Rubus idaeus. R. strigosus   Raspberry leaves, Red raspberry,  Raspberry leaf   Family: Rosaceae  
Cultivated in most temperate countries.
PART USED: Leaves
TASTE: Bland, astringent ODOR: Faint but characteristic
ACTIONS
GROUP: The Endocrine and Reproductive Systems- Reproductive System Tonics
1. Antiabortient. Parturient. Partus praeparator.[1,2] Raspberry leaf tea have been used for centures to faciliatate childbirth. It is recommended that it should be drunk freely before and during confinement for maxium benefit.[4]
2. Antiemetic.
3. Astringent.[1,2]
4. Hemostatic.
5. Alterative.
INDICATIONS
1. Facilitate parturition. Women’s disorders generally including amenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea.  Menorrhagia.  Ovaralgia and  Leukorrhea.  Pregnancy and childbirth.[1,2]
2. Diarrhea.[1,2] Stomatitis.[1,2] Thrush. Vomiting.
3. Wounds. Ulcers.
4. Urinary Irritations
5. Fevers.
6. Hemorrhoids.
Local- Tonsillitis- as mouth wash.[1,2] Conjunctivitis-[1,2] as eye lotion.
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Faciliatate parturition.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Diarrhea, use with Agrimonia and Geum.
- Mouth wash or gargle, use with Salvia.
- Eye lotion, use with Euphrasia.
PREPARATIONS:   3X /day
Dried leaves  4-8 g,[1,2] or by infusion 1:20.
Fluid extract  1:1 in 25% alcohol,[3]  4-8 ml. 2-10 ml.[4]
ORIGIN: Cultivated in most temperate countries.
DESCRIPTION: A small bush. Leaves pinnate with  3-5 leaflets, 5-12 cm , in length. Leaflets ovate, acuminate, with mucronate teeth.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents.
Research.
Uterine relaxant effects have been demonstrated in animals on many occasions,[1,2,3] however despite attempts to fractionate the extract,[3] no further progress has been made. The extract appears to affect only the pregnant uterus from both rats and humans, with no activity on the non-pregnant uterus; evaluation is not easy since obiously onoy pathological human uterus can be used.[2] If polypeptides are the active constituents this would explain the problems since they are notoriously diffcult to isolate.
References
[1] Henning, W. (1981) Lebens. Unters. Forsch. 173,1
[2] Bamford, D.S. et al. (1970) Br. J. Pharmacol. 40(1), 161P
[3] Beckett, A. et al. (1954) J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 6, 785

A Principle in raspberry leaves which relaxes urterine muscle
J. H. BURN, M.D. CAMB. PROFESSOR OF PHARMACOLOGY, OXFORD
E. R. WITHELL, B.SC., B. PHARM. LOND. PH.C. HEAD OF THE PHARMACY DEPARTMENT, CENTRAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE, BIRMINGHAM
Raspberry leaf tea has been a herbalist’s remedy for many years. It is said to be the best known and oldest of all the herb infusions and to be included " as a proved aid in maternity in the most ancient of herbal books."
Our interest in it was stimulated by an inquiry made to one of us (E. R. W.) by Sir Beckwith Whitehouse whether anything was known of the action of raspberry leaves in the body.
The statement made by one firm of herb specialists is as follows. " Raspberry leaves are the dried leaves of Rubus idceus (Rosaceoe) which grow in Europe, Canada and northern United States. The leaves impart their properties to water, giving to the infusion an odour
and flavour somewhat similar to that of some kinds of black tea. Raspberry leaves have astringent properties and also act as a stimulant. It is found that if the infusion be taken freely before and during confinement, parturition is easy and speedy." It is also said to be useful in painful and profuse menstruation. We have accordingly tested extracts of raspberry leaves for their action on the uterus both in situ and when isolated. In the course of this work we have found that a principle is present which causes relaxation of the muscle of the uterus when this is tonically contracted, and which diminishes the force and frequency of rhythmic contractions. We have also made a general survey of the action of raspberry-leaf extracts on other tissues.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(00)71348-1 The Lancet Volume 238, Issue 6149, 5 July 1941, Pages 1-3  sciencedirect.com

Prophylaxis and therapeutic effects of raspberry (Rubus idaeus) on renal stone formation in Balb/c mice.
Ghalayini IF, Al-Ghazo MA, Harfeil MN.
