What does every woman carry around in their purse? Probably things like lip balm or lipstick, a small mirror, a couple of bandaids, a travel-size deodorant and an emergency stash of tampons. We have a new suggestion for this list of essentials: raspberry leaf tea.
Seriously — every woman needs to be consuming this tea on a daily basis, at least during childbearing years between puberty and menopause. If you have a uterus, you need this tea! Men can also benefit from drinking red raspberry leaf tea, but first let’s take a look at how it helps women. Ladies first!
So many women suffer from heavy periods, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), cramps, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility and other reproductive conditions. Raspberry leaf tea is an important remedy which may play a major role in helping to alleviate these common issues.
Here is a quick summary of the benefits of red raspberry leaf tea. You’ll be running to the health food store to pick some up after checking out this impressive list.
Strengthens the reproductive system
Raspberry leaf tea contains an amazing collection of nutrients, all of which support uterine health and the whole female reproductive system. Specifically, it contains a special alkaloid called fragrine, which encourages toning and strengthening of the muscles in the pelvic area.
Numerous anecdotal accounts and also scientific studies support the use of raspberry leaf tea for fertility support. Drinking a cup a day is a great way to maintain a healthy uterus and support future fertility.
Regulates menstrual flow
Women with heavy periods find that raspberry leaf tea is very helpful in reducing the flow and associated cramping.
Women with conditions like PCOS, where periods are often absent, have found that raspberry leaf tea can help bring back a healthy period and aid with conception.
Helpful during pregnancy and labor
Women report that raspberry leaf tea is extremely helpful for many common issues during pregnancy and labor. It encourages implantation of the egg and prevents miscarriage. Further, raspberry leaf tea helps relieve morning sickness, leg cramping and swelling. During labor it can stop premature contractions, but then strengthen and support the uterus in contracting when appropriate.
Boosts lactation
Raspberry leaf tea is rich in nutrients, which help women produce more nutritious milk during breastfeeding.
Regulates hormones
Eases PMS
Thanks to the hormone-regulating properties, many women report experiencing fewer PMS symptoms when consuming raspberry leaf tea on a regular basis.
Red raspberry leaf tea benefits for men
Although raspberry leaf tea is widely known and celebrated for its role in women’s health, men — in fact the whole family — can benefit too. Raspberry leaves contain a wide range of nutrients which can keep the family healthy and also act as a treatment for illnesses. The tea is considered “high” or “very high” in the following:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Niacin
It also contains astringent properties which relieve pain, shrink inflamed tissues and relieve muscle spasms. These compounds can be helpful for anyone suffering an uncomfortable or painful condition.
Raspberry leaf tea is said to be a nourishing reproductive tonic for men, too. It supports male fertility and helps rid the body of all the estrogen-imitating chemicals that we get from the modern environment.
Since the tea tastes so pleasant, children do not mind drinking it, and it can easily be consumed as a warm drink, cool drink or even frozen into ice pops. As a remedy for children, raspberry leaf tea works great for stomachaches, diarrhea, flu and vomiting. Herbal experts even recommend giving the gentle tea to babies who have diarrhea, to soothe the stomach and digestive system.
How to buy the best quality red raspberry leaf tea
Many producers sell raspberry leaf tea of questionable quality. Chemical sprays like pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are of particular concern and should be avoided at all costs by purchasing a certified organic brand of tea.
Other things to look out for include processing methods, which might leave the tea damaged and of poor quality. Radiation is one thing we want to avoid. Manufacturers radiate dry goods like tea, herbs, spices and flour, to easily and cheaply get rid of any mold or insects which might be in residence. However, the radiation may affect the properties of the product and indeed leave dangerous residues.
A more conscientious manufacturer will take pains to produce a clean product without resorting to radiation. Good producers also cut the leaves fresh and use drying methods that do not damage the medicinal properties. Therefore, a more expensive tea may indicate better practices.
We recommend buying an organic loose-leaf variety. This is a good compromise: It gets you a good quality product and saves on the cost of tea bags, which may actually provide an inferior cup of tea anyway. Many tea bags are bleached and have metal staples, which can give off industrial chemicals. Loose-leaf is the best way to extract the most active ingredients out of the leaves, and avoid toxin exposure.
How to make red raspberry leaf tea
There are two ways to make a perfect cup of raspberry leaf tea. The first method involves a tea strainer, which can come in many forms, such as a basket that sits on the edge of your mug, a mesh ball, or a spoon-like strainer that can be filled with leaves. Fill the strainer loosely — do not pack the leaves or else water will not be able to penetrate between them. Boil water and pour into the mug over the strainer. Put a lid on the cup and let it steep for at least five minutes or up to 15 minutes.
If you don’t have a tea strainer, you can also simmer raspberry leaves for a few minutes in a pot of water, then simply remove the leaves with a regular strainer when ready to consume. This method is perfect for making a larger batch which can be put in the fridge and enjoyed as iced tea.
Try incorporating this awesome remedy into your daily regime — a cup of raspberry leaf tea goes down great in the evening, and is naturally caffeine-free! It also blends well with many other teas, like black tea, green tea, chaga tea, chamomile or pau d’arco.
Learn how to make an herbal multivitamin tea blend here.
—The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/S1526-9523(01)00095-2/pdf
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.1040/abstract
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388109000589
http://rsx.sagepub.com/content/16/6/605.short