Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

[Delfina]

Hi- I just read somewhere that red raspberry leaf tea is a good source of non-heme iron. I know of the other wonderful benefits of this tea during pregnancy, but I have never heard of this.... Has anyone else heard this? Is this information accurate?

Thanks!!

[Babytime]

Good question ... I hope someone can answer it for you! I would be interested too!

[HokieGirl]

I have also read about the benefits of red raspberry leaf tea. I think if you do a search on midwiferytoday.com you might find some information. But when I looked for it at Whole Foods, there was a warning on it that pregnant women should not use it. So I don't know what the deal is.

[sweetpeasmom]

I've heard that you shouldn't drink it till 36 weeks as it could cause contractions. Don't know if thats true or not.

[Malama]

Here's what Susun Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year says:

-gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region

-Most of the benefits ascribed to regular use of RRL tea throughout pregnancy can be traced to the strengthening power of fragrine or to the nourishing power of the vitamins and minerals found in this plant.

-rich concentrations of Vitamin C, presence of Vit E, easily assimilated Calcium and iron. THey also contain Vits A and B complex and many minerals, including phosphorous and potassium

-Benefits of drinking it through pregnancy include:
-preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage (through toning)
-easing of morning sickness
-reducing pain during labor and after birth
-providing a safe and speedy parturition- it does not stretnghthen contractions, but does allow the uterus to work more effectively and so make birth easier and faster
-helping to bring down an undelievered placenta
assisting in milk production

I paraphrased from the book- but that's the gist of the section on RRL.... HTH!

[TwinMom]

The Compleat Mother recommends drinking RRL tea throughout pregnancy. I ordered a bag of theirs but haven't tried it yet. My nausea won't let me drink anything but water and Emergen-C. As soon as I can I plan on drinking at least one cup a day, though I know it's better to drink more. Maybe it would be good iced, with some honey in it?

[HeatherG]

Durning my first pregnancy I drank it from 21 weeks on....couldn't prior to that as I was puking too much (hyperemesis).

Anyway, my midwife told me it is ok (and good) to drink through out the pregnany. I plan on drinking it again, once the nausea goes away.

[Delfina]

Thanks for all the info!! TwinMom - I had the same idea as you!! I also called Herbs, etc - a great resource in Santa Fe with knowledgable herbalists. They too said it was safe to drink throughout pregnancy and could also help with morning sickness. I am on my way to buy now......

[sara_m]

Off subject - note to Delfina

Delfina,

This is not related to your tea question (sorry I don't have any info on that!). I noticed that your location is listed as Santa Fe, NM. My husband and I will be relocating (he is a fellow and has just received a 48-month assignment there) to Santa Fe in mid-August. We are expecting our first baby in late Jan., and I thought you might have some words of wisdom regarding how to locate a new OB/midwife. I've seen both St. Vincent's and the Lovelace birthing center. Do you know anything about these centers, and am I missing any other options? I will have to switch to my husband's insurance two months after we move, so I will have to find an OB/midwife that will accept both the insurance I'm on now, and my future coverage - several options would be great!

Thanks so much. I look forward to hearing from you!

[Delfina]

Hi Sara-

Welcome to Santa Fe! I don’t know much about Lovelace, is that in Albuquerque? In Santa Fe your only hospital option is St. Vincent’s. However there are many homebirth midwives and a birthing center in Taos (about 1.5 hours away).

I work at a women’s health center that used to have some wonderful FPs, but by the end of this month they will have all moved elsewhere due to restructuring. I have decided to follow one, Dr. Diane Friedman, who is opening her own practice. The other draw is that the midwife (absolutely wonderful, but no longer does deliveries) from our center will work with her part-time and continue doing her group prenatal classes. These classes are great because it is a nice way for pregnant women to connect and there is always a presentation of interest given at the end.

If you want any more information, or more specific information, let me know. Good luck!

PS - The major OB practices in town are Anasazi Medical Assoc., Isis Medicine and Galisteo OB/GYN. Most offices take a wide range of insurances here.

[sara_m]

Thanks, Delfina. I am really hoping to find something in between the hospital and homebirth options. I sure hate to have to drive to Taos or ABQ for every check up, though, if those are the only places with birthing centers. I would love to get involved with the classes you mentioned. If you are comfortable with the idea, I would love to e-mail you as our move gets closer (5 weeks from now), or even after we're there so I can make some contacts with the group you mentioned. My e-mail address is [e-mail]. Thanks!

[Human_Being]

Nourishment Tea

I really like using herbs, and am a decent herbalist. My favorite pregnancy book is "The Natural Pregnancy Book" by midwife, herbalist, and mom Aviva Jill Romm. It is loaded with good advice for pregnancy discomforts. It is like having a midiwfe at your side all the time.

My herb tea pregnancy drink comes from this book- the Nourishment Tea Recipe. I modified it a bit to my tastes, and this is what I am drinking, mostly iced (occ. warm in the morning whe nI just make it), and I love it:

In a large Jar I mixed:
2 cups Red Raspberry Leaf
2 Cups Nettle Leaf
1 cup OAtstraw
1/2 cup alfalfa
1/2 cup rose hips
1/2 cup lemon balm (for flavor- I substitued for her recommendation of 1/4 cup spearmint, which I am not crazy about)
1/4 cup red clover

In the morning or before bed I boil about 1 1/2 qts water, throw in a handful of herbs from the jar, and let it sit at least two hours, sometimes overnight. Then I strain and put in a 2 qt pitcher, filling up to top with cold water or ice. I drink one pitcher about every two days. It is fine for kids and husbands to drink too.

This tea has tons of minerals, is a uterine toner, and blood builder. It also has oats and lemon balm which are good for nerves, and the rose hips have lots of vitamin C.

I get the herbs from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/, my health food carries some of the herbs, but I like the price and quality from this company.