Labor is painful and women have been searching for a long time for remedies that will naturally relieve the pain of childbirth. While modern science has offered up several solutions for the relief of pain, they can leave women with many unpleasant side effects after labor and childbirth is completed. One method that many women have tried for decades with a lot of success is the consumption of red raspberry leaves towards the end of their pregnancy. The benefits of red raspberry leaf will be examined, so that you can decide if it is right for you.

What are the benefits of red raspberry leaf?

Red raspberry leaves contain a host of vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy pregnancy. These vitamins include vitamin B, calcium, fragine and magnesium. Red raspberry has been known to reduce labor pains in women who begin drinking red raspberry leaf tea at about 32 weeks into their pregnancy. This is because fragine nourishes and strengthens the walls of the uterus. It is advised that women wait until 32 weeks into pregnancy to begin drinking the tea, because at this stage the child is fully developed and the gestation period is coming to an end.

What are the different ways to consume red raspberry leaf?

Red raspberry leaf is most often prepared as a tea. The mixture for the tea can be purchased at a local supermarket or at a health food store. If you cannot find it in any of these places then you will have to purchase it online. You can also get the benefits of red raspberry by taking red raspberry tablets or using it as a tincture. The tincture can be added to water or juice. Some tinctures contain alcohol and should be avoided during pregnancy.

How do I prepare red raspberry tea?

While red raspberry may be taken as a tablet or tincture. Most pregnant women prefer to drink it as a tea. The tea is relatively easy to prepare and the steps are as follows:

1. Boil a cup of water
2. Put a teaspoon of the red raspberry leaf tea mixture into the water
3. Stir it into the water for about 30 seconds
4. Let the mixture steep for about 10 minutes
5. Sweeten with honey

You can take one cup of tea at first and then gradually drink as much as four cups a day leading up to labor. Contact a center like The Woman's Center OB-GYN Associates for additional information.