Ravishing Raspberry

In The Healing Herbs, Michael Castleman calls raspberry "the herb for pregnant women." In addition to alleviating nausea and labor pains, it may help prevent miscarriage, since it contains a uterine relaxant.

Raspberry is, like blackberry, astringent. So it, too, will cure diarrhea--in a much more pleasant manner than any over-the-counter remedy! A vinegar prepared from the berries or a tea brewed from the leaves also makes a good gargle for sore mouth or throat. Wilder writes that "raspberry vinegar was made in every home in my youth and, when diluted with water and finely crushed ice, is a most refreshing and innocuous summer drink."

Raspberries are also reputed to reduce blood sugar and help prevent cancer. And, of course, they are often the delicious main ingredient in jellies, pies, etc. They seem to be especially popular when combined with chocolate in one form or another. As my siblings and I can testify, raspberries are excellent eaten right off the bramble too, provided you can get to them before your greedy relatives do!

Note: Schaffer raspberry image by A. A. Newton and Hoosier raspberry image by E. I. Schutt are courtesy of the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture at http://www.ars.usda.gov . Red raspberry image is coutesy of the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine at http://www.swsbm.com/homepage/ .

Bibliography

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