Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus) *The ultimate pregnancy herb

Available either as a dried herb or herbal tincture.

Please note this is a nutritional, functional horse food supplement and not veterinary medicine. See Dr Kellon's Horse Sense - 'Nutrition is not 'Alternative' Therapy.

Tincture

Our human-grade, certified organic tinctures give you a ready-to-absorb potent source of phytonutrients at the highest-strength available, for immediate absorption straight into the bloodstream and to the body’s cells.

100% certified organic pure tincture: Rubus idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf, Infused 1:3 25% , Fresh Organic

Feed Guide

• Horse - 30-40ml / Pony - 15-20ml, daily in feed.
• Always shake the bottle to disperse any sediment.
• 3-year shelf-life.

Dried Herb

Produced to ecological standards and free from agro-chemicals.

Certified organic dried herb: Rubus idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf, Fairwild , Origin Poland

Feed Guide

• 5g/100kg bodyweight per day, thus for an average 500kg horse add 25g daily to feed.
• 1-year shelf-life.

Functional Nutritional Value

Constituents: Tannins (gallotannins, ellagic acid), flavonoids (kaempferol, kaempferol glycosides, quercetin, quercetin glycosides, hyperoside), phenolic acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid), terpenoids (terpinolene, 3-oxo-α-ionol, a-amyrin, β-amyrin, squalene, cycloartenol), alkaloids (fragarine), volatile oils, vitamins (C, B, E), and minerals (calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc).

NB. Our range of botanicals are all grown, harvested and dried without the use of agri-chemicals, non-irradiated and GMO free - see our Quality page for Quality Management & Certification Documents. Laboratory tested for identification and compliance to the British and European Pharmacopoeia standards, and human grade.

Please be aware that if you're purchasing our dried botanicals for human use, our dried range is cut to appropriate sizes for feeding to horses.

More ...

Once upon a time in Greek mythology, there was a nymph called Ida who was the nurse to the infant Zeus. According to the myth, raspberries were white until Ida pricked her finger on the thorns while gathering berries for Zeus; her blood gave the fruits their red colour, and so those who named plants back in the day were inspired to name Raspberry Rubus idaeus . As in - ida and eus, short for Zeus. See?! TaDah!

Whether this is true or not is always going to be up for debate, but what is known is that by the 4th century, Rubus idaeus was all over Europe courtesy of the Romans, and finally arrived in the Americas by the 1700s courtesy of the English explorers.

Dioscorides (of 1 ^st century fame) goes into some detail about blackberry (I know - blackberry isn't raspberry, but stay with me ...), citing the use of its leaves as an astringent for diarrhea and excessive menstrual flow and to strengthen the gums. Of raspberry, he simply writes that it’s similar to blackberry, only adding a couple of indications for eye inflammation and skin infection. These days, these same indications are known for raspberry leaf; it’s often used as an astringent and is considered to have an affinity for the uterus and intestines, plus it contains tannins which give raspberry leaf tea or infusion an astringent taste similar to green or black tea and a toning action on tissues of the body.

Herbalists use raspberry leaf to bring balance to the entire digestive system; one of its most common and longstanding uses is for diarrhea. The Cherokee also used the astringent leaves of blackberry and raspberry for the same, which alongside raspberry leaf’s antispasmodic action in the GI tract is said to help ease spasms and discomfort due to diarrhea and colic, as well as promoting healthy peristalsis in cases of mild constipation, and its antacid and anti-emetic actions against nausea.

It's also some herbalists’ remedy of choice for “allergies or influenza with copious free discharge of clear mucous from the upper respiratory tract”. Certainly Dioscorides loved it for eye inflammation, with the Cherokee peoples also using it for 'eye soreness and inflammation.' Even the Cree name for arctic raspberry ( R. arcticus ) is oskiskomin , meaning ‘eye berry', with a cooled decoction of the plant’s root traditionally used as eye drops for snow blindness.

However. Raspberry is probably best well known for its long history for balancing uterine issues and menstruation. The Cherokee traditionally used the leaf as an antispasmodic for menstrual cramps and the root to address menstrual irregularities, because raspberry leaf contains an alkaloid called fragarine , which in combination with the herb’s other beneficial constituents, gives tone to the uterus and other muscles of the pelvic region. According to herbalist Rosemary Gladstar (who is renowned in herbalist circles), “Raspberry leaf serves as both a uterine relaxant and stimulant, thus causing a regulating action in the uterus”.

It's for this reason that we find it so beneficial to the equine mare.

The womb-strengthening abilities of fragarine helps the uterus to contract more smoothly, reducing cramping. The astringency of raspberry is also used to lessen the effects of heavy seasons.

Raspberry leaf is also widely used during pregnancy to strengthen the uterus and prepare the body for labour, a use which was originally introduced by the indigenous peoples of North America. The Cherokee have traditionally used raspberry root as a uterine tonic to reduce the likelihood of miscarriage and ease labour pains, and the Cree have used decoctions of the leaf and root for various issues related to childbirth.

Today, raspberry leaf is one of the most commonly used herbs during pregnancy. It is considered an excellent tonic during pregnancy on two counts: its high vitamin and mineral content is richly nutritive for both parent and child, and its tonic properties help to strengthen the uterus in preparation for childbirth, as well as being used to quell morning sickness.

Following birth, a raspberry leaf infusion is commonly used as a uterine tonic, restore the elasticity of the womb and uterine ligaments, and as a galactagogue to increase the flow of breastmilk.

Long and short, raspberry leaf is the ultimate pregnancy herb. It tones the uterine muscles and is very high in vitamins and minerals. It will also help with increased milk production. Feeding raspberry leaf during the last 45 days of a pregnancy is thought to help the mare during delivery, with success noted for mares with chronic delivery type problems (eg, prolonged delivery, retained placenta, little or no milk production, excessive bleeding during delivery).

After the foal is born, raspberry leaf is recommended to help the uterus get back into shape. Fennel and fenugreek are also very enriching and will aid in milk quality as well.

It probably won’t come as any surprise that we blend raspberry leaf into our MellowMare ;-)

Safety

• Raspberry leaf is contraindicated in anaemia as it may interfere with the absorption of iron due to its high tannin content.
• Take raspberry leaf separately from thiamine medications, or alkaloid-containing medications or herbs.
• High doses of tannins may cause gastrointestinal irritation; use caution in inflamed or ulcerated conditions.