I was wondering if anyone knew if it would be helpful or harmful to drink red raspberry leaf tea if I have marginal placenta previa? I always hear how great RRL is, but recently read that could cause uterine contractions, which I would want to avoid with the placenta previa. Anyone know anymore about this tea? It's hard to find real info on it. Thanks!
Re: Red raspberry leaf tea question
You can also get capsules from the health food shop, if you get sick of the tea. I would double check with medical professional first though, just in case.
I am not sure what it would do for placenta previa considering that condition is placental and nothing to do with the uterine muscles.
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But this is for a generally safe pregnancy to begin with. It does have a toning effect on the uterine muscles and I don't know if this could cause further problems with the condition that you mentioned.
Red Rasberry Leaf tea, prepared as an Infusion, steeped in a closed container for a minimum of four hours, and taken in medicinal doses, up to one quart per day, in the second and third trimester of pregnancy has been shown both incidentally and on some medical studies to be beneficial.
Just drinking a few cups of the tea here or there that has only steeped for less then four hours is not going to do anything for you or to you for that matter.
This is from the American Pregnancy Association,
Herbal Tea and Pregnancy: AKA Pregnancy Teas
"There are a number of teas labeled as Pregnancy Teas or herbs such as red raspberry leaf that are in teas, that are considered to be good for pregnancy. Many midwives and professionals who work with herbs believe that the regular consumption of these teas may help prevent pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm labor, prolonged labor, and postpartum hemorrhage.
Medical studies have shown that red raspberry leaf can be consumed safely during pregnancy and can decrease the length of labor and decrease the number of interventions used such as artificial rupture of membranes AROM, assisted delivery, and cesarean delivery. Red raspberry leaf also seems to help prevent pregnancies from preor postterm gestation delivering too early or too late."
An herbalist could answer your question and help you determine of here are other herbal allies that would be better for you during pregnancy. There are other herbs such as Nettle that are quite good for pregnancy as well.
I love how it tastes and will be drinking it again when I get to be around 32 weeks. Don't ask me why I'm waiting that long, it's a totally arbitrary date.