RRL Tea Drinkers

[sarahn4639]

Edited 11/28 There is indepth info on RRL tea in post #8 for anyone that is interested. As we are in the 3rd trimester now I was wondering if anyone was keeping up with their tea? I have been terrible with it but am getting back in the swing. I am at 1 cup a day and will try to get to 2 strongly brewed cups a day at 34 weeks and 3 cups a day from there on. Anyone want to join me?

*Original post*
I know there is a thread in the main pregnancy forum, but it is just so large I thought it might be nice to have our own. So, anyother RRL tea drinkers? I'd like to have a thread to help remind and educate us and then we can all share our short, easy, wonderful birth stories!!

I have been drinking 1 cup a day. I plan to go to 2 cups in the 2nd trimester, 3 in the third, and then a strong infusion in labor.

Does anyone know about harvesting and drying your own leaves? I have 2 raspberry plants in my yard so I harvested some leaves this week (before and during blooming) and have them hanging to dry. So how long does it take for them to be totally dried? How many leaves per cup for tea? Do you store them in the cupboard, fridge, freezer?

[noordinaryspider]

I haven't started the RRL yet, because I'm being extremely cautious about this pregnancy at first. I did drink lots of it with my big kids, so I intend to drink it in this one too. Your schedule sounds reasonable to me, only towards the tail end of the third trimester I would brew up a fairly strong infusion in the morning, chill it, and keep a bottle of it with me to sip on throughout the day.

I'll probably wait a week or two after :af would have been here before I start with the RRL, since a ten day old person is very new.

[sarahn4639]

I totally understand waiting a bit. I've read several things that recommend waiting until the second trimester, on the other hand I've read several other places that RRL tea has been used to prevent miscarriage. I figure since I have no real history of m/c and I'm feeling good I'll keep it up and I can stop if I feel it necessary. I have noticed MUCH less cramping this time than with my daughter. I have no idea if it is the RRL or because my uterus has already been stretched before or what.

I like your idea of sipping a strong infusion through the final days. Did you have short/easy labors with your older kids? Do you feel the RRL tea fulfilled the legend of easy birth? I had a good birth last time and am really using it for the nutrients but I figure if there is a way to make the contractions "easier" too I'll go for it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic.

[noordinaryspider]

My labors were definitely easy and good. Phoenix was 12 hours, dd was 6, and ds was 10.

With ds, exy kept pressuring/teasing me about how long the labor was taking, but I wouldn't have wanted it any faster.

I'm having a UC this time around, so it may be faster than the midwife-attended births but it's not a race; ds's birth was easier and more rewarding than dd's.

I wouldn't even think about skipping the RRL because it really did do everything it was supposed to do. I wish I could remember when I started drinking it before, but I'm pretty sure it was one cup a day as soon as I found out about the babes, which would have been later than 10dpo back in the late '80s/early '90s.

It also just tastes like pregnancy to me. ;) Even before I started TTCing, I would sometimes sit down and drink a cup of it just for the memories.

[lovetobemama]

OK, SarahN and Noordinaryspider, what is all this about the raspberry tea? I'm totally intrigued. I had only previously heard of drinking it around your due date to help regulate your uterine contractions and help get labor going when it was time. I drank it often in the week before DS was born, and could feel that my contractions were more smooth and regular, but I have never heard before about it helping you to have a shorter, easier labor if you drank it regularly during pregnancy.:dizzy:

Would you mind explaining here, or would you rather I just check out the other thread and see what others have said?

Thanks!

[Canita]

OK, SarahN and Noordinaryspider, what is all this about the raspberry tea? I'm totally intrigued. I had only previously heard of drinking it around your due date to help regulate your uterine contractions and help get labor going when it was time. I drank it often in the week before DS was born, and could feel that my contractions were more smooth and regular, but I have never heard before about it helping you to have a shorter, easier labor if you drank it regularly during pregnancy.:dizzy:

Would you mind explaining here, or would you rather I just check out the other thread and see what others have said?

Thanks!


I second that! I tried reading that GIANT RRL tread, but there was just too much! I'd love to know what the appeal of the tea is! I've also only heard of drinking it during labor/due date time.

[Miss Blue]

What is RRL?

