Red Raspberry Leaf Tea tribe

Birth Junky · 09-26-2005, 01:02 PM

Okay, I'm going to give it a try--several of us are trying a RRL tea regimen during our pregnancies to see if it makes a difference in labor & birth. I thought it might be nice to have a tribal area where we can post about the specifics of the program: checking in to make sure we are drinking our daily "dose", where to find good supplies of the tea, ways to make the tea more palatable (although I have no problems with the taste, I know that not EVERYONE loves it!

), etc.

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

nmm2112 · 09-26-2005, 01:06 PM

Hi! I'm not due until the end of May but LOVE RRL tea!!! I drank it with my first two pregnancies and love it -- My favorite thing to add to it is Maple syrup!!!

But then again I love maple syrup with anything!

Birth Junky · 09-26-2005, 01:07 PM

So, I thought I would start things off with an initial post (past the introduction).

I am starting my 14th weeks of pregnancy tomorrow (due date is March 28); this is DH and my first child. As an aspiring midwife who has been studying pregnancy and birth for a LOOOONG time, I am planning on having as natural a pregnancy as possible, and am doing everything I can to prepare both physically and mentally.

I did not discover the RRL tea thread until I was already pregnant, so I didn't start the program RIGHT at the beginning--I started on the first day of my second trimester. However, I am planning on continuing with my daily cup of RRL tea until the end of the pregnancy, and will be doing the extra-strong infusion once labor begins.

So far I am drinking my tea hot, with nothing added--no sugar, no honey. I think it would probably be very tasty cold as well, but since the summer is ending I will probably wait to try that until my NEXT pregnancy.

That's about all from me, so far--I look forward to getting to know all of you in the months to come, and hearing your birth stories!

yvonnemlv · 09-27-2005, 01:10 AM

16 weeks along, started tea in 2nd trimester, due in March. Another person who loves the taste of the tea unsweetened! Mmmmm... it feels so yummy in my tummy.

lilsishomemade · 09-27-2005, 06:29 AM

I am 17 weeks along, and started RRL at the beginning, though I could get a little more consistent with it. I am very excited to read the extra info found (I'm def. going to do the strong infusion). This will be our third child, and my fifth pregnancy. I'm glad this tribe was started, to help me remember to drink up! In fact, I'll go make my cup now......

Milkymommi · 09-27-2005, 10:23 AM

Hi Mamas!!! I just noticed your tribe and was curious if any of you would be interested in some FREE rrl tea? I was also going to do this yummy wonderful regimen but I actually miscarried on September 1st @ 9 1/2 weeks

I only opened the tea to smell it because I lost the baby when it was on it's way to me in the mail... double

Needless to say I'd love to see one of you or two benefit from it. I purchased it from an MDC Mama - Snowboardmommy. She is a wahm who advertises here on a banner add. Great stuff!

I have 2 tins of loose tea. Both are net weight 2oz. Both Organic Pregnancy Infusion- 1 Simply Red Rasberry and the other is Nothin' But Nettle. She also included some freebies that I'll send too... a sample size of 2 other preggie teas Zippy Citrus, Original blend, and some 100% natural also vegan Bodacious Belly Cream that she makes.

So I guess first come first serve... just pm me your address and I'll ship it off! I don't mind sending it to two people if more than one would like although I only have one tin of actual rrlt. They are all for pregnancy

You guys decide.

nubianamy · 10-05-2005, 10:48 AM

I just use loose RRL and nettle from the coop. I make an infusion the way my midwife instructed, based on Susun Weed's recipe -- which is just a small handful of each leaf, in a large glass container (I use a big canning jar) with a tight-fitting lid. Boil water, pour over leaves (put a knife in the jar to redirect some of the heat and prevent the jar from cracking).

I drink about 24 oz a day, but I skip a day now and then. I drink it cold. When I go into labor, I'll go with the HOT HOT HOT recommendation. I don't flavor it -- I think it's good by itself.

Danielsmom · 10-05-2005, 08:05 PM

Hi, I want to join your tribe!

I have access to plenty of raspberry bushes (organically grown) and I was wondering...do I just pick the leaves and brew them? Also, where can I get Susun Weed's recipe for the tea?

I picked some leaves yesterday but don't knoiw if I should dry them out for the winter (and how to do that) or just brew them fresh while I can. I should be able to get a fresh stash until the end of October.

provocativa · 10-07-2005, 09:18 AM

What else do you put in your tea besides RRL? I'm using nettle, alfalfa, oatstraw, and dandelion. I forgot to make it the past two days, or I was too lazy. The RRL story page galvanized me, I'll have some soon.

Birth Junky · 10-07-2005, 11:10 AM

I like the idea of adding some extra herbs to the tea, to vary the flavor and increase the nutrient content. I will definitely order some bulk nettle when I reorder my RRL (I'm a big fan of nettle); S. Weed also recommends dandelion, and peppermint or spearmint for flavor/energy.

Mmmmm, my mouth is watering at the thought of tea . . . going to go make my daily cup right now!

provocativa · 10-07-2005, 02:50 PM

I wish I could use the mints, but the relaxation effect exacerbates my nearly constant heartburn.

Birth Junky · 10-09-2005, 11:41 AM

OUCH, Provocativa! My mother's sisters all had horrendous heartburn during their pregnancies . . . I'm hoping to avoid it myself, but waiting to find out.

Have you tried papaya enzyme tablets?

AngelBee · 10-09-2005, 11:46 AM

:

Do any of you feel crampy when you drink it? Not bad crampy.....just a little squeezy in your uterus?

: Hope that makes sense...

Birth Junky · 10-13-2005, 04:04 PM

Hmmm . . . haven't noticed any crampy feelings myself.

How far along are you, AngelBee? Is it possible you are feeling early Braxton-Hicks?

nubianamy · 10-13-2005, 08:24 PM

Susun Weed's recipe can be found in her wonderful book, Wise Woman's Herbal for the Childbearing Year. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...l/-/0961462000

Danielsmom · 10-13-2005, 08:49 PM

Thank you Nubianamy!

giarose · 10-16-2005, 02:15 PM

Hi, can I join the tribe too? I started drinking rrl tea with nettles every day for the past few weeks. I only drank it during the last trimester during my first pregnancy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelBee

:

Do any of you feel crampy when you drink it? Not bad crampy.....just a little squeezy in your uterus?

: Hope that makes sense...

I know what you are talking about. I'm about 15 weeks pregnant and I do feel a little crampy when I drink the tea, nothing like BH or anything bad, it's always very brief and doesn't hurt, but it is definitely something noticeable.

Girl Named Sandoz · 10-16-2005, 02:36 PM

I drank this from 5 months onwards when I ws PG with my ds. My pushing phase was very short and quick. He practically shot out. :LOL I know it is supposed to help 'tone' the uterus for birth and I do believe it worked for me!

gilamama · 10-26-2005, 08:03 PM

How much leaves to you use whenm you brew your tea? how much rrl? nettle? anything else? how long do you let it brew for?

I do nettle rrl peppermint and rosehips with honey but not sure how much rrl and nettle is important to have. I just make sure it all fits in my tea ball.

So ladies? What is your recipe?

mommy2madison03 · 11-02-2005, 08:16 AM

I am pregnant, due in July, and I want to join this tribe! I have never had this tea and don't know where to buy it. Do most of you buy it over the net? I don't want to go out and buy some and it not be the real thing. I'd rather not have the tea bags. Also how much should I buy?