Once you are pregnant, your entire life changes. You have to be careful and calculative all the way and even the slightest complication can hinder two lives.
Every decision you make and every step you take is a crucial factor in deciding the future.
One of the most important judgments of maternal care is the detection of the onset of labor.
Labor induction is not initiated before 39 weeks of pregnancy unless there is a problem. (1)
However, many mothers use home remedies to initiate labor or speed up the process in order to mitigate the intensive labor pains.
So, we’re here to help you out in figuring out a few alternatives for labor induction.
Image credits: Elitecare Emergency Hospital
1. Introduction- What is Raspberry Tea?
The raspberry plant, Rubus idaeus is used to prepare concoctions using various parts such as leaves, fruits, and so on.
Raspberry leaf tea refers to the infusion of raspberry flavor in hot water.
The injection of flavor through leaves is called herbal tea while through fruits is called fruit tea.
There are diverse benefits of tea infused with raspberry.
Raspberry tea is a herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to assist with birth and tea to induce labor pregnancy. (2)
There are several variations in raspberry tea as well.
Often, it is prepared in combination with other ingredients such as lemon, ginger, hibiscus, and other accompaniments to enrich the flavor and elevate the overall benefits.
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2. Difference- Is Raspberry Zinger tea the same as Raspberry leaf?
Raspberry leaf tea vs Raspberry zinger :
Raspberry leaf tea is primarily made by steeping raspberry leaves in hot water.
It absorbs the leaf's nutrients, enriching itself in various nutrients and vitamins such as Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and so on. (3)
Since it is rich in nutrients,raspberry tea benefits hormones.
Raspberry zinger tea is a combination of raspberry and hibiscus leaves, giving it the combined benefits of both ingredients.
Hibiscus is extremely rich in antioxidants, beating Matcha as well. This combined with the many properties of raspberry leaves makes it invincible.
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3. Benefits: Raspberry zinger tea good for pregnancy
1. Blood pressure regulation:
Raspberry zinger tea is enriched with potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and reduces heart risks. (4)
2. Lactation Support:
Lactating mothers benefit from the consumption of raspberry zinger tea as it boosts breast milk production. (5)
If you do choose to drink raspberry zinger tea or raspberry leaf tea while breastfeeding, be sure to start with small amounts.
3. Abundant Antioxidants:
Tannins, Flavonoids, and Ellagic acid are some of the polyphenols present in raspberry leaves.
These antioxidants protect cells from damage and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions. (6)
4. Weight loss and Debloating:
Although not proven scientifically, raspberry zinger tea is recommended for weight loss as it improves fat metabolism.
Due to its diuretic effects, it's also sold as a “detox supplement” which can help ease puffiness caused by water retention. (7)
Image credits: Medical News Today
4. Does it have any link with inducing labor? - Raspberry zinger tea and labor
Raspberry teas are also treated as a uterine tonic as it boosts blood flow to the uterus and strengthens the uterine muscle fibers.
This helps in contractions and helps avoid excessive postpartum bleeding in the later stages of birth. (8)
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In a survey of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, 63% of the certified nurse-midwives (CNM) reported using the red raspberry leaf as an herbal supplement for labor induction in pregnant women.
One of the major reasons for using raspberry zinger tea and other herbal supplement teas is they are a natural alternative to Pitocin.
However, 21% of CNMs also reported complications associated with herbal labor stimulants, including early labor, prolonged uterine contractions, nausea, and vomiting. (9)
While pregnant women have resorted to raspberry zinger tea and other herbal teas for decades now, the actual research confirming the benefits is still incomplete and underway.
Therefore, more research is necessary to support the claims of herbal teas.
5. Recipes: Celestial Raspberry zinger tea for labor in 7 easy steps
If you're curious about how to make raspberry tea, there are many ways to prepare it.
Fortunately, preparing it with a pinch of lemon and zinger is simple as well.
Raspberry Zinger Lemon Iced Tea:
Step 1: Fill a pitcher with 1-gallon water.
Step 2: Immerse 1 box of Raspberry Zinger tea bags in water.
Set in a sunny place, and let steep for a minimum of 4 hours.
Step 3: In the meantime, mix
- 1 cup water,
- 1 cup sugar,
- 1 squeezed lemon juice in a small saucepan.
Step 4: Heat over high heat, constantly stirring until the sugar dissolves into the water, and the mixture is clear.
Step 5: Remove from heat, and let it cool in the refrigerator.
Step 6: When the tea is finished steeping, remove the tea bags from the water.
Step 7: Add the above mixture to the tea and store it in the fridge indefinitely.
Serve yourself fresh iced tea.
RECOMMEND READING: Ultimate Guide On Raspberry Tea Recipe
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6. How to consume and How much?
One ounce (28 grams) of red raspberry leaves contains 3.3 mg of iron, which is 18% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for women aged 19–50.
Hence, this helps women combat menstruation-related anemia. (10)
However, since it contains Hibiscus--we need to limit the daily intake to 1 to 3 cups of tea because it can exceed the recommended level of manganese content in the body.
What is the ideal time to consume raspberry leaf tea for pregnancy
It is safe to consume this pregnancy tea in the third trimester or after 32 weeks.
You should avoid this tea in the earlier stages of pregnancy as this tea is known to trigger contractions.
Furthermore, you should immediately stop drinking it if it causes extreme Braxton-Hicks contractions. (11)
Other viable options as a tea during pregnancy are
- Decaffeinated tea for pregnancy
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7. Conclusion
It is natural to seek remedies and tricks to help soothe some of the stress related to pregnancy.
When your due date has come and gone, your body is tired of exhaustion and the stress of it all clouds you, you resort to alternatives such as herbal teas.
However, it is only natural to wonder - ‘Is raspberry zinger tea safe during pregnancy?’.
So, we have compiled this article to help clear your doubts and hesitations in one place.
It is very important to keep in mind that there is still a lack of extensive research about the benefits of Raspberry zinger tea.
So, you have to discuss the consumption of this tea with your doctor to avoid any risks.
