Plant Profile: Raspberry

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Raspberry
(Rubus species; Rubus idaeus; R. occindentalis)

Family: ROSACEAE

Energetics: Cooling. Drying. 

Taste: Leaf: Mild, bitter. Fruit: Sweet. 

Tissue States: Laxity. 

Systems Affected: Reproductive system. Liver. Kidneys. Splee. 

Parts Used: Berry & Leaf

Key Components: Leaves: Magnesium. Manganese. Vitamin A. Vitamin C. Calcium. Phosphorus. Iron. Phytosterols. Phytonutrients (Flavonoids. Tannins). Glycosides (kaempferol & quercitnin). Trae minerals. Berries (Both red and black raspberries): 6g fiber per 1/2 cup. 1-2% organic acids (90% of that is citric acid also has Malic acid). Flavonoids. Vitamin B. Vitamin C. Pectins. Sugar. 

Preparations & dosage: Infusion. Tincture: Tincture dry leaves standard 1:5 ration in 30% alcohol. Food. 

Actions: 
Foundational: Astringent.
Primary: Mild Alterative. 
Secondary: Tonic. Nutritive. 

Uses: 

 As a mouth rinse to have an astringent effect on mouth ulcers or spongy gums. Gargle for a sore cloggy throat.

 Good for a cold or allergies that cause leaky tissues. 

 Tones bowel tissues in cases of diarrhea.  

 Leukorrhea. Spermatorrhea. 

 A great tonic for the uterus combined with nettle and spearmint to help ease painful cramping.

 Reduce excessive menstrual bleeding. 

 Tones the tissues yet relaxing to the muscles of the uterus. Many women take raspberry leaf (sometimes with equal parts squaw vine) throughout their last trimester to prepare their uterus for labor and continue to take it postpartum as a nutrient rich tonic to help recover from birth, reduce hemorrhaging and restore the uterus. Raspberry leaf has also been taken to prevent miscarriage often in a formula with squaw vine, false unicorn root & cramp bark). 
 Nourishes blood with its vitamin & mineral content. Specifically tones the uterine tissue and helps regulate menstrual flow. Take regularly in pregnancy can help prepare the uterus for labor. Can also prepare for breastfeeding by enriching the breast milk as well as increasing the flow. (pregnancy tonic equal parts raspberry leaf & squaw vine; 1 cup 2-3 times per day. If there is a threat of miscarriage add equal parts false unicorn root and cramp bark also). Can also help the uterus return to normal size after birth. Astringent property make it useful in excessive menstrual bleeding. Affinity for the smooth muscle & mucous membranes also makes it helpful in soothing, toning & healing the tissues of the stomach & intestinal lining especially if ulcers or inflammatory pockets are present. Conditions like this are typically combined with a reduction in tone of the intestinal wall allowing for flare ups of diseases such as Crohn’s, IBS, constipation or diverticulitis. Toning & pulling back together the tissues with red raspberry leaf can help improve these conditions. Stubborn constipation that is often attributed to improper peristalsis (contraction of the intestines). Contains valuable nutrients that that also make it a wonderful supportive choice for the mucous membranes of the mouth & lungs. Recent studies show its ability to lower blood sugar levels. Good general tonic for healthy bones & teeth. FRUIT is a nutritive tonic that is very good for strengthening the blood. 

 Berries: Known to strengthen the blood.  
Combines well with: Nettle. Spearmint. 

Identifying: 

Growing:

Harvesting: Harvest leaves before flowers or fruit appear. Dry them before using. 

Contraindications: Matthew wood states that they can be used fresh OR dry but are somehow toxic at the in-between stage but doesn't go into further detail and his book is the ONLY one I've read this in. 
Sources: 

The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra. Pg 184-185
The Complete Herbs Sourcebook: David Hoffman. Pg 306
The Earthwise Herbal: Volume 2: Matthew Wood. Pg 306-309


Studies:

Raspberry Leaf and Hypoglycemia in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27824754

Effect of Rubus Occidentalis Extract on Metabolic Parameters in Subjects with Prediabetes: A Proof-of-concept, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27279471

Effects of Rubus occidentalis extract on blood pressure in patients with prehypertension: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26740254

Black Raspberry Extract Increased Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Improved Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2015.3563

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