Tea For Two

Every new preggo client that comes to see me for prenatal massage, leaves with a red raspberry leaf tea bag . I encourage all my clients to drink this brew during their pregnancy. This popular tea has become know as the “herb-supreme” for pregnant women. As Louise Tenney, M.H. writes in her book  Today’s Herbal Health: The Essential Reference Guide, Forth Edition, “red raspberry is one of the most renowned herbs used by women, especially during pregnancy. It contains nutrients that help to strengthen the uterus wall, reduce nausea, prevent hemorrhage, and reduce pain of childbirth. Red raspberry helps reduce false labor pains common in some pregnancies. It also helps enrich the colostrum found in breast milk. Drinking the tea will relieve painful menstruation and aid the blood flow. If your flow is too heavy, red raspberry tea will help it decrease uterine swelling and cut down on post-partum bleeding. Besides being good for women, red raspberry is a wonderful herb for children to use in case of colds, diarrhea, colic and fevers. It is also a good remedy for infants who suffer from dysentery and diarrhea. Red raspberry contains vitamins A, C, D, E, G, F, and B. It is rich in iron and calcium and contains phosphorus and manganese.” (pp 133, 134).

Many midwives and professionals who work with herbs believe that the regular consumption of these teas may help prevent pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, preterm labor, prolonged labor, and postpartum hemorrhage. Medical studies have shown that red raspberry leaf can be consumed safely during pregnancy and can decrease the length of labor; some hospitals are letting go of  the strict ice chips only during labor and allowing the new mom some more drinking options during labor to help her keep her strength up.  So keeping a pitcher of tea brewed and ready to go when you think it’s time to show up at labor and delivery might be a good idea.

Although believed to be safe to drink during your entire pregnancy, I would suggest that you wait until you are out of your first trimester before starting on the tea.  After that drink one cup a day, either hot or iced (I love it iced) and at 35 weeks pregnant up it to two to three cups a day. I recommend to my clients that they never use artificial sweeteners ever, even when not pregnant and sweeten the tea with raw sugar, honey or unsweetened if you can handle that.

I would also suggest that you continue to drink the red raspberry leaf postpartum, especially if you’ve had a C-section.  It is also believed to help prevent postpartum bleeding and improve placental delivery

This tea should always be on your shelf. It is a great herb for supporting the female system.

The brand I have been using for years is Traditional Medicinals, Organic Raspberry Leaf. You will probably not find this tea at the local supermarket, most health food stores and the Whole Foods Market carries this brand. You can save yourself some time and energy and order it through Amazon, I just checked and they carry the Traditional Medicinal Brand and they offer a pretty good deal.

What better way to end your day then to sit in a ginger root foot soak, sipping on a cup of red raspberry leaf tea and reading Dr. Verney’s the Secret Life of the Unborn Child.

Enjoy!
MaryLou

The information on this website is designed for educational purposes only. The information is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical care. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have.