Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy – Benefits, Side Effects, and More

Raspberry leaf tea is known for its medicinal properties and has been in use for a long time. Rich in nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and alkaloids, it has several health benefits and is known to help in labour and childbirth. If you’re pregnant, you may have probably heard that drinking raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy can help induce labour. But is this wonderberry really beneficial during pregnancy? Let’s find out! Read this article to learn more about raspberry leaf tea for pregnant women, its benefits and side effects! While there are several health claims about different herbs and teas, it is best to consult your doctor before trying any concoction during pregnancy to prevent any health issues.

What Is Raspberry Tea?

Raspberry tea is a cool and refreshing beverage with antioxidant properties and vitamins (1). There are two types of Raspberry tea – Raspberry fruit tea and Raspberry leaf tea. The raspberry fruit tea is made with fresh raspberry fruit juice, tea, lime juice, and sugar syrup and served with ice. On the other hand, raspberry leaf tea has a bitter taste and a floral aroma. Both types have their own benefits. While raspberry fruit tea is loaded with essential nutrients and minerals and has several health benefits, it aids in easy labour and childbirth.

Benefits of Drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea During Pregnancy

Raspberry leaf tea is highly beneficial during pregnancy in more ways than one.

1. Helps in Delivery

The tea contains an alkaloid called fragrine, which strengthens and tones the muscles of the uterine wall, thereby making labour less painful and childbirth easy (2) (3).

2. Reduced Risk of Post-term or Preterm Birth

According to a small study, women who consumed raspberry leaf tea had more chances to give birth close to their due date compared to those who didn’t consume it (4).

2. Lowers the Chances of Miscarriage

Drinking raspberry leaf tea tones uterine muscles, which prevents miscarriage and postpartum haemorrhage.

4. Good for the Skin

The tea has anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce the chances of common rashes and skin problems in pregnant women.

5. Helps With Breastfeeding

The nutrient-rich beverage also increases the supply of breast milk post-delivery due to its high levels of iron.

When Can You Start Drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea During Pregnancy?

According to medical caregivers, pregnant women should start taking Raspberry leaf tea only after they cross the 32^nd-week mark in pregnancy. This will allow the body to take in all the rich nutrients and vitamins that are required during labour and childbirth. However, one should be cautious enough not to start drinking it before the said week since it is believed that drinking this tea before reaching the 32nd week of pregnancy could lead to miscarriage.

How Much Raspberry Tea You Can Drink When Pregnant?

You can initially start with a cup of raspberry leaf tea in the 32^nd week of pregnancy and gradually increase the number of cups to 3 a day until the time you go into labour. But you must check with your doctor first about the consumption of raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy. Raspberry leaf tea or any other beverage or food item that you don’t consume often should be consumed after consulting your doctor.

Possible Side Effects of Consuming Raspberry Herbal Tea

Just as raspberry herbal tea is rich in antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins, on the hind side, it also has its share of downsides. Listed below are the side effects of Raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy.

• During vaginal birth, it puts stress on the baby since the raspberry leaf tea makes contractions even more strong and severe.
• Drinking raspberry leaf tea in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to a miscarriage or could cause preterm labour.
• It is not recommended for people who want to have a caesarean delivery.
• The tea is also said to have diuretic effects resulting in frequent urination and laxative effects leading to frequent motions.
• Drinking raspberry leaf tea can interfere with medications for diabetes, antidepressants, or anti-anxiety or sleep-inducing medications and can cause a few complications (5).
• Raspberry leaf tea is also said to have sedative and muscle-relaxant properties. Therefore, people who are into anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication should avoid it.

Does Raspberry Tea Help in Labour Induction?

Although there isn’t much scientific proof to back up the claim that raspberry tea induces labour, it is said to help in making labour easier by strengthening the uterine muscles. and shortening the labour (6). Therefore, caution should be taken before you start taking the herbal tea. It is advisable to start taking it from the 32^nd week of pregnancy onwards and not before it. Pregnant women should start taking it a few weeks before labour and only after consulting with a doctor.

Who Should Avoid to Drink Raspberry Leaf Tea?

The following people are not advised to drink red raspberry leaf tea:

• You have high blood pressure
• You are breastfeeding
• You are expecting twins
• Your baby is breech
• You are facing any health complications in your pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes
• You have had premature labour before
• You have a personal or family history of endometriosis, fibroids, or breast or ovarian cancer
• You are due for a C-section

How to Make Raspberry Leaf Tea?

