How to Harvest and Preserve Red Raspberry Leaves
Harvest and preserve red raspberry leaves for a number of medicinal purposes, mostly related to women’s health. From regulating menstrual cycles to alleviating menstrual cramps to supporting a healthy labour, red raspberry leaves are here to support women’s general health and well-being.
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Red raspberries are abundant in my area which means there is also a lot of leaves! The more I learn about herbalism, the more I see that there is a purpose for everything. Let’s learn about the purpose of red raspberry leaves!
What are the health benefits of red raspberry leaves?
Women’s Health: Red raspberry leaf tea is often recommended for menstrual and reproductive health. It is believed to help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, and alleviate menstrual cramps.
Pregnancy and Labor: Many midwives and herbalists recommend red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters. It is thought to tone the uterus, potentially leading to a more efficient labor. Some studies suggest it might help shorten the duration of labor and reduce the likelihood of complications.
Rich in Nutrients: The tea is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and E, magnesium, potassium, and iron. These nutrients can help support overall health.
Antioxidant Properties: Red raspberry leaves contain antioxidants that can help protect the body from oxidative stress and inflammation.
Digestive Health: The tea is sometimes used to soothe digestive issues, such as diarrhea or nausea.
Immune Support: Due to its high vitamin C content, red raspberry leaf tea may help boost the immune system.
When To Harvest Red Raspberry Leaves
The best time of year to harvest red raspberry leaves is late spring to early summer, before the plant begins to flower. This time of year is when the plants energy is directed to the leaves, instead of the flowers or fruit, which makes them the most mineral and nutrient rich at this time.
The best time of day to harvest your leaves is early in the morning before the sun gets too hot. This prevents them from wilting after harvest.
How To Harvest Red Raspberry Leaves
When harvesting red raspberry leaves, look for bright and clean leaves on the plants.
Avoid leaves with insect damage, nutrient deficiencies, attached to a flowering plant, or old-looking.
Dehydrating Red Raspberry Leaf
The easiest way to preserve red raspberry leaves is by dehydrating them with a dehydrator. To do this simply:
- Harvest red raspberry leaves and give them a rinse in the sink with a strainer to remove dust and insects. No need to pat dry, any excess water will evaporate in the dehydrator.
- Place leaves on the dehydrator trays until all trays are full or you run out of leaves. I recommend filling all the trays with leaves so you get the most out of each round of dehydrating.
- Place the full trays into the dehydrator.
- Dehydrate at 35C (95F) for 4-6 hours depending on the leaves. Dehydrate until leaves come out dry and crumbly.
Dehydrating herbs is my favourite way of preserving them. This is made easy with my 12-tray dehydrator. It’s efficient, easy to use, and I can do large batches each round which makes it more worth the effort. If you’ve ever dehydrated herbs before, you’ll know what feels like a large amount of leaves, is actually a very small amount of dehydrated herb. I feel like I get a better return for my effort when I can do large batches each time. Follow the link to get the dehydrator I use.
Alternatively, you can dehydrate without a dehydrator. Simply collect leaves attached to large stems and tie them together and hang somewhere dry in your home or outside. Keep out of direct sunlight and protect from dust and bugs. This could take anywhere for 1-2 weeks depending on your leaves, outdoor temperature, humidity, and how tightly packed they are.
Storing Dried Red Raspberry Leaves
Once your red raspberry leaves are dried, store in an airtight glass container out of direct sunlight for up to a year to retain potency.
How can I consume red raspberry leaves?
- Tea
- Tincture
- Herbal Infusion
- Water Kefir
1. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
To make red raspberry leaf tea, add 1 tsp of dried leaves per 1 cup of hot water. Let steep for 3-5 minutes. Enjoy with lemon or honey!
To make red raspberry lead tea using fresh leaves, add around 5 fresh leaves per cup of hot water. Let steep for 3-5 minutes. Enjoy with lemon or honey!
2. Red Raspberry Leaf Tincture
Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts. Red raspberry leaf tinctures can be used if you experience painful menstrual symptoms or for general wellness. You can consult with a healthcare provider, but generally, 1-2 droppers or 1/4 tsp of the herbal tincture in water or tea can safely be apart of your general wellness routine. Learn how to make a red raspberry leaf tincture here.
3. Red Raspberry Leaf Herbal Infusion
A herbal infusion is a large, strong tea that can be sipped throughout the day everyday for maximum benefits. It can be made by adding 1oz. (28g) of dried herb or 2oz. (56g) of fresh herb to 1 quart (4 cups) of hot water. Let this mixture infuse for 4 hours to overnight.
4. Red Raspberry Leaf Water Kefir
Water kefir is a great way to incorporate herbs into your daily routine. Consuming red raspberry leaf through water kefir offers the benefits of both the herb and the probiotic and anti-inflammatory properties of water kefir. Learn how to make Red Raspberry Leaf & Ginger Water Kefir here.
Dehydrate Red Raspberry Leaves
Equipment
- Scissors
- Dehydrator
Ingredients
- Harvest Basket
- Red Raspberry Plants
- Glass Jar with Airtight Lid
Instructions
- Harvest red raspberry leaves and give them a rinse in the sink with a strainer to remove dust and insects. No need to pat dry, any excess water will evaporate in the dehydrator.
- Place leaves on the dehydrator trays until all trays are full or you run out of leaves. I recommend filling all the trays with leaves so you get the most out of each round of dehydrating.
- Place the full trays into the dehydrator.
- Dehydrate at 35C (95F) for 4-6 hours depending on the leaves. Dehydrate until leaves come out dry and crumbly.
- Store dried leaves in an airtight glass jar and keep out of direct sunlight for up to a year to retain potency.
Notes
The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
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