Red Raspberry Monograph
Rubus idaeus a.k.a. Red Raspberry
Other Common Names – Western Red Raspberry, American Red Raspberry, Grayleaf Red Raspberry
Family – Rosaceae (1)
Parts Used – Leaf
Botanical Description – Rubus idaeus is a deciduous shrub with a perennial root system consisting of a rhizome with many fibrous rootlets forming on it. The erect woody stems are covered in thorns and are biennial in flowering. At full height, R. idaeus can reach up to 2 meters (6 ½ feet) tall. Leaves are compound, alternate, petiolate, and pubescent with 3-7 ovate leaflets in a pinnate arrangement with a dark green upper leaf surface and a pale green to white lower leaf surface. The perfect, complete, white (sometimes pink) flowers are arranged in a compound cyme. Each flower has 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 bracts, numerous stamens and numerous pistols. Fruit is an aggregate of red druplets surrounding a receptacle that detaches when picked. (2,3,4,5)
Habitat – R. idaeus is found native in Europe, North America, and temperate Asia. It is cultivated in all temperate locales around the globe. R. idaeus prefers well drained, nutrient dense soil found near forest borders, ravines, stream banks, and wooded slopes with full sun to partial shade. Flowers form from May through August depending on location, and are pollinated by bees, beetles and flies. Fruit develops between July and October depending on location. Root rot can be an issue with too much moisture. (3,5,6)
Edit 6/29/21: If you are interested in cultivating R. idaeus for family (or community) use, this guide is very helpful and thorough. (27)
Taste – According to Matthew Wood, R. idaeus is “sweet, indicating nutritive capacity, and astringent, making it an excellent tonic for relaxed tissue.” On the other hand, Dr. Tilgner refers to it as astringent and bitter. (7,8)
Energetic Properties – In western herbalism, R. idaeus leaf is cooling and drying while the fruit is cooling and moistening.
Actions –
Leaf: Astringent, Diaphorectic, Diuretic, Alterative, Antioxident, Anti-diarrheal, Partus preparator, Uterine tonic
Fruit: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, refrigerant, nourishes blood
Constituents – R. idaeus leaf constituents are grouped as follows (19,20,21):
Tannins (2.6 – 6.9%) – gallotannins, ellagictannins
Flavonoids (.046 – 1.05%) – rutin, kaempferol, quercetin
Phenolic Acids – succinic acid, lactic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid,
vanillic acid
Vitamins/Minerals – Vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), C, and E, calcium,
chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium,
tin
Other – volatile oils
R. idaeus fruit constituents are anthocyanins, citric acid, malic acid, volatile oils, mucilage, pectin, glutathione, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E and K, calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc. (7,9,22)
Indications – From the most common to least, the traditional uses of R. idaeus leaf are pregnancy, diarrhea, mouth wounds (gargle), sore throat, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory illness, skin wounds, cramping or painful menstruation, abnormal bleeding of the uterus, stomach or bowel, cardiovascular disorders, fever, vitamin deficiency, eyewash, diabetes, hemorrhoids, lactation and postpartum issues, sexual dysfunction for men and women. The fruit has been known to aid in fevers and diarrhea. The majority of these uses appear to be due to the astringent effects of the tannins, but it cannot be said with certainty as I have yet to find any relevant, reliable research on which to base this opinion.
Traditional use of R. idaeus fruit is for fevers and diarrhea.
Safety/Contraindications – Although there are no adverse reactions found in published R. idaeus leaf literature, the high tannin content can cause irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract so long term use should be avoided especially if you already have inflamed or ulcerated conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. (10,15)
Due to the tannins, R. idaeus is contraindicated for use when constipation, iron deficiency anemia, and malnutrition are present. (10,15)
Take separately from thiamine, metal ion supplements, and alkaloid-containing medications. (10,15) In a preliminary study, R. idaeus leaf is shown to inhibit CYP2D6 enzyme activity in vitro. (20)
Pregnancy – According to Mills & Bone no adverse effects are expected during pregnancy, but confine use to 2nd and 3rd trimester. Dr. Brinker seems to concur, adding except where there is a history of precipitate labor. On the other hand, American Botanical Council’s German Commission E page, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, and European Medicine Agency all say do not use if pregnant due to lack of sufficient reliable clinical research. All of my sources cite a 1999 study of 108 pregnant women (outliers as early as 8 weeks gestation, majority 30-34 weeks gestation) that found consuming R. idaeus leaf tea during pregnancy had shorter labor, less chance of preterm or post term labor, and less chance of requiring C-section, forceps, artificial rupture of their membranes or vacuum birth. Unfortunately when they tried to repeat their success with a double blind pacebo-controlled trial of 192 women at 32 weeks gestation, they could not. (10,12,13,15,18,19,20)
Lactation – Compatible with breastfeeding (10)
Children – Safe for children (14)
Historical Uses – R. idaeus fruit has been a food source since the Ice Age and can be found on 6 out of 7 continents. Some of the earliest medicinal writings about R. idaeus are from De Materia Medica by Dioscorides (50-70 AD) where it is suggested for stomach, heart, and eye ailments among others. Western use of the leaf continued from then to now, for pregnancy and diarrhea mainly but also gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive, and epithelial tissues that require astringency.
