Red raspberry leaf
 | This article needs more reliable medical references for verification or relies too heavily on primary sources. (January 2015) |  |
The red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus), also known as garden raspberry leaf, is a pale-green leaf produced by the deciduous raspberry plant—an upright shrub with perennial roots and prickly, biennial canes. The leaf has been used in folk remedies because of its rich content in vitamins, minerals, and tannins.[1]
Use in pregnancy
Traditional lore suggests that pregnant women use raspberry leaf tea, especially as an aid in delivery.[2][3] However, scientific research has found little to no evidence to support this claim.[4] Most of the evidence available is anecdotal, and a 2009 review article stressed concern at the lack of evidence for safety and efficacy and called recommendations of its use "questionable".[4] One 2001 study found that consumption of raspberry leaf tablets during the third trimester did not shorten the first stage labor and resulted in an approximately 10-minute reduction in the second stage of labor, as well as a lower forceps delivery rate (19.3% for treatment group vs. 30.4% for control group).[5]
References
- ^ Boon, Smith, Heather, Michael (2004). The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs. 120 Eglinton Ave. E.,Suite 800, Toronto, Canada M4p 1E2: Robert Rose. p. 233. ISBN 9780778800811.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ McFarlin, Barbara L.; Patsy Harman; Jann O'Rear; Mary H. Gibson (May–June 1999). "A National Survey of Herbal Preparation Use by Nurse-midwives for Labor Stimulation: Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Practice". Journal of Nurse-Midwifery. 44 (3): 205–216. doi:10.1016/S0091-2182(99)00037-3. PMID 10380441.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Palmer, Jane (2000-12-29). "Raspberry Leaf". Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
- ^ a b Lone Holst; Svein Haavik; Hedvig Nordeng (13 June 2009). "Raspberry leaf – Should it be recommended to pregnant women?". Complementary therapies in clinical practice. 15 (4): 204–8. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.05.003. PMID 19880082.
- ^ Simpson, M.; Parsons, M.; Greenwood, J.; Wade, K. (2001). "Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: Its safety and efficacy in labor". Journal of midwifery & women's health. 46 (2): 51–59. doi:10.1016/S1526-9523(01)00095-2. PMID 11370690.