Family: Rosaceae
As well as strengthening and toning the tissue of the womb and its astringent action, (like bramble, blackberry or strawberry leaves) in cases of diarrhoea, raspberry leaf is also good for mouth and throat problems. Raspberry leaf is typically taken during the last third of the pregnancy’s duration to help ease labour. It also supports lactation.
Raspberry leaves have an extremely high calcium level and a very high Ca:P ratio. Raspberry leaves also contain high levels of vitamins A and C.
Most forages contain manganese but raspberry leaves contain more manganese than any other herb at 14.6mg per 100gm dried herb. Manganese deficiency can lead to bone abnormalities and retarded growth because manganese is required for the formation of the mucopolysacchride which forms the organic matrix of bone.(i)
Constituents: Flavanoids, including kaempferol and quercetin; polypeptides; tannins; fructose; volatile oil; pectin; citric and malic acids.
Actions: Astringent, tonic, cooling, and parturient.
(i) Manganese information is from Animal Nutrition by McDonald, Edwards, Greenhalgh and Morgan