In Ayurvedic practices, R. idaeus has been used for stomach problems, childbirth, and menopause. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, R. idaeus has been associated with the liver and kidney meridians. It is said to tonify and stabilize the kidneys and treat deficiency of the liver and kidneys. It was used to prevent frequent and involuntary urination, impotence, premature ejaculation, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, and improve eyesight. Australian aboriginal people used a decoction for diarrhea and an infusion for flu, painful menstruation, morning sickness, and childbirth. The native peoples of North America, Africa, and Oceania have also historical used R. idaeus for relieving menstrual cramps, strengthening pregnant women, relieving morning sickness, aiding in childbirth, and stimulating the uterus at the beginning of labor. (26)
Combinations – I am including to combinations for pregnancy. The first is for those of you that feel comfortable using R. idaeus leaf through the entire pregnancy and the second is for those of you that feel comfortable using it during the last trimester. The third combination addresses diarrhea.
Combo #1 – Rubus idaeus, Urtica dioica (nettles), Avena sativa (oats), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) in equal parts
Combo #2 – Rubus idaeus, Mitchella repens (partridgeberry) *endangered, Viburnum opulus (crampbark)
Combo #3 – Rubus idaeus, Zingiber officinale (ginger), Matricaria recutita (chamomile) in equal parts
If you have questions about these combinations please feel free to comment below.
Preparations and Dosage – R. idaeus can be prepared as a tea, decoction, tincture (35% alc), glycerite, extract, vinegar, syrup, or compress. Dosages for the 1:4 tincture, vinegar and syrup are safe for children, all others should be adjusted appropriately for children.(10, 14)
Leaf Tea – 2 tsp. per 1 cup (8 oz.) water 2-3X a day
Leaf Tincture/Extract/Glycerite –
1:4 tincture – 50 – 100 drops (2 ½ to 5 droppers full) 3X a day (14)
1:2 liquid extract – 30 – 95 drops (1 ½ to 4 ¾ droppers full) 3X a day (10)
1:1 liquid extract – 80 – 160 drops (4 – 8 droppers full) 3X a day (10)
Fruit Vinegar – ½ tsp. in ¼ cup (2 oz.) water 2-3X a day (14)
Fruit syrup – 1-3 tsp. 3X a day (14)
Sustainability/Ecological Issues – R. idaeus is cultivated around the world as a food source for humans, therefore there are no sustainability issues. Ecologically speaking, R. idaeus is a good food source for many mammals and birds including grizzly bears, coyotes, opossums, foxes, squirrels, skunks, chipmunks, mice, American robins, thrushes, northern cardinal, gray catbird, ect. It is also good for rehabilitating disturbed forest sites. Growth slows then stops as canopy develops. (5)
Current Literature –
Chwil, M., Kostryco, M. Histochemical assays of secretory trichomes and the structure and content of mineral nutrients in Rubus idaeus L. leaves. Protoplasma 257, 119–139 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-019-01426-7 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00709-019-01426-7.ris
This is a great study on the structure of the leaves and where you will find the active constituents in them. Fresh leaves were used for histological assays and microscopic analysis. Dried leaves were tested for micro-, macro-, and trace elements.
Bowman, R., Davis, D., Ferguson, S., & Taylor, J. What do we know about raspberry leaf? Women and Birth, 32(S1), S26-S26 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2019.07.225
This study is an integrative review that examines the potential pharmaceutical properties of R. idaeus leaf and the diversity of its use with an emphasis on pregnancy.