[sarahn4639]

Oh I'm so glad you all asked! RRL is red raspberry leaf, it has to be the leaf. There is belief that taking it through out pregnancy helps your uterus be in such good shape that it makes birth easier! It's like running a marathon, if you are usually just a walker would be really hard, but if you trained and worked out then that marathon would be much easier. Well the RRL helps to tone and strengthen the uterus for the marathon of birth! Here is the story from the thread in pregnancy:
For anyone who hasn't seen the original "Red Raspberry Leaf Tea Story" thread, here it is (taken from Rodale's Encyclopedia):

The Raspberry Leaf Tea Story

Tea made from raspberry leaves is the best-known herbal aid in pregnancy. Rather than go into all the traditional lore about this herb, we present the following lengthy account, because it is both contemporaneous and highly specific.

"My mother was born and raised in Scotland, coming to america at the age of 26. Whenever a member of her family became ill or had a health problem, her mother had consulted an herbalist or herb doctor. As a result of this, I was treated with herbs as a child.
"Mother had always told me that red raspberry leaf tea would prevent miscarriage and was excellent for pregnany and chilbirth. When I became pregnant, I immediately sent for some raspberry leaf tea and began taking one cup of it each day, made from one teaspoon of dried leaves added to one cup of boiling water and steeped for 15 minutes. I had a very normal pregnancy. Then I went into labor, I truly expected to have an easy labor and delivery because I had faithfully taken the tea. While it is true that I did not have a complicated or extremely difficult time, it was not by any means easy. The tea had not lived up to my expectations.
"It was not until sometimes after the birth of my daughter that I read a book my mother had brought with her from Scotland entitled Dragged to Light by W.H. Box of Plymouth, England. In it I found the secret of just how to take the tea so it would truly work wonders during labor and delivery. Box said, 'On one ounce of raspberry leaves pour one pint of boiling water, cover and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain, and when the time for delivery is approaching drink the whole as hot as possible.'
"There were a number of testimonials in the book written by women who had used this herb. Several took the strong solution over a period of time before going into labor. They were instructed in that case to take a wineglassful three times a day. They had 'only two stiff pains and it was all over' or 'no after pains and very slight before.' They never made it out of the house. Box's instructions were, 'But those who take the tea considerably before the time should not leave the house when the time is approaching as many mothers are delivered almost suddenly when at their work, to the great veaxtion of doctors and nurses.'
"When I became pregnant again I was determined to try it that way. I still took a cup a day as I had before. but this time when I went into labor I made a strong solution of it as I had read in the book. I put it in a container and took it to the hospital with me. I wasn't sure how quickly it would work and I didn't want to have the baby in the car. I didn't think they'd allow me to drink it in the hospital so I drank half of it in the parking lot. I was afraid to drink all of it as it was so strong and I didn't personally know anyone who had taken it this strong before. I had been having strong contractions but by the time I registered and was taken up to the labor room the contractions were so mild I hardly felt them. Upon examination they said I was ready to deliver and would not even give me an enema. In the delivery room I was quite comfortable and hardly felt anything. One hour after entering the hospital my son was born.
"In the recovery room there were several other young women who had just given birth also. They were moaning abd groaning. I couldn't imagine what they were making a fuss about as I felt like I could have gotten up and gone home. I had always read and heard about women getting after-pains with a second child. I never had even one. This was also the testimony of a number of women who were treated with the tea by Box.
"Later I thought I would have had an easy time anyway since it was my second child. I was anxious for someon else to try it. A friend of mine was expection a baby in a few weeks and she had been taking a cup of the tea daily and was also goig to take the strong solution when she went into labor. She had had two previous pregnancies and both times nearly miscarried and had to take drugs and be in bed a good deal of the time. Both deliveries were extremely difficult. When she became pregnant this time she began spotting and it looked like she would have to go through the same kind of trouble she had before. Having used an herb I had given her for another problem, with success, she asked if there was an herb for this problem and I recommended raspberry leaf tea.
"She started taking it and the spotting stopped immediately and she had a normal pregnancy, much to the amazement of her family who remembered her difficulties in the past. When she went into labor she took the tea as I had and told me she had only 25 minutes of hard labor before her baby was born.
"I have told a number of women about this amazing herb through the years, but no one else seemed interested enough to try it. However, 1978 my daughter became pregnant and she was very much interested in having an easy delivery. She took the tea each day and had a normal pregnancy. She, too, took the strong solution of the tea with her to the hospital and also being a little wary drank only half of it. When the doctor examined her, it was late in the evening. He said the baby wouldn't be born until six o'clock in the the morning so he went hime. She was having hard contractions at this time and I was very disappointed and felt the tea hadn't worked. An hour and a half later we recieved a call from our son-in-law saying we had a little grandson. The tea started working and the doctor had no sooner reached his home when he had to turn around and come right back to the hospital. My daughter said the next time she is going to drink all of the tea." -- I.A., Utah

