What is Raspberry Leaf

Raspberry leaves are small, thin leaves that come from the raspberry plant. They have been used for centuries as a remedy for many conditions in traditional medicine. Raspberry leaves can be eaten as part of a meal, brewed as tea, or smoked. 

Does Raspberry Leaf do anything

There are many reputed benefits to raspberry leaf, and it has been used for centuries in North America, India, Italy, and various parts of Europe. However, there is limited clinical research that looks into the safety of raspberry leaf and its benefits.

What is Raspberry Leaf used for?

Raspberry leaf is an herbal supplement used in many ways. During menstruation, it reduces menstrual cramps and helps balance hormones. In women, the leaf also increases fertility, assists in labor, may improve fertility, and promotes lactation after birth. However, the leaf is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections and bladder infections while aiding digestion and detoxification. Often used as a dietary supplement, this leaf can increase metabolism and energy, increase red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, regulate diabetes, reduce anxiety, and even promote healthy skin. 

Effects and uses

The effects and uses of the raspberry leaf are known to be extremely wide. It is sometimes used for medicinal, skin, and culinary applications. The leaves are known to heal wounds and stop bleeding. They can also be used as antiseptic, tonic, emetic, laxative, diuretic, and expectorant. The leaves can be infused into raspberry leaf tea or can be smoked. This leaf has been said to reduce the side effects of withdrawing from nicotine as well. Raspberry leaf is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Smoking Raspberry Leaf

Smoking this leaf can improve focus and mental clarity and better manage nicotine withdrawal when smoked with other herbs. The raspberry leaf can help the smoker feel more relaxed and calm throughout the day. However, the leaves of the raspberry plant contain compounds called cyanidin glycosides which can cause nausea and vomiting when consumed in excess.

Does Raspberry Leaf help with fertility?

Raspberry leaf extract contains two antioxidants that are known to promote fertility--rutin and quercetin. The raspberry leaf herb also contains several minerals and vitamins essential to fertility, including calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamin C. Raspberry leaf is thought to build the uterine muscle tone, giving the uterus a better chance of holding on to a fertilized egg and supporting implantation, resulting in a healthy pregnancy. It also promotes an alkaline pH (rather than acidic pH) in the body which is more beneficial for a growing baby and less conducive to uterine infections.

Does Raspberry Leaf balance hormones?

Raspberry leaf can help with balancing hormones in several ways. The raspberry leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals, which are helpful with hormone balance. The raspberry leaf is also soothing for the uterus lining, which can suffer from hormonal imbalance when the lining is stressed. Additionally, raspberry leaves are also known to help with PMS symptoms which is another hormonal imbalance symptom.

Raspberry Leaf in Native culture/traditions, meaning

It was said that the Greek Gods could be found collecting raspberries around Mount Ida, hence the Genus name Rubus idaeus, which means “bramble of Ida” in Latin. The Ioway name for Raspberry leaf is déxtoxreke nąwe, an herb found in many traditional Native American smoking blends. While Native Americans used the raspberry fruit commonly in food, they used all plant parts to treat several illnesses and ailments. The roots were used by native cultures to treat diarrhea, the leaf as a diuretic, and the bark commonly used to treat dysentery and stomach aches, amongst other cures.

Raspberry Leaf and hemp cigarettes - Soje Floral blend

Raspberry leaf provides health benefits and improves the taste and harshness found in traditional hemp cigarettes. When Raspberry leaf is combined with other herbs such as organically-grown prairie sage, peppermint, and regeneratively grown hemp, the leaf becomes more effective than consuming it on its own. If you are looking for a way to relax or enjoy raspberry leaf's health benefits, Sojes floral hemp cigarettes may be the perfect solution.