Raspberry Leaf Tea

I must be ill, I'm researching strange things again! Tonight, it's raspberry leaf tea. I thought it was used to induce labour, but apparently not. In fact, it sounds like pretty groovy stuff in terms of preparing the uterus for labour, and general health in late pregnancy.

As usual, I first turned to good old Wikipedia. I've cut ou some of the waffle, but here's the gist!:

"The leaves contain high concentrations of several vitamins and minerals... Vitamin C and vitamin E are present in large amounts as well as Vitamin A and some B Complex. Increased Vitamin A intake in the form of the carotenoids of red raspberry leaf can aid the women’s immune system as well as facilitate healthy skin and bone development for the baby. Vitamin E serves to promote better circulation in the mother."

"The Red raspberry leaf also contains many essential minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, and an easily assimilated form of calcium. An increased availability of calcium is necessary in controlling nerve response to pain during childbirth [sounds good to me!] and in aiding bone development in the fetus. It also contains fragrine, an alkaloid which help tone the muscles of the pelvic region including the uterus. This allows the uterus to contract more powerfully and effectively during labor. Also, many midwives report that it aids in focusing the pre-labor contractions that help a woman’s uterus to prepare for delivery. The high vitamin and mineral content help replace those lost via blood loss during delivery. Also, the alkaloids will continue toning the uterus as it returns to its usual size. In some women, the high mineral content may even help their milk to come in."

So far, only some research has been done. A study carried out in Sydney found, of 192 first-time mums given either a 1.2g raspberry leaf tablet or a placebo twice a day from 32 weeks of pregnancy; found that the herb had no harmful effects on mother or baby, and those women who had taken raspberry leaf tablets were found to have a shorter second stage of labour and a lower rate of forceps delivery (19.3 per cent versus 30.4 per cent). Sounds good to me! I wonder if they sell it in Holland and Barrett? I think I might give it a try from 32 weeks. God, that's only a fortnight away... eeeeeeeek!