Red Raspberry Leaf Tea - how much?

F47

I know there are several threads on this topic here, but there haven't been any lately. Since the board is more active these days, I thought maybe I could poll others about how much RRLT they're drinking (if they are). I started drinking one cup per day at 26 weeks. I'm now 28 weeks and not sure if I should increase to two cups, or just stay at one.

I know many of you have MWs who recommend a dosage to you. I'm just seeing my OB. I got the all clear to drink the tea, but he's obviously no herbalist.

So - what are your thoughts? Up the ante in the 3rd tri? Thanks ladies!

aylafsu88

I drank 1-2 cups a day starting at 34 weeks. I also went to an OB so they never mentioned anything about herbs/tea. I thought you can drink as much as you want since it does not make you go into labor but helps tone the uterus.

ClaireOtoms

I've been drinking 1-2 cups a day since 30 weeks.  Once I hit 36 I will up it to 2-3, and at 37 I will drink as much as I want - the stuff's delicious!

barista411

I am 29 weeks and I have been drinking 24 oz or about 3 cups. I will increase to 32 oz or about 4 cups in the last few weeks. I drink it iced with a little honey and I love it! I just drank 1 or 2 cups a day with my last pregnancy and my nurses were amazed by strong and consistent my contractions were so I swear by it!

JCWhitey

I started drinking RRLT at 16 weeks, 1 glass a day.  I up it to two around 32 weeks, I think?  I was planning to go three at 39 weeks but never had the chance, my baby was born at 38 weeks, 5 days.

And I still drink a cup a day even now.  I love it!  I mix it with black tea, lemon, and agave and then chill it over ice.  Delicious summer time drink!

tndalles

I went to a childbirth class at my local hospital and the said I shouldn't drink red raspberry leaf tea because it could cause a miscarriage. Has anyone heard of this before?

aylafsu88

@tndalles I think some providers do not recommend drinking RRL tea in the first tri but it is perfectly safe in the second and third tri.  It helps tone the uterus for L&D.

ScorpioMum

Where are you buying this? Wondering if the grocery store has it or should I be looking elsewhere.

barista411

Most grocery stores have it in there tea section or natural section. I used the brand Traditional Medicinals. This time I bought it in bulk from a local herbalist. You can also check amazon. I found this one that is 1 lb. for $13. Oh and a pound is quite a bit and should last a while. I found the bulk option to be a little more cost effective.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001A1VIFE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1378939915&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

JCWhitey

tndalles said:

I went to a childbirth class at my local hospital and the said I shouldn't drink red raspberry leaf tea because it could cause a miscarriage. Has anyone heard of this before?

I don't believe there's actually anything about RRLT that can cause a miscarriage.  I think people get confused when it says it causes uterine contractions and are scared off for it for that reason.  When, in fact, your uterus is constantly contracting, just very mildly, during your entire pregnancy.  Doesn't mean you're going to miscarry.  A lot of pregnancy teas have RRL in them and women drink it was the first trimester on without even realizing they are doing it. 

However, on that note, I think if you are high risk to begin with it's probably something you want to avoid until later in pregnancy.  I drank it from week 16 on and had no issues.  I plan to drink it from week 13 on with my next one.  I have had two m/c and one c/p so I'd rather personally not risk it in the first trimester, but otherwise wouldn't hesitate.  In fact, it'll be hard to give it up when we start to TTC again because I enjoy my RRLT so much!

insertclevername

I have been drinking about 8-12oz of RRL iced tea since the start of second tri.  Once I hit 3rd tri I plan to up it to as much as 32oz/day.  I usually use 8 tbsp of RRL for every two cups of water.  I add honey as a sweetener.  Then once it is cold I do 3/4 of a glass of the RRL iced tea and 1/4 of a glass of lemonade.  It is really delicious.

pixieprincss

My CPM/Herbalist had me drink 1 quart+ per day my my entire 3rd trimester. She encourages mamas to drink it as early in the pregnancy as possible, even pre-conception to help with PMS.

memo9

How do you make tea if it isn't a tea bag?

barista411

I make it in a French press like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000N2TYOS/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1379345285&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

Or you can use a tea strainer like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004RIZ7/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1379345326&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

I like the French press because I can make a large quantity and refrigerate it.

blathnat

I drink RRL tea even when I'm not pregnant because it helps with my periods, so I never really limited myself during pregnancy. Right now I make a french press of loose herbs in the morning and then add more hot water to the same herbs at some point in the afternoon. I do a mix of RRL, nettle, oat straw, and goat's rue (the goats rue is for milk production and only in the 3rd tri or while not pregnant) Its a really yummy, nutritious blend.