[JJJJBlue3333]

This is my first time drinking it from the beginning. I have a cup in the morning and sometimes at night too. I got mine from compleat mother.

[sarahn4639]

Here is some more info on RRL, From Susan Weed (http://www.herbshealing.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm)
The tonics indicated for pregnancy need to be used regularly; a tonic is to the cells much as exercise is to the muscles: not much use when done erratically. Of course even occasional use of tonics during pregnancy will be of benefit, since they do contain nourishing factors. Better benefit will come from using them 5 times a week or more.
Most of the benefits ascribed to regular use of Raspberry tea through pregnancy are traced to the nourishing source of vitamins and minerals found in this plant and to the strengthening power of fragrine - an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself. Of special note are the rich concentration of vitamin C, the presence of vitamin E and the easily assimilated calcium and iron. Raspberry leaves also contain vitamins A and B complex and many minerals, including phosphorous and potassium.

The benefits of drinking a raspberry leaf brew before and throughout pregnancy include:

~ Increasing fertility in both men and women. Raspberry leaf is an excellent fertility herb when combined with Red Clover.

~ Preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage. Raspberry leaf tones the uterus and helps prevent miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage from a relaxed or atonic uterus.

~ Easing of morning sickness. Many attest to raspberry leaves' gentle relief of nausea and stomach distress throughout pregnancy.

~ Reducing pain during labor and after birth. By toning the muscles used during labor and delivery, Raspberry leaf eliminates many of the reasons for a painful delivery and prolonged recovery. It does not, however, counter the pain of pelvic dilation.

~ Assisting in the production of plentiful breast milk. The high mineral content of Raspberry leaf assist in milk production, but its astringency may counter that for some women.

~ Providing a safe and speedy pariuntion. Raspberry leaf works to encourage the uterus to let go and function without tension. It does not strengthen contractions, but does allow the contracting uterus to work more effectively and so may make the birth easier and faster.

This is from Mountain Rose Herbs (http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/raspberry_leaf.php). Raspberry leaf tea has been used for centuries as a folk medicine to treat canker sores, cold sores, and gingivitis in persons of all ages and anemia, leg cramps, diarrhea, and morning sickness in pregnant women, and as a uterine relaxant. Commentators frequently state that recent scientific research found no benefit in raspberry tea for expectant mothers, but this is not correct. The study published in the Journal of Midwifery and WomenÍs Health in 2001 found that women who drank raspberry leaf tea had shorter labor, and fewer of their babies were delivered by forceps. The other study, published in the Australian College of Midwives Journal, cited in The Natural Pharmacist as saying there was "no" benefit to the herb for pregnant women, actually stated:
"The findings also suggest ingestion of the drug might decrease the likelihood of pre and post-term gestation. An unexpected finding in this study seems to indicate that women who ingest raspberry leaf might be less likely to receive an artificial rupture of their membranes, or require a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth than the women in the control group."
In other words, scientific studies show that drinking raspberry tea actually is beneficial during pregnancy.

http://www.bulkherbstore.com/RRLC?id=sWxxcneM
Excerpts from The How the Herb Book
Red Raspberry is used as a basic herbal foundation for all female organs and problems. It is in many female combinations.

