People have used raspberry leaf tea for centuries in North America, South America, China and Europe. It is most popular as an aide for pregnant women, historically being used to relieve almost everything from leg cramps to morning sickness. Evidence of red raspberry tea leaf's benefits for pregnancy is mixed. It may also be beneficial for controlling blood sugar, but you should speak to your doctor before using this, or any, alternative medicine.
Raspberry Leaves
Raspberry is a bush from the Rosaceae family best known for its fruit, but the leaves have their own value as an astringent and a stimulant. People drink red raspberry leaf tea for diabetes along with conditions including gastrointestinal tract disorders, cardiovascular system disorders and respiratory tract disorders. It is also used for fever, swine flu, vitamin deficiency, profuse menstruation, labor pains and diarrhea. Topically, people use red raspberry leaf for inflammation of the skin, mouth and throat. Food manufacturers in Europe put small amounts of red raspberry leaves in some foods as natural flavoring.
Blood Sugar
Raspberries can affect your blood sugar level. According to AltMD.com, studies have shown that raspberry may decrease your blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for diabetes sufferers. Diabetes is a condition involving elevated blood sugar levels. Raspberry leaf tea may be helpful for diabetes sufferers because it is high in B vitamins. B vitamins help you to convert food into glucose, which is blood sugar. Vitamin B-3 has shown to be beneficial for Type 2 diabetes sufferers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. People with Type 2 diabetes frequently have elevated levels of cholesterol and fats in their blood. Vitamin B-3 may help lower those levels. However, vitamin B-3 may actually raise blood sugar levels, which is dangerous for diabetes sufferers. Your doctor can best decide if raspberry tea is safe for you.
Making Tea
Making raspberry tea is simple. To 1 cup of boiling water, 1 teaspoon of red raspberry tea leaf is added. After steeping for 10 minutes, it is strained and ready to drink, typically once or twice a day. For use during pregnancy, 1/2 ounce of tea is added to 1 pint of boiling water to drink once daily. Talk to a pediatrician before giving tea to children.
Diet
Drinking red raspberry leaf tea is not the only way your diet can make a difference on your blood sugar. MayoClinic.com promotes a diabetes diet of carbohydrates, fish, fiber and "good fats." Carbs are foods your body breaks down into blood glucose for energy. Eat the healthiest carbs such as lentils, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy products. Foods that are high in fiber help control blood sugar levels and aide digestion. All of the recommended carb foods except dairy are high in fiber. Fish can help lower blood fats, which promotes a healthy heart. They also have less cholesterol and saturated fats than meats. Unsaturated fats are "good" because they can help reduce cholesterol. Olives, canola oil and almonds are good fats.
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References
- Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database: Red Raspberry
- MayoClinic.com: Diabetes Diet: Create Your Healthy-Eating Plan
- Drugs.com: Raspberry
- AltMD: Raspberry
- Mother & Child Health: Red Raspberry Leaf Tea -- Can This Herb Ease Childbirth
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
- Australian College of Midwives Incorporated Journal: Raspberry leaf and its effect on labour: safety and efficacy
- Journal of Midwifery & Womens Health: Raspberry Leaf in Pregnancy: Its Safety and Efficacy in Labor
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