The Mother herb

Red Raspberry is one of the most versatile herbs I have ever come across. Not only can it be used for literally like everything, but it also taste good. Did you read that? It is one herb that almost everyone can get on board with. Raspberry was one of the first herbs I came across when I started dabbling with herbs years ago. An easy choice because you can't do any harm with it. So, really I was setting myself up for success by not dealing with an herb I could kill someone with. haha.

So, What does it do?

I am quite glad that you asked. Red Raspberry is a mainly known an astringent (constricts tissues), tonic and stimulant. As an astringent, it would be used for things like a cut, hemmrrhoids, ulcers and to reduce the flow of blood during a period. As a tonic, it would be used to help replenish the body through a tea or tincture. The reason for this is because it is PACKED with vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and iron. B vitamans and iron are essential to healthy blood. The vitamins and minerals are alson one reason it is an excellent choice for pregnancy . As a stimulent, it can and often does help bring long term energy (b vitamins, remember?). Further, let us not forget.. it just tastes good. It can compliment most any herbal tea.

The Woman's best friend This herb is often championed as the 'woman's best friend'. I am not trying to leave you 'guys' out, because it can absolutely be beneficial for you too, as I mentioned above! However, this herb has been proven safe and incredibly helpful for menstration, pregnancy, birth, post partum, and menopause. As a tonic it is often used to help slow the flow of menstration. It is also helpful in easing the pain of menstration. In pregnancy, it is used as a tonic to help tone the uterus for labor and delivery. Perhaps one of the most loved benefits is that it can help with morning sickness. (Thank God). Studies have shown that women who drink raspberry tea throughout their pregnancy often have a shorter, less painful labor. Postpartum, it is used to help the uterus contract back to regular size. Also, again, it has so many vitamins and minerals to help build back the body after birth. If you are breastfeeding, it helps in milk production. In menopause, it helps in restoring and maintaining (you guessed it)vital vitamins and minerals which in turn help to regulate hormones. For every stage of life, raspberry has an answer.

How do I use it?

This is quite easy. The obvious answer is you can use the fruit. You can buy the fruit from the store, a farmers market, or pick it from your backyard. However, when I talk about using it, I am mainly referring to using the leaves. The leaves are used in teas, tinctures, salves etc. They are often dried for storgage before use, but you can use them fresh. I have done it all, and it is all.. amazing. Luckily, because raspberry is deemed safe in most all circumstances, you can readily find tea bags at most stores now. However, I will say that nothing quite beats making it yourself. I will be adding some general information on how to make a tea, tincture etc.. later on, so be sure to stay tuned for that!

All this to say... I am off to finish my own raspberry tea and start thinking ahead to Spring. We have seeds that need to be started and kids that need to be fed. I hope that you will take the time this week to slow down a little and take in the wonderful emergent of life that comes as Spring is being ushered in. -Angela