Strengthens wall of uterus and entire female reproductive system.
Decreases profuse menstrual flow.
Good during all months of pregnancy. Alleviates morning sickness and nausea. Has been used as a preventative for hemorrhaging during labor. Assists labor, makes delivery easier and relieves after pains. Tones and regulates before, during and after childbirth.
Increases and enriches milk for lactation, can be combined with marshmallow tea.
Raspberry tea is mild and pleasant to taste. It is good for stomachaches and bowel problems in children. For diarrhea in babies.
Soothing to stomach and bowels and cankerous conditions of mucous membranes in the alimentary canal.
High mineral and vitamin source.
Has been used in the following:

*Nausea *Antacid *Childbirth *Colds *Coughs *Diarrhea *Digestion *Female problems *Fevers *Flatulence – gas *Flu – influenza *Gastritis *Labor pains *Decreases menstrual flow *Miscarriage *Mucous membranes *Afterpains of childbirth *Nursing *Pregnancy *Strengthens and tones uterus

[Canita]

sarahn4639-

Thanks for the link to the Bulk Herb Store....placed my order! Anything to streghthen this uterus and get ready for our VBAC!

[lovetobemama]

Thanks SarahN! Can I ask another question?:o

The first quote says that you have to actually pour boiling water directly over the actual leaves. Is this what you do? With my first pregnancy, I just bought some RRL tea bags in a box from Whole Foods. I did feel like the tea helped to regulate my contractions, so it sure seemed like it was doing something, even though it was just some store bought tea bags. Does anyone who is a RRL tea drinker think that the bags from Whole Foods are sufficient, or would you suggest finding whole leaves somewhere and forgoeing the bags?

Thanks!

[sarahn4639]

Glad I can help!:loveeyes: Congrats and :fingersx: for your VBAC Canita!!

Emily, the first quote is from Susan Weed. She is a hard core herbalist so she says what she thinks is best, naturally harvested leaves. I agree that the loose leaf is probably best because it will almost always be fresher but I do think the bags are fine. I use loose leaf I bought at a health food store and just ordered some bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs. On top of that I harvested some from my raspberry plants in my back yard so I actually have very fresh, whole leaves to use. I actually also have some Traditional Medicinal Organic RRL tea bags. I get them because I'm a doula to give as samples. Well they send them faster than I can give them so I just use what I have left in one box when the next arrives. I like them just fine and they are nice when I'm running out the door or just don't feel like messing with anything. So in my very long winded way of answering I'll say loose leaves are probably the best quality but I don't see anything wrong with the tea bags, just try to get them as fresh as possible.

[ShanghaiMama]

Ahhhh...thanks for such helpful information, Ladies! I'm also in the VBAC boat with you Canita...and will do almost anything to boost my chances when the Big Day arrives.

I will try to find RRL tea locally, but have not seen it before (there is a lot of tea in China, but no luck seeing RRL!). Next time I'm in the US (Aug), I suppose I'll buy a bunch...but will it keep for several months? or does it need to be fresh?

[Miss Blue]

Wow! I can't believe I haven't heard of this before. I am going today to the health food store to get a couple of items and I will definitely look for the tea. You guys are great!!

[egg]

I've actually heard that red raspberry leaf tea can be dangerous during the first trimester, and can cause miscarriage. Has anyone else heard that? I've been avoiding it for that reason, although I love the taste.

[frontierpsych]

Ooh, yay! I just realised I now have an excuse to drink RRL tea again! Yum!

[noordinaryspider]

I'd also read the studies that show RRL in the first trimester can increase the risk of miscarriage and I'm unbelievably paranoid, even though I've seen other studies that recommend starting it right away. I started it immediately with all three of my live births (but not my 10 week loss) so RRL will always taste like pegnancy to me,. During my vast 16 year gap between my two youngest children, I'd frequently brew a cup of RRL just to remember.

I went ahead and started it with little dc on the day :af was supposed to arrive, but I've been keping it down to one cup a day (which even the frightening studies considered to be safe) and I make it fairly weak in the microwave.

My first midwife was also a big advocate of nettles and comfrey, but when I went to pick those up, the store said that comfrey was not recommended for pregnant women; does anyone know anything about that?

[sarahn4639]

bumping this back up to see if there are other RRL drinkers out there now.

[BabyBump]

I've drank the tea, but am currently out. My pre natal vitamins from Whole Foods also contain RRL.

