Survey of Raspberry Leaf Tea Nausea
and Vomiting in Pregnancy
Abstract
Background Nausea and vomiting in
pregnancy (NVP) are common in early
pregnancy but there is a wide spectrum of
severity in terms of the duration and acuity
of symptoms throughout gestation. The
gestational period is an incredibly stressful
time for a pregnant woman. Pregnant
patients constantly seek effective and
reliable compounds in order to achieve a
healthy labor. Nowadays, increasing
numbers of women use herbal preparations
and supplements during pregnancy. One of
the most popular and most frequently chosen
herbs during pregnancy is the raspberry leaf
(Rubus idaeus). The evidence base for the
use of raspberry leaf is however under-
developed. Raspberry extracts are allegedly
associated with a positive effect on
childbirth through the induction of uterine
contractions, acceleration of the cervical
ripening, and shortening of childbirth. The
history of the consumption of raspberry
leaves through pregnancy is vast. This
review shows the current status of the use of
raspberry leaves in pregnancy, emphasizing
the effect on the cervix, and the safety
profile of this herb. The majority of women
apply raspberry leaves during pregnancy to
induce and ease labor.
Aims
This study aims to Survey of Raspberry Leaf
Tea Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy. It
also aims to explore whether it would be
possible to recruit women for a trial of
raspberry leaf in the future. Systematic
integrative review was to examine the
research to identify the evidence base on the
biophysical effects, safety and efficacy of
raspberry leaf in pregnancy. A systematic
integrative approach was taken. An
integrative review includes diverse data
sources which enhance a holistic
understanding of the topic of interest. This
method allows for inclusion of diverse
methodologies, including experimental and
non-experimental, and presents varied
perspectives on the topic under study.
Methods
A systematic integrative review was
undertaken. A database were searched to
identify empirical research papers published
in peer reviewed journals raspberry for
pregancy Results: Raspberry leaf has been
shown to have biophysical effects on animal
and human smooth muscle including the
uterus. Toxity was demonstrated when high
doses were administered intravenously or differences between the groups on measures
intaperitoneally in animal studies. Human expected to demonstrate the effect of
studies have not shown any harm or benefit raspberry leaf ingestion during pregnancy on
though one study demonstrated a clinically labor prompted consideration of the issue of
meaningful (though non-statistically effectiveness of dosage level. Suggestions
significant) reduction in length of second for further research are offered.
stage and augmentation of labour in women
Keywords : Raspberry, Pregnancy, Herbal,
taking raspberry leaf. .The majority of
Nutrition
women apply raspberry leaves during
pregnancy to induce and ease labor.
However, it has not been possible to
determine the exact effect of using raspberry
extracts on the course of childbirth and the
perinatal period. Additionally, it is unclear
whether this herb has only positive effects.
The currently available data indicate a weak
effect of raspberry leaf extracts on labor
induction and, at the same time, their
possible negative impact on cervical
ripening.

Conclusion: Results from this study have

shown for the first time that raspberry leaf
use during pregnancy can have long-term
consequences for the health of the offspring
and raise concerns about the safety of this
herbal preparation for use during pregnancy.
Consumption of raspberry leaf may lead to
reduced insulin requirements in GDM.
Women with GDM should be cautioned
about its use and their glucose levels more
closely monitored.The lack of significant
Introduction Background
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP)
are common in early pregnancy but there is
a wide spectrum of severity in terms of the
duration and acuity of symptoms throughout
gestation. The gestational period is an
incredibly stressful time for a pregnant
woman. Pregnant patients constantly seek
effective and reliable compounds in order to
achieve a healthy labor. Nowadays,
increasing numbers of women use herbal
preparations and supplements during
pregnancy. One of the most popular and
most frequently chosen herbs during
pregnancy is the raspberry leaf (Rubus
idaeus). The evidence base for the use of
raspberry leaf is however under-developed.
Raspberry extracts are allegedly associated
with a positive effect on childbirth through
the induction of uterine contractions,
acceleration of the cervical ripening, and
shortening of childbirth. The history of the
consumption of raspberry leaves through
pregnancy is vast. This review shows the
current status of the use of raspberry leaves
in pregnancy, emphasizing the effect on the
cervix, and the safety profile of this herb.
The majority of women apply raspberry
leaves during pregnancy to induce and ease
labor. A 38-year-old nulliparous woman
with GDM developed hypoglycemia
requiring lowered insulin dose after
consuming raspberry leaf tea at 32 weeks of
gestation. The temporal relationship was
confirmed by the patient's self-withdrawal
and reintroduction of the herb. Fetal
surveillance and growth were reassuring. A
cesarean delivery was performed at 39
weeks of gestation. The neonate did not
experience hypoglycemia or other
complications. Placental biopsy revealed
normal findings. Consumption of raspberry
leaf may lead to reduced insulin
requirements in GDM.
