Is raspberry leaf tea safe to take in pregnancy and what are the benefits?
A. Raspberry leaves are a herb which herbalists claim has a mild soothing, astringent, and tonic action. It is also has digestive properties and helps to prevent nausea, is slightly sedative and helps to strengthen the nerves. In pregnancy, raspberry leaves are said to act to tone the uterus ready for labour. They are taken to encourage an easy, speedy labour, but not necessarily to induce it. You can get raspberry leaves in leaf form, which you make up as a tea, or in tablet form. Some herbalists claim that its best to take it in leaf form, but not everyone likes the taste of the tea, and the tablets seem to be more widely available. Opinions about taking raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy vary, however. Some herbalists state that because of its affect on the uterus, it is probably best avoided, or at least delayed until late pregnancy, if there is a history of preterm labour, or miscarriage, while others actually recommend it in the event of a threatened miscarriage. Where there is no s