[Gunter]

i put two tea bags in one cup almost every morning. it helped replace that "slow sipping coffee with computer time" in the morning. if i forget or am out the door too quickly, i try to have some later.

[Teenytoona]

I don't know how I missed this thread to begin with!! I've been drinking it since I saw that HUGE thread in "I'm Pregnant" and ordered myself some. There's a fairly local place here that sells herbs, and RRL tea (even organic) was amonst their offerings. Stony Mountain Botanicals (http://www.wildroots.com/) is the website. I can't remember the prices, but it seemed even the organic was fairly reasonable, as was shipping, so I bought that (usually it's a bit out of my budget). I got a pretty sizeable bag, that will last me at least a year. Of course Mr Toona says it smells like "homegrown" :lol but I think it's a good fresh smelling leaf. It tastes, to me, like a cross between green and oolong tea, so that makes me happy too!

I've been drinking it for a while. I started out off and on, but now I'm pretty consistently drinking it at work every day. I stuff some in my tea ball, and pour steaming hot water from the coffee brewing machines on top of it, and let it steep a good long while (15 -30 mins). I've yet to drink it on the weekends, because I can't seem to keep a teapot whole anymore, my sink likes to break glass! But I am glad to see that drinking it five times a week is good!

I've been drinking about 10 oz five days a week. I'm trying to bring that up to 2 10oz mugs, but I've not stepped that up yet.

I've read it's good to mix it with nettles and alfalfa and a few other things. I'm considering the alfalfa (should the budget allow), but I can't get past nettles. I've been stung so many times that I'm really turned off by comsuming them. I know it's not a stinging conconction, but I just can't wrap my mind around it. I'm quirktastic when it comes to mean plants.:p

[applecore]

I'm drinking local organic RRL with nettles, alfalfa, and red clover. I consider it my multivitamin!

[snozzberry]

I've yet to drink it on the weekends, because I can't seem to keep a teapot whole anymore, my sink likes to break glass!How about a stainless steel tea kettle? :)

I've been drinking a cup a day since 3 months before I got pregnant, except I'm also not so good about remembering on the weekends. I think I'll increase to 2 cups a day once I hit 28 weeks.

I love my blend. :love It was recommended by my naturopath. It has RRL, hibiscus, nettles, and dandelion root. I go to a local herb shop and just have them mix up 1 oz of each, and it lasts a few weeks. The hibiscus gives a really nice flavor!

[FelixMom]

Here in Quebec we have a RRL blend by Clef des Champs that includes nettle, peppermint and red clover. For all my 3 pregnancies I've been chugging away. For my most recent pregnancy and this one, I boil 1 tbsp to 1L of water and drink it through out the day. Certainly, with DD's labour I was happy to be pushing for only 20 minutes instead of 5 hours :dropjaw for my first. But it's hard to say whether regular RRL was entirely responsible for this. Like a pp, I like to consider this brew my multi-vitamin.

[steph117]

I drink it too! About a month before TTC I added RRL to my daily nettle infusion - my herbalist told me to stop when I got pregnant & start up again week 14 (she's had clients spot/bleed with RRL, though obviously some people experience the opposite!). So throughout the first trimester, I had 2C of nettle a day. Starting in week 14, I made it a 1/2 nettle/1/2 RRL infusion & dfrink 2 cups of that, so I get 1 cup of each per day. I've recently also added a bit of oat tops, & a splash of separately-infused hibiscus/rose hips (like snozzberry).

I do separate infusions in quart jars, so it lasts me 4 days. I use appx 1/4 cup of whatever in the quart jar (adding some oat tops to one of them), pour boiling water over it, cap it, infuse overnight & strain in the morning. (I do a cold infusion of the hibiscus/rose hips since I've been told that preserves the vitamin C content.) So each day, I take to work: a Klean Kanteen (40 oz) containing 1C of nettle/oat, 1C of RRL, about 1/4C of hibiscus/rose hips, & some water - I drink it throughout the day. Yum! I'll probably start adding an additional cup of RRL in the latter weeks of the PG.

I love how nettles, infused on their own, create a dark dark green, almost black liquid. It's soooo earthy.