Amalia E. Olson and Teresa F. DeGolier "Research Article: Contractile activity of Rubus idaeus extract on isolated mouse uterine strips," BIOS 87(2), 39-47, (1 May 2016). https://doi.org/10.1893/BIOS-D-15-00001.1
An in vivo study on mouse uterine tissue to show the efficacy of R. idaeus leaf on uterine contractions.
References
1. “Rubus idaeus”, ITIS. n.p. n.d. Web. 5 Aug 2020
https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=24947#null
2. “Rubus idaeus”, ” PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics, 1998. Pgs. 1104-1105 Print.
3. “Rubus idaeus”, Missouri Botanical Garden. n.p. n. d. Web. 5 Aug 2020
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=295999
4. “Rubus idaeus”, AgroAtlas. n.p. n.d. Web. 5 Aug 2020
http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/content/cultural/Rubus_idaeus_K/index.html
5. “Rubus idaeus”, United States Forest Service. n.p. n.d. Web. 5 Aug 2020
https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/rubida/all.html
6. “Rubus idaeus”, Plants for a Future. n.p. n.d. Web 5 Aug 2020
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rubus+idaeus
7. Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants. Berkeley, CA.: North Atlantic Books, 2009. Pgs. 306-309 Print.
8. Tilgner, Dr. Sharol Marie. Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth. 2nd ed. Pleasant Hill, OR: Wise Acres LLC, 2009. pgs. 142-143 Print
9. Skenderi, Gazmend. Herbal Vade Mecum: 800 Herbs, Spices, Essential Oils, Lipids, Etc., Constituents, Properties, Uses, and Caution. Rutherford, NJ: Herbacy, 2003. Print.
10. Mills, Simon J., and Kerry Bone. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2005. Print.
11. Harris, James G., and Melinda Woolf Harris. Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary. 2nd ed. Spring Lake, UT: Spring Lake, 1994. Print.
12. Bone, Kerry. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003. Print.
13. Heinrich, Michael et all. Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingston, 2012. Print.
14. Bove, Mary. An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2001. Print.
15.Brinker, Francis. Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions plus Herbal Adjuncts with Medicines. 4th ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2010. Print
16.Grieve, Maud. "Raspberry." A Modern Herbal. n.p., n.d. Web. 6 Aug 2020
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/raspbe05.html
17. Kress, Henriette. “Rubus idaeus-Raspberry (King’s American Dispensatory,1898)” Henriette's Herbal Homepage. n.d. Web. 6 Aug 2020
https://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/kings/rubus-idae.html
18. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine – Commission E Monographs. Austin (TX); American Botanical Council: Newton (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000. n.p. Web 6 Aug 2020
http://cms.herbalgram.org/commissione/Monographs/Monograph0311.html
19. “Red Raspberry” Natural Medicines. Therapeutic Research Faculty, n.d. Web. 6 Aug 2020
20. “Assessment Report on Rubus idaeus-folium.” European Medicines Agency. n.p. n.d. Web. 6 Aug 2020
21. “Red Raspberry” Dr. Christopher’s Herbal Legacy. n.p. n.d. Web. 6 Aug 2020
https://www.herballegacy.com/Corless_Chemical.html
22.”Red Raspberry: nutritional facts, benefits and more” Healthline. n.p. n.d. Web. 6 Aug 2020
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/raspberry-nutrition#1
23. Chwil, M., Kostryco, M. Histochemical assays of secretory trichomes and the structure and content of mineral nutrients in Rubus idaeus L. leaves. Protoplasma 257, 119–139 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-019-01426-7
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00709-019-01426-7.ris
24. Bowman, R., Davis, D., Ferguson, S., & Taylor, J. What do we know about raspberry leaf? Women and Birth, 32(S1), S26-S26 (2019).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2019.07.225
25. Amalia E. Olson and Teresa F. DeGolier "Research Article: Contractile activity of Rubus idaeus extract on isolated mouse uterine strips," BIOS 87(2), 39-47, (1 May 2016). https://doi.org/10.1893/BIOS-D-15-00001.1
26. Hummer, Kim E. “Rubus Pharmacology: Antiquity to the Present”. U.S. Department of Agriculture (3 Sept 2010)
https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/48550/PDF
27. Planting Raspberries Guide Happy DIY Home n.p. 28 Aug 2020
https://happydiyhome.com/planting-raspberries/
Disclaimer: The information above is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease