Herbal Update; Red Raspberry

Good morning this is Rosana rich. Your local herbalist for healthier Maine. The topic of today's herbal update is red raspberry. Both the leaf and the berry of this delicious plant has enjoyed years of use in many cultures. Even the scientific community has praised raspberry leaf as a safe and effective uterine tonic. But is Vermont herbalist Rosemary glad star says the real value of raspberry has long been established by the actual experience of thousands of women all over the world throughout the ages. Raspberry leaf is a powerful broad spectrum herb with astringent properties and astringent Herb has a binding action. I mucous membranes and the skin. Bio chemical constituents called tenons are responsible for this property the high concentration of tenants in red raspberry have made it an excellent herb for dysentery diarrhea and excessive bleeding.

The tendons actually reduce irritation and inflammation and thereby create a barrier against infection. This safe effective herb is useful for many childhood diseases where fevers and diarrhea symptoms dominate herbalist fine raspberry were liable for childhood eruptive diseases such as measles and chicken pox. Raspberry is a nutritive tonic high in vitamins and minerals particularly calcium in iron making raspberry an excellent tonic for building healthy teeth and bones. Vitamins B C and E phosphorus potassium magnesium and zinc are abundant in the leaves and the fruit. One of the most effective mouthwash as I know is made of a strong tea from equal parts of rest fairly sage and calendula flowers. Once again the astringent property of rest Berry tones ensues.

Bleeding and irritated gums. Raspberry can also be used for canker sores of the tongue and sore throats. One of raspberries bio chemical constituents is an alkaloid cold fragrant fragrant is high in concentration in the rest Berry leaves and contributes to red berries best known use that of a pregnancy tonic as a pregnancy tonic. Raspberry tones and relaxes the pelvic and uterine muscles and MacIntyre a well-known English herbalist recommends a cup of raspberry tea a day after the third month of pregnancy. After the six month she recommends as much as three cups a day. As always it is best to consult a qualified health care practitioner during these times. Raspberries overall effect on the smooth muscles of the uterus help to reduce the pain of contractions

during childbirth and make the contractions more effective and productive. These actions facilitate and ease the childbirth process because of its tonic effect on the stomach and bowels Raspberry has the additional use of quelling nausea during pregnancy. Taken after birth. Raspberry helps to tone and strengthen the pelvic muscles as the tissues regain their integrity. Continued infusions of raspberry tea enriching promote mother's milk raspberry knows no gender. It is equally effective for the male reproductive system. It provides both nutrients and tone qualities. The Chinese have used raspberry to strengthen and tone the kidneys raspberries toning effect on the urinary tract. Sooth irritated mucous membranes that accompany bladder infections. Raspberry is a member of the Rose family. Both the wild and cultivated

species can be use Rubeus still go SSAs and Rubeus eye Davis respectively. Raspberry leaves are best harvested before the plant flowers and should be dried quickly. Like most or the constituents in the dried leaves are stable for about one year when stored properly. I like to keep my herb stored in clean glass jars protected from air and light. I take one more precautionary step with powdered herbs and place the entire jar in a brown bag. I do this because powdered herbs have a greater surface area exposed that require greater protection. Raspberry has long been used as a koan Arry for delicious vinegar and cordials and juices those flavorful succulent berries. Make a fabulous pie or yogurt frappe. Don't let the summer go by without a bowl full of raspberries and a fresh infusion of raspberry

tea. If you would like a bibliography of today's herbal update write to me was on a ridge here of W E Are you the hen house Blue Hill falls over 4 6 1 5.