Raspberry Leaf Tea for Bleeding After a Miscarriage

The American Pregnancy Association reports that approximately 15 to 20 percent of confirmed pregnancies result in miscarriage, usually within the first trimester. Symptoms of a miscarriage include vaginal bleeding, which may be brown or red in color. Raspberry leaf tea, advocated by midwives and practitioners of holistic medicine, may either soothe or exacerbate the bleeding, depending on the ingested dosage of the tea 2. Herbal remedies are rarely recommended by practitioners of conventional medicine due to the lack of scientific research. Consult with a health care adviser prior to ingesting raspberry leaf tea 2.

Background Information

The American Pregnancy Association explains that raspberry leaf tea serves as a uterine tonic to alleviate labor and reduce the risk of medical complications, such as pre-term delivery, excessive bleeding or preeclampsia 2. The astringent nature of the tannins, provided by the tea, strengthen the uterus, which may ease the bleeding associated with a miscarriage. Furthermore, raspberry leaf tea contains iron, a mineral that is essential for the prevention of anemia 2. Anemia occurs through an iron-deficient diet or when the body loses a significant amount of blood.

Health Concerns

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Local Harvest, an informational site committed to connecting consumers with local farmers, notes that high dosage of raspberry leaf tea may cause the uterus to relax or contract 2. Contraction of the uterus may help to soothe the bleeding, whereas relaxation of the uterus may increase blood loss since a relaxed uterus is be unable to control the loss of blood from the placental site. According to Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals, failure of a relaxed uterus to contract is the most common cause of post-partum hemorrhage.

Controversy

Whether pregnant women or women that have recently suffered a miscarriage should ingest raspberry leaf tea is controversial 12. Experts that advocate raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy disagree as to the stages of pregnancy in which the tea should be allowed 2. Drugs.com suggests that pregnant or nursing women avoid raspberry leaf tea, while the American Pregnancy Association has deemed raspberry leaf tea as safe during the second and third trimesters 2. Women who recently suffered a miscarriage should take the same precautions as pregnant or lactating women as their bodies are in a fragile state of health.

Considerations

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A study published in the November 2009 edition of "Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice" concluded that further research is necessary to fully understand the effects raspberry leaf tea may have on pregnant or lactating women 12. Consult with your doctor regarding recent studies on the effects of raspberry leaf tea and bleeding following a miscarriage and for alternative treatment options 2.