Pregnant women are apprehensive about the
potential toxicity of conventional medicines,
so they use herbal products to complement
or to replace them, although much current
practice is not evidence based. Indeed, there
is evidence of the negative effects associated
with the use of some herbal remedies, and
data on safety for their use in pregnancy are
limited. Although herbal medicines contain
active con-stituents with pharmacological
properties and possible interactions with
other compounds, they are considered by
women natural and safer than conventional
drugs. In this case the use of raspberry
extract can be used to reduce GDM in
pregnancy, but women with GDM should be
careful in its use and monitor their glucose
levels more closely.
The use of medicinal plants in the Western labor; mean difference of 10 minutes; and a
world has increased rapidly over the last two lower rate of forceps use (19.3% vs 30.4%).
decades. The use of medicinal plants has
Red raspberry leaf – Relief of nausea,
been documented in many patient groups
increase in milk production, increase in
and the general public to improve health.
uterine tone, and ease of labor pains. There
The reported prevalence of medicinal plant
is some controversy over the use of red
use during pregnancy ranges from 7 to 56%.
raspberry leaf in the first trimester, primarily
It is concerning that in countries that report
because of concern of stimulating the uterine
high use of medicinal plants, there is
tone and potentially causing miscarriage.
evidence that pregnant women are using
Use in the second and third trimester is
potentially harmful medicines or herbal
generally considered safe.aspberry leaf
products. when documentation is
extract has a long history of use for pregnant
insufficient to assess safety during
women as an herbal tonic to help ease labor.
pregnancy.
This new trial suggests that this effect may
Red Raspberry Leaf be minor or non-existent, at least when
started in the 32nd week. While certainly not
Red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus, R
a safety study, the trial suggests that use of
occidentalis) has been used as uterine tonic
raspberry leaf extract beginning at 32 weeks
for at least two centuries. It is purported to
gestation may be safe for both mother and
increase blood flow to the uterus and aid the
child.
uterine muscle fibers in more organized
contraction. Many herbal texts promote its Search strategy
use to prevent miscarriage, prevent postdates
The search was carried out by colleagues in
presentation, decrease discomfort in
PubMed in October 2023. The search was
prodromal labor, and ease morning sickness.
carried out using each database, as well as
It is commonly consumed as tea, taken as
using the free search feature of each
one to three cups daily. Many studies have
database. The descriptors used for the free
documented safety. There was also one
search were as follows: pregnancy; rasberry,
recent randomized-controlled trial of 192
herbal therapy, non-pharmaceutical therapy.
women that showed no adverse effects to
Data search based on journals for the last
mother or baby; shorter second stage of
five years.
Materials and methods was demonstrated when high doses were
administered intravenously or
A literature search in the electronic
intaperitoneally in animal studies. Human
databases PubMed, ISI Web of Science,
studies have not shown any harm or benefit
AMED and EMBASE including articles
though one study demonstrated a clinically
from inception up to was performed with the
meaningful (though non-statistically
search terms: “safety” and/or “efficacy” in
significant) reduction in length of second
combination with “pregnant” or
stage and augmentation of labour in women
“pregnancy” in combination with
taking raspberry leaf. .The majority of
“raspberry” or “Rubus idaeus”. In addition
women apply raspberry leaves during
references on raspberry in Natural
pregnancy to induce and ease labor.
Medicines Comprehensive Database, The
However, it has not been possible to
Cochrane Library and the Complete German
determine the exact effect of using raspberry
Commission E were studied.The aim of this
extracts on the course of childbirth and the
systematic integrative review was to
perinatal period. Additionally, it is unclear
examine the research literature to identify
whether this herb has only positive effects.
the evidence base on the biophysical effects,
The currently available data indicate a weak
safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf in
effect of raspberry leaf extracts on labor
pregnancy. A systematic integrative
induction and, at the same time, their
approach was taken. An integrative review
possible negative impact on cervical
includes diverse data sources which enhance
ripening. Most complementary and
a holistic understanding of the topic of
alternative medicines used to induce labor
interest. This method allows for inclusion of
are recommended based on traditional
diverse methodologies, including
knowledge and not scientific research.
experimental and nonexperimental, and
Currently, clinical evidence is scarce and it
presents varied perspectives on the topic
is not possible to draw definitive
under study.
conclusions regarding the effectiveness of
Results this therapy. Other complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM) therapies may
Raspberry leaf has been shown to have
be useful but further investigation is needed.
biophysical effects on animal and human
smooth muscle including the uterus. Toxity Summary and Measures
Despite no scientific evidence of the Although raspberry leaf has been in
efficacy of RLT in pregnancy, 38% of traditional use for a very long time, the
women surveyed used it during pregnancy. evidence regarding safety, efficacy and
Further studies are required to determine active constituents is weak. More research is
whether the claims made about RLT are necessary before raspberry leaf should be
correct. Clinicians should base their advice recommended by health care personel.
on available evidence. Consumption of
Refrences
raspberry leaf may lead to reduced insulin
requirements in GDM. Women with GDM Bowman R, Taylor J, Muggleton S, Davis
should be cautioned about its use and their D. Biophysical effects, safety and efficacy
glucose levels more closely monitored. of raspberry leaf use in pregnancy: a
systematic integrative review. BMC
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