Raspberry Leaf has been used to assist pregnant women by supposedly strengthening and toning the uterine muscles. Many women swear that it has helped them have a shorter labour. Naturally high in magnesium, potassion, B and C vitamins and iron. It has traditionally been used to combat diarrhea and GI tract disorders and respiratory conditions like colds and flu. For men, Raspberry Leaf may have a protective effect on the prostate.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10754818
Durgo K, Belščak-Cvitanović A, Stančić A, Franekić J, Komes D. The bioactive potential of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) leaves in exhibiting cytotoxic and cytoprotective activity on human laryngeal carcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2012 Mar;15(3):258-68. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22082102
European Medicines Agency: Assessment report on Rubus idaeus L., folium. 12 March 2013. - http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2013/05/WC500142992.pdf
Zhang TT, Lu CL, Jiang JG, Wang M, Wang DM, Zhu W. Bioactivities and extraction optimization of crude polysaccharides from the fruits and leaves of Rubus chingii Hu, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2015 Oct 5;130:307-15. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26076631
US Department of Agriculture Plant Guide: American Red Raspberry Rubus idaeus L. - http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_ruid.pdf
Velliquette RA, Grann K, Missler SR, Patterson J, Hu C, Gellenbeck KW, Scholten JD, Randolph RK. Identification of a botanical inhibitor of intestinal diacylglyceride acyltransferase 1 activity via in vitro screening and a parallel, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutrition and Metabolism, 2015 Aug 6;12:27. -http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26246845
Holst L, Haavik S, Nordeng H. Raspberry leaf--should it be recommended to pregnant women? Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2009 Nov;15(4):204-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19880082
Gudej, J, Tomczyk, M. Determination of Flavonids, Tannins and Ellagic acid in Leaves from Rubus L. Species. Archives of Pharmaceutical Research Vol 27, No 11, 1114-1119, 2004
Simpson M, Parsons M, Greenwood J, Wade K. Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. 2001 Mar-Apr;46(2):51-9. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11370690
