Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture.

Red Raspberry Leaf tea has a rich flavor similar to black tea. It is the best known herb for pregnancy. It contains fragrine (also called framamine), an alkaloid, which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvis and uterus. It strengthens the uterine wall during preganancy, reduces the pain of childbirth, and helps to reduce false labor pains.

After childbirth it is used to decrease uterine swelling and cut down on post-partum bleeding. It is used to ease menstrual cramps and to regulate the flow during menstruation.

It is also good for vomiting in small children, and dysentery and diarrhea in infants.

Red Raspberry is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and E, as well as the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients make it an excellent prevention and treatment for anemia and leg cramps, as well as a beneficial remedy for the reduction of morning sickness.

The high mineral content also assists in the production of breast milk. The uterine toning has assists contractions and checks any hemorrhage during labour.

As a tannin-rich astringent it is useful for diarrhea, leucorrhea and other loose conditions. Also used for easing of mouth problems such as mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and inflammations. As a gargle it will help sore throats.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'The Raspberry contains a crystallizable fruit-sugar, a fragrant volatile oil, pectin, citric and malic acids, mineral salts, colouring matter and water. The ripe fruit is fragrant, subacid and cooling: it allays heat and thirst, and is not liable to acetous fermentation in the stomach.'

'Raspberry vinegar is an acid syrup made with the fruit-juice, sugar and white-wine vinegar, and when added to water forms an excellent cooling drink in summer, suitable also in feverish cases, where the acid is not an objection. It makes a useful gargle for relaxed, sore throat.'

'A home-made wine, brewed from the fermented juice of ripe Raspberries, is antiscrofulous, and Raspberry syrup dissolves the tartar of the teeth.'

'The fruit is also utilized for dyeing purposes.'

'Medicinal Action and Uses: Astringent and stimulant. Raspberry Leaf Tea, made by the infusion of 1 oz. of the dried leaves in a pint of boiling water, is employed as a gargle for sore mouths, canker of the throat, and as a wash for wounds and ulcers. The leaves, combined with the powdered bark of Slippery Elm, make a good poultice for cleansing wounds, burns and scalds, removing proud flesh and promoting healing.'

'An infusion of Raspberry leaves, taken cold, is a reliable remedy for extreme laxity of the bowels. The infusion alone, or as a component part of injections, never fails to give immediate relief. It is useful in stomach complaints of children.'

'Raspberry Leaf Tea is valuable during parturition. It should be taken freely - warm.'

'Preparation: Fluid extract, 1 to 2 drachms.'

'The Raspberry grows wild as far north as lat. 70 degrees, and southward it appears to have been abundant on Mount Ida, in Asia Minor, lat. 39 degrees 40'. It was known to the Ancients, and Linnaeus retained the classic name of Ida, with which it was associated by Dioscorides. It was called in Greek Batos Idaia, and in Latin Rubus Idaea, the Bramble of Mount Ida. Gerard calls it Raspis or Hindberry, and Hindberry is a derivation of the Saxon name Hindbeer.'

King's 1898 Dispenasatory: 'These plants are useful as astringents. An infusion or decoction of the leaves of raspberry (see Rubus Idaeus), or the bark of the roots of the other two, has been found an excellent remedy in diarrhoea, dysentery (chronic), cholera infantum, relaxed conditions of the intestines of children, passive hemorrhage from the stomach, bowels, or uterus, and in colliquative diarrhoea.'

'The decoction, used as an injection, is useful in gonorrhoea, gleet, leucorrhoea, and prolapsus uteri and ani. In prolapsus uteri, it may be used either alone or combined with the internal use of a decoction of equal parts of black cohosh and blackberry roots, taken freely.'

'The leaves of raspberry, in decoction with cream, will allay nausea and vomiting, and, combined with aromatics, have been found useful in diarrhoea, cholera morbus, and cholera infantum.'

'It is said that raspberry will, during labor, increase the activity of the uterine contractions when these are feeble, even in instances where ergot has failed, and that it has been found serviceable in after-pains.'

Eclectic Materia Medica, 1922 (Felter): 'An infusion of the leaves is useful in the diarrhea of relaxation, with copious watery discharges.'