This amazing leaf has SO many benefits for women preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. It is often focused on during pregnancy because of it's toning effects on the uterus. Because of this, red raspberry leaf tea is generally recommended for 2nd and 3rd trimester, and avoided during the 1st because toning the uterus prematurely can cause contractions and miscarriage.
HOW MUCH? 1 cup daily during the second trimester and increase to 2-3 cups during the third trimester, with your midwife or doctor's approval. Some women will drink an even higher amount and more concentrated dose the week of their labor for optimal results!
BENEFITS:
Red raspberry leaf tea helps shorten labor and results in fewer medical interventions, including cesarean. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10754818/
Red raspberry leaf, in the capsule form, helped to shorten second stage of labor (marginally) and reduce the need for forceps delivery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11370690/
Additionally, the the uterus needs a lot of vitamins and minerals to function properly and red raspberry leaf tea offers a great profile of them. Red raspberry leaf is rich in vitamins and minerals, containing vitamins C, and certain antioxidants. One of those antioxidants is called "rutin" which helps to reduce inflammation. *
BONUS: Red raspberry leaf tea is not exclusively for women! It is great for men's prostate health and has been shown to lower unhealthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as to treat acne, adrenal fatigue, sore throat, canker sores, and cold and fevers.
RECIPES: Check out Mama Natural's favorite recipes for this amazing leaf! https://www.mamanatural.com/red-raspberry-leaf-tea-recipes/
*Pavlovi, Aleksandra V., et al. "Phenolics composition of leaf extracts of raspberry and blackberry cultivars grown in Serbia." Industrial Crops and Products 81 (2016): 304-314