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Red
Raspberry Leaf Tea for Women’s Health
Like blueberries, red raspberries grow wild up
the north woods. I have many fond memories seeking out berry patches and
eagerly plucking the little red gems off the plant. Unlike blueberries, I would
never collect the raspberries, but pop them in my mouth right then and there.
It wasn’t until I was much older that I would learn that there was more to the
plant than just the delicious fruit!
What’s
in Raspberry Leaf Tea for Women’s Health and What Does It Do?
Red
raspberry leaves are known for easing the pain of menstrual cramps, but it can also
help digestive woes as well as support heart health. It has also traditionally been used
by pregnant women, as well as post-partum, the thought process being that
it can ease labor by helping with pain as well as quickening the process, and
“toning” the uterus. There’s quite a bit of mixed research on this, however,
anecdotal evidence is extremely strong when it comes to its efficacy and I know
of quite a few women who swear by it.
The
leaves are rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron, as well as zinc and
phosphorus. The leaves also contain a plethora of b-vitamins (B1-thiamine,
B2-riboflavin, B3-niacin, B5-pantothenic acid, B6-pyridoxine, and B9-folate) as
well as vitamin C.
Magnesium and potassium are both macro-minerals, which the body
needs in larger amounts to support proper functioning. Iron is a trace
mineral-still important, of course, but we don’t need as much of it as
macro-minerals. Below the recipe is a simplified and brief explanation for some
of the most important constituents of red raspberry leaf, and how they help the
body.
If you decide to consume red raspberry leaf during pregnancy, it
is recommended that you wait until your third trimester. Start with 1 cup
daily, and over the course of several weeks move up to 3 cups daily. Should you
wish to start consuming it sooner, check with a holistic health care provider
or your doctor for details.
You
will need…
-2-3 teaspoons of dried red raspberry leaf OR 2-3 tablespoons
fresh
-Water
-Your favorite mug
-Honey or lemon (optional)
-Water
-Your favorite mug
-Honey or lemon (optional)
Directions
Bring water to a boil and place your leaves in a strainer or tea
ball in your mug. Fill the mug with fresh, boiling water and cover, letting it
steep, for 6-8 minutes. Remove the leaves, add honey or lemon to taste, and
enjoy!
The
Nitty-Gritty on Red Raspberry Leaf for Women’s Health & Why It’s Good
Magnesium
Magnesium
is a co-factor over 300 enzyme reactions in the body. Needless to say-it’s kind
of important. It regulates protein synthesis-one of the most fundamental
biological processes-, muscle and nerve function-including nerve impulse,
muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm, as well as blood glucose control, blood pressure, and energy production.
It aids structural development of bone, and plays a role in the
synthesis (basically, production) of DNA and RNA. If you need a little
reminder, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a self-replicating material present in
just about every living thing.
It is the carrier of genetic information. RNA (ribonucleic acid)
is present in all living cells, and essentially carries instructions for DNA
regarding the synthesis of proteins. There’s really no simple way to sum up
that process…but it’s important!
Potassium
Potassium plays a large role in smooth muscle function. Smooth
muscle is the kind in your intestines, heart, etc. as opposed to skeletal
muscle. Skeletal muscle you think about contracting-like when you flex your
bicep. Smooth muscle is subconscious-you don’t think about making your
heartbeat, or your intestines contract to push food through. Potassium conducts
electricity, along with calcium and magnesium, which regulates the impulses to
move these muscles.
Calcium
Much like the other vital minerals, the body cannot produce
calcium on its own-which is why it is so important to consume enough of it from
healthy outside sources (I am not one to drink a lot of milk, so this was a
“concern” for me growing up. Don’t worry-there are other ways to get what you need!)
Roughly 99% of the calcium in our bodies is concentrated in our
bones and teeth, but it also helps nerves fire, blood to clot, and works with
potassium and magnesium to contract muscles. It is, in fact, so vital to muscle
function that your body will draw it from your very bones if you do not ingest
enough.
Iron
Iron is a mineral that has several roles in the body, the
biggest one being the creation of healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
Roughly two-thirds of the bodies iron is found in the protein haemoglobin,
which is responsible for carrying oxygen from our lungs to other parts of the
body.
Anaemia is when you don’t have enough haemoglobin and is usually
when people start taking iron supplements. Exhaustion, a racing heart, restless
legs, shortness of breath-all are common signs of anaemia. Women are at the
highest risk.
Zinc/Phosphorus
Zinc is a vital part of the immune system, and also ties into
the creation of proteins and DNA. Phosphorus, after calcium, is the most
abundant mineral in the human body, with 85% of it being located in the bones
and teeth. It works closely with calcium to build strong bones and teeth.
B/C
Vitamins
In
short, B complex vitamins do a variety of jobs, often times working together.
They convert nutrients to energy, maintain skin and hair health, regulate stress hormones, and boost HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol.)
Vitamin C helps the body form and maintain some of
its vital components, including blood vessels, skin, connective tissue, and
bones.
When you take a look at the breakdown of the leaves, it’s not
hard to see why they would be helpful for heart health, muscles, or even
strengthening the uterus. There is no magic “super herb” out there, but red
raspberry leaf tea is a great herbal tea to add to
your daily routine to keep everything running smoothly.
P.S. Make
sure to take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.
350+ pages of the best home remedies, natural beauty recipes, homemade cleaners
and diy household products. View Remedies
By Claire Goodall
(a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover.
She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.
It’s a Book that
she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home
with healthier, all-natural alternatives.
It contains 215+
effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your
family and save money every month.
