Plant Family: 

Rosaceae

 

Habitat & Cultivation: 

R. idaeus originated in south Europe/North Asia around Mount Ida near Troy in northwest Turkey, hence its Latin name Rubus (red) and idaeus (Mount Ida) (Marciano & Vizniak, 2018, p. 302-3). R. idaeus has been naturalized and inter-bred with other Rubus species from all over the world, notably North America. North American raspberries include: R. strigosus, R. spectabilis, R. parviflorus; and black raspberries R. ursinus, R. occidentalis, R. leucodermis (Hummer, 2010). 

 

Parts Used/Collection:

Leaves and fruit

 

Herbal Actions: 

• Uterine Tonic

• Antidiarrhoeal

• Anti-inflammatory

• Astringent

• Antioxidant

• Partufacient

 

Indications: 

Labor Preparation, Dysmenorrhea, Menorrhagia, Postpartum hemorrhage

 

Contraindications: 

Avoid rhodiola in clients who are bipolar, manic, or paranoid. It can cause insomnia in sensitive people.

 

Plant Constituents: 

Leaves: Tannins, volatile oil, flavonoid glycosides, Minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Se, Niacin)

 

Fruit: Ketones (4-hydroxyphenyl), Vitamins (A &C), Minerals (K, Ca, Mg)

 

System Affinities: 

 

Energetics:

Astringent, sweet, cooling, light, rough, hard, wet, and loose.

 

Safety: 

Safe to use during pregnancy and postpartum, consult with your provider.

 

Personal Experience: 

My preference for this herb is to infuse it into a delicious tea, it adds a subtle fruity flavor and is very enjoyable.

 

Research:

• Frawley, D., & Lad, V. (1986). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.

• Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Healing Arts Press. Rochester, VT. pp 604-605.

• Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2005). The essential guide to herbal safety. London, England: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

• Simpson, M. (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.

• Upton, R., Bechtel, D., Beyer, L., Gurley, B. J., Schoenbart, B., & Parks, C. A. (2013). American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook (2nd ed.). Boca Raton: American Herbal Products Association, CRC Press.