Natasha Richardson
Rubus idaeus (Raspberry) Plant Profile
Names: Raspbis, Hindberry, Bramble of Mount Ida, Hindbeer,
Element: Water
Planet: Venus
Magical uses: Protection, Love, Hang branches over the door for protection and to stop the spirit of the deceased from returning to the house,
Key words: Sweet, Strength, Power, Stamina, Prickle, Dry.
Tissue type: Relaxation, Excitation, Atrophy
Qualities: Astringent
Actions: Astringent tonic, Antispasmodic, Parturient, Galactagogue, Relaxant, Partus preparatus, Febrifuge.
Physical Uses: Irregular menstruation, Painful periods, Preparation for birth, Increase breast milk supply, After-birth pains, Prostate health, Low libido in men, Male sterility, Baldness, Mouth ulcers, Sore throat, Strep throat, Tonsilitis, Vaginal discharge, Nausea during pregnancy, Diarrhoea, Phlegm in upper respiratory tract, Flu with gut involvement, Gastrointestinal haemorrhage, Diverticular disease, Dysentry, Colic, Chronic Constipation, Nervousness, Cataract, Canker sores, Teething, Post nasal drip, Scars, Fever.
Emotional Uses: Helps you feel childish again, Strengthens parent/child bonds, Improves clairvoyance and activates root chakra.
Parts used: Leaves
Known constituents: Fragrine, Volatile oils, Tannin, Minerals including potassium, ferric acid (a type of iron), calcium, magnesium and zinc as well as Vitamins including vit A, B, C & E.
Legend & Tradition
It is thought that the name, ideaus, comes from the place name where it was supposedly originally found; Mount Ida. This was in Ancient Greece and is now Turkey. The other theory about the name idaeus comes from Greek mythology. According to the myth, the berries were white until a nymph, Ida pricked her finger while picking them. From then on the fruits were coloured red with her blood. It has even been found by archaeologists in old Roman and Greek settlements when it was likely they used it as much for medicine as they did for food. Before its modern name, Raspberry, it was sometimes called Hindberry. (Grieves, 1992)
Medicinal Uses
Although Raspberry is famed for its use in pregnancy, as a way to prepare the womb for labour, this is quite a modern use (Gilmartin et al., 2018). For hundreds of years before that it was used primarily for its astringent properties. (Trickey, 2003)
DIGESTION
The leaves help to dry diarrhoea (Ferlemi, V., 2016) and I once used Blackberry (the more astringent sister plant) to help a patient experiencing blood in the stools. This is a symptom they should have seen their doctor about urgently, but the patient refused. I was very pleased the Blackberry leaf helped. The fruit used to be eaten in large quantities to help with constipation, increase sweating and ease rheumatism and indigestion. (Grieves, 1992)
REPRODUCTION
In modern times it is best known, and most widely used, for its benefits during labour. Two famous British herbalists Thomson and Coffin are said to record the earliest use of the herb as preparation for birth. But rather than using it before the birth they used it during labour itself. But I recommend women drink 1-3 cups in the last trimester to tone the muscles gradually. It was once thought that it achieved this action by being mainly contractive to muscle tissue. However, it has been tested and discovered to be a relaxant to the uterine muscles (Ferlemi, V., 2016). Therefore, it has been hypothesised that it helps by orchestrating the contraction of the muscles in unity. A lack of co-ordination in the muscles is thought to lie behind why some women ‘fail to progress’ during labour. (Trickey, 2003)Interestingly this action on the muscles of the uterus during pregnancy do not seem to occur outside of pregnancy. This was quite confounding when discovered as Raspberry leaf can be used to relieve heavy and painful periods. Ruth Trickey (2003) argues that it may be helpful in heavy periods because of its iron, vitamins and other mineral content.Its toning effects makes it useful not only during pregnancy but also afterwards for the healing process while the body realigns.
Safety ConsiderationsAvoid during the first trimester of pregnancy.
References
Ferlemi, A. V., & Lamari, F. N. (2016). Berry Leaves: An Alternative Source of Bioactive Natural Products of Nutritional and Medicinal Value. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 5(2), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox5020017
Gilmartin, C. E., Vo-Tran, T.H. and Leung, L. (2018) 'Complementary medicines in pregnancy: recommendations and information sources of healthcare professionals in Australia', International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 421-42710.1007/s11096-018-0608-x [doi].
