What to Expect When You’re Expecting… Raspberry Leaf Tea - Porter Hill Tea Company

What to Expect When You’re Expecting… Raspberry Leaf Tea

First things first—if you’re here because you’re pregnant, congratulations! And if you’re here looking to ease menstrual cramps, don’t worry, you’re in the right place too.

The humble raspberry bush (Rubus idæus) has been a familiar sight across Europe since records began. It’s thought that raspberry seeds travelled to the Americas thousands of years ago when the Bering Strait was a land bridge—long before anyone had heard of TikTok.

Planted, cultivated, processed and brewed, raspberry leaf tea has stood the test of time and remains celebrated for its many benefits.

The fruit is good to be given to those that have weake and queasie stomackes.

—John Gerard, Gerard’s Herball, 1565

3 Benefits of Raspberry Leaf Tea

Ease the pain

Fragarine, an alkaloid compound naturally found in raspberry leaves, acts as a gentle muscle relaxant. Studies suggest it can help tone the pelvis and uterus, soften the cervix and potentially shorten labour. That’s why many midwives recommend starting with one cup daily around 32 weeks of pregnancy, gradually increasing to four cups a day as full term approaches. Fragarine can also help relax menstrual cramps, making that time of the month a little easier to handle.

Less midwife intervention

Like all traditional remedies, raspberry leaf tea has inspired a few myths—one being that it kick-starts labour. A placebo-controlled trial in 2001 found that wasn’t quite true. Instead, the results pointed to a shorter second stage of labour and fewer deliveries requiring forceps.

Skin defence

Raspberry leaves are packed with antioxidants shown to help the skin recover from UV exposure. Research has found these bioactive compounds protect against protein damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, and even carcinogenesis. It’s why raspberry leaf extract has already found its way into skincare products designed for sensitive or sun-damaged skin.

Grown and processed in Bulgaria, Our raspberry leaf tea is a staple worth keeping in the cupboard.

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