Raspberry leaf tea , not to be confused with raspberry fruit tea, is a pleasant caffeine free tea substitute which has a rich, green, mild, fruity aroma and flavour. It makes a soothing and nourishing tea which is ideal as a pre-bedtime drink. To make a cup of raspberry leaf tea add 1-2g of the tea to a teapot or infuser – depending on how strong you like your tea – and pour over enough fresh boiling water as required. Strain into a cup, sweeten with honey and serve. Serve without milk. Raspberry leaf tea can be added to creams, lotions and balms for the skin where astringency is required, and can help to tone and firm the skin, it can also be used to fragrance shampoos, soaps and bathing products and to temporary darken the hair in a similar way to rosemary and sage. Warning: This tea should be used with care during pregnancy. Used in the last 3 months of pregnancy, raspberry leaves helps tone the uterine and pelvic muscles to prepare for childbirth. Taken afterwards, they stimulate the flow of breast milk and speeds healing of the womb and helps combat anaemia. The idea is not so much to speed up your labour, but to help it to progress at a nice, steady pace. Raspberry leaves make an astringent tonic, is antispasmodic and can be useful in relieving painful and profuse bleeding with menstruation. Also useful with
- mouth ulcers
- sore throat
- tonsillitis
- and sickness and nausea of pregnancy
- Can be used as an eye douche for conjunctivitis.