Red raspberry's therapeutic uses

DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.

• PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: None
• OTHER PROPOSED USE: Pregnancy and labor, postpartum recovery, menstrual health, digestive health, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, oral health

Overview

Herbalists have long believed that raspberry leaf tea, taken regularly during pregnancy, can prevent complications and make delivery easier. Raspberry has also been used to reduce excessive menstruation and relieve symptoms of diarrhea. However, there is limited evidence that it is safe or effective for these uses.

Therapeutic Dosages

A typical dosage of raspberry leaf tea is made with 1 cup of boiling water poured over 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried leaf; the tea is steeped for ten minutes and then sweetened to taste. Unlike many medicinal herbs, raspberry leaf actually has a pleasant taste. Pregnant women may be advised to drink 2 to 3 cups of the tea daily.

Therapeutic Uses

Red raspberry tea is commonly recommended for pregnant women. However, while there is weak preliminary evidence from animal studies that raspberry might affect the uterus, clinical studies have only revealed vague and limited benefits during pregnancy. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of red raspberry in 192 pregnant women. Treatment (placebo or 2.4 grams of raspberry leaf daily) began at the thirty-second week of pregnancy and was continued until the onset of labor. The results failed to show any statistically meaningful differences between the groups. Red raspberry did not significantly shorten labor, reduce pain, or prevent complications. In the early 2020s, several studies were aggregated to examine the results of red raspberry on the uterus and in pregnant women. This comprehensive overview showed that red raspberry may shorten certain stages of labor, although more human study is needed. More studies were also needed to support the traditional use of red raspberry to reduce postpartum bleeding.

Red raspberry has long been proposed to benefit menstrual issues as well. It is suggested to reduce menstrual cramps, regulate menstrual cycles, and control heavy bleeding. However, evidence for these claims is largely anecdotal and not based on scientific study. Additional scientific study is necessary to validate the claims that red raspberry can help with digestive issues, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, and can benefit oral health. Red raspberries are rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties that may help prevent chronic health conditions. 

Safety Issues

Raspberry is believed to be safe. The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial above found no evidence of harm in the ninety-six pregnant women given red raspberry. However, this does not exclude the possibility of rare side effects or toxicity with excessive dosages. Safety in young children and those with severe liver or kidney disease has also not been established.

Bibliography

Bowman, Rebekah, et al. "Biophysical Effects, Safety and Efficacy of Raspberry Leaf Use in Pregnancy: A Systematic Integrative Review." BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, vol. 21, no. 1, 2021, p. 56, doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03230-4. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Dekker, Rebecca. "EBB 139 - Evidence on Red Raspberry Leaf Tea for Natural Labor Induction." Evidence Based Birth, 18 Aug. 2020, evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-139-red-raspberry-leaf-tea. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Goodson, Amy. "Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: Pregnancy, Benefits, and Side Effects." Healthline, 1 Aug. 2025, www.healthline.com/nutrition/red-raspberry-leaf-tea. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Griffin, R. Morgan. "Red Raspberry." WebMD, 2 July 2024, www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/red-raspberry-uses-and-risks. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Iniguez, Alejandro Bravo, et al. "From Berry to Benefit: Harnessing the Bioactive Properties of Red Raspberries for Combatting Metabolic Syndrome." Trends in Food Science & Technology, vol. 163, 2025, p. 105106, doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2025.105106. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

"Red Raspberry – Health Information Library." PeaceHealth, 24 May 2015, www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-2154002. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Simpson, M., et al. "Raspberry Leaf in Pregnancy: Its Safety and Efficacy in Labor." Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, vol. 46, 2001, pp. 51-9.