Abstract
PURPOSE:
To evaluate the prophylactic potential of herbal decoction from Rubus idaeus, a medicinal plant widely used in the Middle East to treat kidney stones, by assessing the effect of administration in experimentally induced calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis in mice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This study was based on administration of glyoxylate and/or herbal treatments simultaneously for 12 days, followed by histological and biochemical tests. Group I was used as a negative control. Group II was only given daily intra-abdominal injection of glyoxylate (80 mg/Kg). Group III and IV were given 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of aqueous extract of R. idaeus by gavage, respectively in addition to glyoxylate injection. To examine the effect of anti-oxidants on hyperoxaluria-induced changes in kidney, the enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidant levels were assessed.
RESULTS:
Significant reductions were obtained in the urinary oxalate, calcium and phosphorus values in the herbal-treated groups relative to untreated animals while creatinine excretion increased. Serum oxalate, calcium and creatinine were significantly reduced, while phosphorus was not significantly changed. Kidney content of calcium was higher in the untreated group. Mice in treated groups at 12 days had significantly more superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase (GSH) and G6PD activities than the untreated group. Hyperoxaluria-induced generation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls was significantly prevented in the treated groups. R. idaeus had a significantly high content of vitamin E in the herbal treated groups. The histology showed more CaOx deposition in the kidneys of untreated animals.
CONCLUSION:
Rubus idaeus has an impressive prophylactic effect on CaOx stones in nephrolithic mice. There is a possible role of lipid peroxidation in CaOx stone formation which may has a relationship with the major risk factors in urine including oxalate, calcium, phosphorus and MDA. Further experimental studies are required to elucidate the chemical constituents of the active ingredients of this interesting plant.
PMID: 21557843  Int Braz J Urol. 2011 Mar-Apr;37(2):259-66; discussion 267. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relaxant activity of raspberry (Rubus idaeus) leaf extract in guinea-pig ileum in vitro.
Rojas-Vera J1, Patel AV, Dacke CG.
Abstract
Tea made from the leaves of Rubus idaeus L. (raspberry) has been used for centuries as a folk medicine to treat wounds, diarrhoea, colic pain and as a uterine relaxant. Extracts of dried raspberry leaves prepared with different solvents, (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol) were tested in vitro for relaxant activity on transmurally stimulated guinea-pig ileum. The methanol (MeOH) extract exhibited the largest response and also indicated that the active compounds are of a relatively polar nature. Hence the bulk of the leaves were extracted with methanol and the dried extract fractionated on a silica gel column, eluting with chloroform, mixtures of chloroform and methanol and finally methanol. Each fraction was examined by thin layer chromatography and tested for relaxant activity in an in vitro transmurally stimulated guinea-pig ileum preparation. The fractions eluted with chloroform (CHCl(3)) lacked relaxant activity. Samples eluted with CHCl(3)/MeOH (95:5) had moderate relaxant activity, while a second distinctive peak of activity eluted with a more polar solvent mixture (CHCl(3)/MeOH 50:50) provided strong dose dependent responses. Evidence was obtained that there are at least two components of raspberry leaf extract which exhibit relaxant activity in an in vitro gastrointestinal preparation.
PMID: 12410549 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1040  Phytother Res. 2002 Nov;16(7):665-8. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The bioactive potential of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) leaves in exhibiting cytotoxic and cytoprotective activity on human laryngeal carcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma.
Durgo K, Belšcak-Cvitanovic A, Stancic A, Franekic J, Komes D.
Abstract
In this article, the bioactive potential of red raspberry leaves, a by-product of this widely spread plant, mostly valued for its antioxidant-rich fruits, was determined. The polyphenolic profile and antioxidative properties of red raspberry leaf extract were determined and examined for potential biological activity. Cytotoxic effect, antioxidative/prooxidative effect, and effect on total glutathione concentration were determined in human laryngeal carcinoma (HEp2) and colon adenocarcinoma (SW 480) cell lines. SW 480 cells are more susceptible to raspberry leaf extract in comparison with HEp2 cells. The antioxidative nature of raspberry leaf extract was detected in HEp2 cells treated with hydrogen peroxide, as opposed to SW 480 cells, where raspberry leaf extract induced reactive oxygen species formation. Raspberry leaf extract increased total glutathione level in HEp2 cells. This effect was reinforced after 24 hours of recovery, indicating that induction was caused by products formed during cellular metabolism of compounds present in the extract. Comparison of the results obtained on these two cell lines indicates that cellular response to raspberry extract will depend on the type of the cells that are exposed to it. The results obtained confirmed the biological activity of red raspberry leaf polyphenols and showed that this traditional plant can supplement the daily intake of valuable natural antioxidants, which exhibit beneficial health effects.
PMID: 22082102 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0087  J Med Food. 2012 Mar;15(3):258-68. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0087. Epub 2011 Nov 14. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of processing and storage on the antioxidant ellagic acid derivatives and flavonoids of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) jams.Zafrilla P1, Ferreres F, Tomás-Barberán FA.
