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Herb library · Herb · Rubus idaeus

Red raspberry leaf

The leaf of the garden raspberry, drunk as a tea and widely taken late in pregnancy in the hope of an easier labor. The one good-sized trial found it did not shorten labor, and EU regulators advise against using it in pregnancy without medical supervision.

Traditional use

The leaves have long been brewed as a tea; King's American Dispensatory noted that the infusion tastes somewhat like black tea. They were used for diarrhea and, by reputation, to strengthen contractions in labor. In the EU raspberry leaf is registered as a traditional herbal medicine for minor menstrual cramps, mild mouth or throat inflammation, and mild diarrhea.

What studies show

  • Limited· shows no benefit

    Labor: a randomized, double-blind trial in 192 first-time mothers found raspberry leaf tablets from 32 weeks did not shorten the first stage of labor; the second stage was about 10 minutes shorter and there were fewer forceps births, but overall there were no significant differences. A 2021 review found human studies have shown neither harm nor benefit, and the European Medicines Agency calls the evidence sparse and of questionable quality.

  • Insufficient

    Menstrual cramps, mouth or throat inflammation, and diarrhea: accepted in the EU on the basis of traditional use only. The European Medicines Agency found no clinical studies for these uses.

Be careful of

Cautions

  • PregnancyThe European Medicines Agency does not recommend it in pregnancy because data are insufficient; if it is used, it should be under the supervision of a midwife or doctor, not as self-medication. Use while breastfeeding is not recommended.
  • NoteIn the pregnancy studies, reported side effects were mainly nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and blood pressure changes, with no difference from placebo; one study noted more Braxton Hicks contractions. A single report described convulsions in a newborn whose mother had taken raspberry leaf for two months to bring on labor.
  • ConditionEU products are for adults only. See a doctor if menstrual cramps or mouth or throat inflammation last more than a week or get worse, or if diarrhea lasts more than 3 days.
  • Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.

From the old books

What herbals and dispensaries of the past printed. History, in their words.

“The leaves impart their properties to water, giving to the infusion an odor and flavor somewhat similar to that of some kinds of black tea.”
Harvey Wickes Felter and John Uri Lloyd, King's American Dispensatory (1905), vol. 2, p. 1682. See the page of King's American Dispensatory, vol. 2, p. 1682 (opens in a new tab) · Read the full passage from King's American Dispensatory, vol. 2, p. 1682
“Rubus, Idæus: Raspis, Raspberries, or Hind-berries: I know no great virtues in the leaves.”
Nicholas Culpeper, Culpeper's Complete Herbal (1814), p. 244. See the page of Culpeper's Complete Herbal, p. 244 (opens in a new tab) · Read the full passage from Culpeper's Complete Herbal, p. 244

Sources

  1. Rubi idaei folium - herbal medicinal product (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
  2. Raspberry leaf: summary for the public (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
  3. Assessment report on Rubus idaeus L., folium (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
  4. Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor (2001) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  5. Biophysical effects, safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf use in pregnancy: a systematic integrative review (2021) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026

Reviewed September 25, 2026.