Making raspberry leaf tea while pregnant is super easy. Here are the steps you can follow:

• Step 1: Take fresh raspberry leaves or a raspberry leaf tea bag if you don’t have fresh leaves.
• Step 2: Boil clean drinking water and put the fresh raspberry leaves or the teabag into it.
• Step 3: Let the leaves brew well in the hot water for two to three minutes so all the nutrients are retained by water.
• Step 4: Once brewed perfectly, you can either drink it hot or cool it down to drink with ice.

Quick Raspberry Tea Recipes

Red raspberry leaf tea is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. To-be-moms generally stick to organic raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy as it is devoid of any pesticides, which makes it a healthier and safer option. Here are some quick raspberry tea recipes which you can drink while pregnant.

1. Raspberry Iced Tea

It works as a coolant and can refresh you on a hot summer afternoon.

Ingredients

• Water: 4 glasses
• Sugar syrup: 1/2 of a glass
• Teabag: 1
• Raspberries (fresh or frozen): 2 cups
• Lime juice: 1/2 cup
• Mint leaves (roughly crushed): 4-5 leaves (optional)

Directions

1. In a pan, boil 2 glasses of water.
2. Switch off the stove and add the teabag.
3. After 2 minutes, remove the tea bag and keep the tea aside.
4. In another pan, pour the remaining 2 glasses of water.
5. Add the raspberries in and simmer till the raspberries become pulpy.
6. Strain it and keep it aside to let it cool.
7. Once it is cool, mix the raspberry juice, tea, lime juice, and sugar syrup together.
8. Add the crushed mint leaves (optional) and stir it.
9. Then refrigerate it and serve it chilled.

Serves

4 – 5 glasses

2. Raspberry Tea Lollies

These low-fat, low-calorie and super delightful, bright red colour lollies are just the kinds to bring a bright smile on your face.

Ingredients

• Raspberry (chopped): 200 gms
• Raspberry Tea (hot): 4 glasses
• Sugar syrup: 1/2 cup (you can add more of this if you want it sweeter)
• Lime juice: 1/4^th cup

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix chopped raspberries, raspberry tea, and sugar syrup together. Let all of it souse in together for about 10-15 minutes.
2. Once cool, add in the lime juice.
3. Pour it into the lolly moulds and freeze for 5-6 hours.

Serves

6 – 8 lollies (depending on the size of the moulds).

FAQs

1. Why do pregnant women drink raspberry leaf tea?

Pregnant women close to their labour time prefer to drink raspberry leaf tea as it helps prepare the body for labour and birth. 

2. What is the best time to drink raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy?

It is ideal to wait until you are close to your due date, around 37 weeks, before beginning to drink raspberry leaf tea.

3. Can pregnant women drink raspberry leaf tea in early pregnancy?

Pregnant women are not advised to drink raspberry leaf tea in the early or middle of the pregnancy, ideally not before 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Drinking raspberry tea can be beneficial during pregnancy and labour, but it should be taken with caution. Remember to consult your gynaecologist before taking the herbal concoction. Experimenting during pregnancy is best avoided.  Stay safe, eat well, and have a healthy pregnancy!

References/Resources:

1. Garjonyte. R, et al.; In Vitro Antioxidant and Prooxidant Activities of Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) Stem Extracts; Molecules.; PubMed Central; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9268408/; June 2022

2. Bowman. R, et al.; Biophysical effects, safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf use in pregnancy: a systematic integrative review; BMC Complement Med Ther.; PubMed Central; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7871383/; February 2021

3. Red Raspberry Leaf; ScienceDirect; https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/red-raspberry-leaf

4. Parsons M, Simpson M, Ponton T. Raspberry leaf and its effect on labour: safety and efficacy. Aust Coll Midwives Inc J.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10754818/; September 1999

5. Diabetes; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/

6. Simpson M, Parsons M, Greenwood J, Wade K. Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor. J Midwifery Womens Health.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11370690/; March-April 2001

Also Read:

Green Tea during Pregnancy
Ginger Tea Intake during Pregnancy
Is it Safe to Drink Black Tea in Pregnancy?
Drinking Iced Tea During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?