I use solar-dried organic bulk leaves from Healing Spirits Herb Farm (http://healingspiritsherbfarm.com/)- a bit pricey but incredible quality; they're a mom/pop farm in NY who organically grow/wildcraft & solar-dry everything themselves. Teenytoona, you'd hate the nettle - it's so fresh it'll actually sting you a little if you touch it with your bare hands. :)

[sarahn4639]

I love that there are other drinkers out there! I can't wait to hear how our births go. I also add nettle to mine and I have alfalfa I was going to add in the last few weeks to help up my/babies Vit K. I don't have any idea how much I should be adding. I just stuff some RRL and nettle in my tea ball and steep 20-30 min in probably 10-12oz water. I have no idea how much I'm actually even using. I got mine from Mountain Rose Herbs and am happy with the quality. I used my own harvested from my yard for a while and don't notice a whole lot of difference so it must be pretty fresh!

What sort of ratios are you all using? Does it matter much? I also read, I think on Susan Weed's website, that they are more effective if brewed separately. Any feelings on that? I always drop in a bag of pepermint into mine because I am not a big fan of the flavor but I like pepermint tea and it covers the taste wonderfully! It is also helpful if I have heartburn.

[smokeylo]

I drink it daily, but not as much as I probably should!

[noordinaryspider]

I'm up to a quart of infusion a day. My recipe:

Boil 1 Tbsp oat straw in about a pint of water for 20 minutes. Pour over 1 Tbsp nettles, 1 Tbsp alfalfa, and four Tbsp RRL. Add enough additional water to make a quart. Steep for about 23 hours.

All of a sudden there's an enormous shortage of RRL in my town! I used to have no trouble waiting until the last minute to replenish my stock and now there's none to be found in any of the stores. Fortunately, I have friends who grow raspberries and was not beyond begging.

Now the nettle shortage is going to get me, so I really apprciate the links for where I can get herbs online.

Babies do tend to come in crops, so I'm not surprised, but I wish I KNEW some of these IRL mommies! :lol My IRL friends are all either childless kids in their 20s/early 30s or parents of MUCH older children.

[Teenytoona]

snippity snip

I use solar-dried organic bulk leaves from Healing Spirits Herb Farm (http://healingspiritsherbfarm.com/)- a bit pricey but incredible quality; they're a mom/pop farm in NY who organically grow/wildcraft & solar-dry everything themselves. Teenytoona, you'd hate the nettle - it's so fresh it'll actually sting you a little if you touch it with your bare hands. :)

Oh My word, you are a braver soul than I! I can't imagine handling it voluntarily! ha! But, I know they're supposed to be really good for you, I just can't bring myself to bear to drink it!!

[mom2tillie]

I didn't know about RRL tea for my last pregnancy, but I started drinking it regularly at the start of my second trimester this time. 2-3 cups per day, which I am still doing. I have been using the traditional medicinals type but I order other herbs from Mountain Rose so I think I'll go ahead a purchase some leaf from them and start making a stronger brew. I always drink it very hot, usually with honey, sometimes with Splenda and I sprinkle a little dried dandelion root and nettle into my first cup. I take the dandelion root for overall immune health. I also take Soveriegn Silver, Milk Thistle, DHA, and chlorophyll daily in addition to my prenatal vitamin and drink about 2 gallons of water (and a healthy diet).

Sounds like we have a lot of VBAC moms due in Feb... I am doing all I can to be successful... sitting on the birth ball, reading success stories, researching, praying, sucking down the RRL, etc... good luck to all of us!

-Iris

[Greeneyes0506]

I drink two strong cups daily.

[sunkist33]

Thanks for posting this! I had forgotten that I had red rasp. leaf tea in the pantry. I think I'll start w/ 2 teabags/ day and go up as the big day approaches.
The tea I have is "Yogi." Does anyone know if this is strong enough or should I look into purchasing the actual leaves?
Thanks,
Stacy

[NamastePlatypus]

I drink the Blessed Beginnings Pregnacy tea, it has RRL but other stuff too. My aunt drank it with her first, had a easy four hour labor, didn't with the second and had a 19 hour labor similiar to mine with e. I am drinking about 3 cups a day, it is our unoffical experiment.