The red raspberries are not the only edible part of the red raspberry bush that is eaten and used for their health benefits. The red raspberry leaves that are light green in color are used to for making medicinal herbal teas due to the rich source of nutrients packed in them that nourish and protect our bodies naturally.
Appearance, Texture and Flavor of Red Raspberry Leaves
Red raspberry leaves grow off the perennial red raspberry plants that are native to places like North American, Europe, Asia and South America. The light green tender leaves are edible with a sweet tart red raspberry flavor to them. When the leaves are placed in boiling water and steeped for ten minutes or longer the water turns a pinkish brown color, which is red raspberry leaf tea. The tea is sipped on to help improve overall health and certain conditions such as pregnancy.
Nutrients in Red Raspberry Leaves
The nutrients in red raspberry leaves are vitamins C, E, A, and B complex, minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and iron and antioxidants. Red raspberry leaves also contains tannins a natural astringent that can help cleanse the outside and inside of the body naturally. These leaves even contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease pain and inflammation safely and naturally.
Health Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea for Women
Women who are trying to improve fertility should consider drinking several cups of red raspberry tea throughout the day because of its ability to enhance the chances of getting pregnant. Woman and teenage girls should drink red raspberry leaf tea daily if their menstrual cycles are irregular because the nutrients in the tea can help regulate the cycles and help ease the symptoms that come before and after the menstrual cycle such as mood swings, bloating and cramping. Women pregnant can also benefit from drinking red raspberry tea throughout their pregnancy because of its potent nutrients and ability to nourish both mother and baby without harming them. Drinking red raspberry tea while pregnant can even help improve and strengthen the muscles in the reproductive system so delivery of the baby goes smoothly and can help ease nausea away gently and effectively.
Other Health Benefits of Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Those of you who suffer from constipation, poor blood circulation, inflammation, diarrhea, irritated skin, gum diseases, oral cavities, the cold and flu, respiratory infections and digestive issues can help treat this conditions natural by sipping on 2 to 3 cups of red raspberry leaf tea throughout the day. Due to the high amount of vitamin C and other potent nutrients in red raspberry leaves, the tea is also useful for treating bacterial and viral infections as well as dehydration and fevers. Those of you who suffer from high blood sugar levels can help reduce them by sipping on some red raspberry leaf tea to help lower them when needed.
Using Red Raspberry Leaf Tea as a Gargle
Cold red raspberry leaf tea can be useful as a gargle to help cleanse and soothe the mouth and throat naturally due to the natural antiseptic properties it has in it. It is also useful for soothing toothaches, canker sores, cold sores, fever blisters, throat infections and dry mouth. Adding a little pinch of sea salt can help enhance the red raspberry leaf gargle since sea salt has the ability to cleanse and kill bacteria as well.
Precautions
Red raspberry leaf tea is relatively safe to use to help improve health and treat common health conditions. However, it is still best to talk to the doctor before using this herbal remedy to make sure it is right for you. Some side effects that have occurred are allergic reactions, interactions with medications, increase chances of breast, ovarian, prostate and uterine cancers and low blood sugar levels.