Abstract
From red raspberries, ellagic acid, its 4-arabinoside, its 4' (4' '-acetyl) arabinoside, and its 4' (4' '-acetyl)xyloside, as well as quercetin and kaempferol 3-glucosides, were identified. In addition, two unidentified ellagic acid derivatives were detected. The free radical scavenging activity of the ellagic acid derivatives was evaluated by using the DPPH method and compared to that of Trolox. All of the isolated compounds showed antioxidant activity. The effect of processing to obtain jams on raspberry phenolics was evaluated. The flavonol content decreased slightly with processing and more markedly during storage of the jams. The ellagic acid derivatives, with the exception of ellagic acid itself, remained quite stable with processing and during 6 months of jam storage. The content of free ellagic acid increased 3-fold during the storage period. The initial content (10 mg/kg of fresh weight of raspberries) increased 2-fold with processing, and it continued increasing up to 35 mg/kg after 1 month of storage of the jam. Then a slight decrease was observed until 6 months of storage had elapsed. The increase observed in ellagic acid could be explained by a release of ellagic acid from ellagitannins with the thermal treatment.
PMID: 11513642  J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Aug;49(8):3651-5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ellagitannins from Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) Fruit as Natural Inhibitors of Geotrichum candidum.
Klewicka E, Sójka M, Klewicki R, Kolodziejczyk K, Lipinska L, Nowak A.
Abstract
The paper presents the chemical characteristics of ellagitannins isolated from raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit and their in vitro and in situ antifungal activity against Geotrichum candidum LOCK 0511. The study investigated a complex preparation containing various raspberry ellagitannins at a concentration of 86% w/w, as well as pure lambertianin C and sanguiin H-6. The ellagitannin preparation was obtained by extracting raspberry press cake and purifying the extract using Amberlite XAD resin, while individual compounds were isolated by means of preparative HPLC. The complex preparation was analyzed for the content of ellagitannins, anthocyanins, and flavan-3-ols using HPLC and LC-MS. The antifungal activity of the complex ellagitannin preparation and the isolated ellagitannins was determined for the strain Geotrichum candidum. The MIC and MFC values (10.0 mg/mL and 30.0 mg/mL, respectively) were found to be the same for lambertianin C, sanguiin H-6, and the complex ellagitannin preparation. The fungistatic activity of the studied ellagitannin preparation at a concentration of 10 mg/mL, as determined by the poisoned medium method, was 65.2% following 6 day incubation of Geotrichum candidum, with the linear growth rate of only 16.2 mm/day. The corresponding parameters for the control sample were 0% and 56 mm/day, respectively. The study demonstrated both in vitro and in situ antifungal activity of raspberry ellagitannins against Geotrichum candidum.
PMID: 27420041 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21070908  Molecules. 2016 Jul 13;21(7). pii: E908. doi: 10.3390/molecules21070908. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The influence of Rubus idaeus and Rubus caesius leaf extracts on platelet aggregation in whole blood. Cross-talk of platelets and neutrophils.
Dudzinska D, Bednarska K, Boncler M, Luzak B, Watala C.
Abstract
Recently, polyphenols have gained attention as potential natural cardioprotective therapeutics, due to their antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activity. Species belonging to the genus Rubus sp. have been reported to be a source of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidative proprieties and beneficial biological activities. This study investigates the effects of leaf extracts obtained from red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and European dewberry (Rubus caesius L.) on the reactivity of blood platelets. In ADP-stimulated blood, raspberry and dewberry extracts (15 µg/ml) markedly decreased platelet surface membrane expression of activated GPIIbIIIa receptor by 16% and 21%, respectively (P < 0.01) and significantly inhibited platelet aggregation (by 31-41% for raspberry and by 38-55% for dewberry, P < 0.01). In platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the extracts had no effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation. The effectiveness of the extracts in whole blood and the lack of their activity in PRP indicate that leukocytes are likely to participate in the platelet response to the extracts. Our experiments show that the extracts significantly reduced the amount of free radicals released by activated neutrophils in whole blood (P < 0.001), as well as in suspensions of isolated neutrophils (P < 0.05). Moreover, the reduced number of neutrophils leads to the decreased efficiency of the extracts in the inhibition of platelet aggregation. In summary, our findings show that the raspberry and dewberry leaf extracts considerably modulated blood platelet reactivity in whole blood: they influenced blood platelet aggregation, possibly via the modulation of the redox status dependent on the oxidative activity of neutrophils.
PMID: 26836594 DOI: 10.3109/09537104.2015.1131254  Platelets. 2016 Jul;27(5):433-9. doi: 10.3109/09537104.2015.1131254. Epub 2016 Feb 2. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov