with many medicinal benefits, especially for pregnant women.

In this article, we will talk about the health benefits, safety and side effects of drinking raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy.

Health Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Health benefits of raspberry leaf tea

Studies recommend a maximum daily dose of 1 cup of raspberry lead tea a day for pregnant women.These leaves are full of many essential nutrients and the tea has a number of medicinal benefits. Some of them include:

1.Nutrient & Antioxidant Supply

Red raspberry leaves are a good source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B, A, E and C, potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and iron. They are also rich in antioxidants that help protect body cells from damage. In addition, the leaves of this plant also contains anti-cancer properties.

2. Help With Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is something most pregnant women will have to deal with throughout the course of their pregnancy. This tea helps relieve the symptoms of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Most women who use raspberry leaf tea as a remedy for morning sickness do so in their second and third trimesters. Nevertheless, it is advisable to wait till the second trimester before taking the raspberry leaf tea.

3. Helps Strengthen the Womb and Ease Labour

A lot of women claim that the tea of the raspberry plant made their labour shorter and easier. The womb has to work extra during pregnancy to cater for the growing child and in preparation for child birth.

Raspberry Leaf tea benefits

Studies show that the components of this tea strengthen the womb and prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth. It also contains a substance fragerine which strengthens the muscles of the womb and pelvis, making childbirth easier.

4. Reduces Risks Of Some Complications Of Childbirth

There is evidence to show that drinking red raspberry leaf tea may help reduce the risks of having complications during labour and childbirth. Beyond this, it has also been said that it reduces the chances of your doctor having to interfere with forceps during labour. This in turn decreases the amount of bleeding after childbirth.

Raspberry Tea Side Effects

Red raspberry leaf tea is generally safe for the general public to use. The side effects have been reported to be mild. However, we strongly advise you get clearance from your doctor before using it especially if you’re pregnant.

Some side effects to watch out for are:

  1. Stooling ( This can leave you dehydrated as well as set off womb contractions)
  2. Excessive urination
  3. Spotting (tiny bleeds from the vagina)
  4. Contractions or cramping in early

If you notice any of these side effects, please stop taking the tea immediately and consult your doctor.

We recommend that you consult your doctor before taking red raspberry tea or any other herbal tea while pregnant.

In Conclusion

The Red raspberry tea has beneficial properties for expectant mums. Although it is generally safe to use, we advise extra caution for pregnant women.

A cup of rasperry leaf tea

REFERENCES
  1. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor, March-April 2001.
  2. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Raspberry leaf – Should it be recommended to pregnant women?, November 2009.
  3. BMJ Open, Effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines for induction of labour: a systematic review and meta-analysis, October 2018.
  4. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Berry Leaves: An Alternative Source of Bioactive Natural Products of Nutritional and Medicinal Value, June 2016.
  5. Czech Journal of Food Sciences, Antioxidant Capacity and Antioxidants of Strawberry, Blackberry, and Raspberry Leaves, 2011.
  6. Mayo Clinic, Herbal Supplements: What to Know Before You Buy, November 2019.
  7. Pexels.com