Raspberry Leaf Tea

The other day I was looking around on other blogs and came across a post on Raspberry Leaf Tea.  I have Raspberry bushes in our yard, so my ears(o.k. my eyes) perked up. 



You can’t see the bushes very well in this picture above, but aren’t those dogs so cute, that is Max, our dog and our neighbor’s dog Winston.  The bushes are to the right of the dogs.   Also, above is a plate of dried leaves.

It really has many health benefits.  Especially for women.  Here are the benefits that Jacquiline over at DeepRootatHome.com listed:

Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf taken internally:

~It strengthening the wall of the uterus and the entire female reproductive tract.

~Regulates a menstrual period and decreases heavy periods (Drink 2-3 cups per day. After 2-3 months you should obtain a regular cycle.)

~It works during all stages of pregnancy. Relieves morning sickness and nausea.

~Is used as a preventative for hemorrhage during labor. It assists labor, making for an easier delivery.

 Tones uterine muscle before, during, and after childbirth.

~It increases and builds milk for nursing your baby.

~It is good for stomach aches and bowel problems in children and diarrhea in babies.

~It is good for digestion, as an antacid, and for those with bloating and gas.

~Treating Acne: It can act as an astringent on irritated skin by tightening the top layers of skin which effectively reduces secretions, relieves irritation and improves tissue firmness.

~Can be used as a mouth wash to soothe canker sores, swollen gums, and throat irritations.

~It is effective in urinary tract infections.
I do have one disclaimer:  I don't remember the details but I do remember something about this tea possibly causing early labor for pregnant women.  To be safe just check in with your Doctor or Midwife before drinking it in pregnancy, especially before 36 weeks.

So, of course I went right out and picked some of the leaves from my bushes.  I first made a cup of tea with fresh leaves and then later with dried leaves.  Not to much difference,  I think I did like the fresh better but, you can’t have that all year long. 

 

I dried them in our dehydrator,  it only took about 15 minutes.  laying each leaf on the tray took long enough, I didn’t want to have to do it all again the next day, if I had air dried them. 

Now, each night I have a cup of Red raspberry leaf tea.  Hope you can find some.  They are growing wild in many places right now. Or you can find it at Mountainroseherbs.com  Happy hunting.
Jeannie