Nearly everyone suffers from an occasional bout of runny or watery stools. Diarrhea, often the result of eating contaminated food or the side effect of a virus or bacteria, is uncomfortable, and you may have additional symptoms, including abdominal cramping, thirst and weight loss. Raspberry tea may ease mild symptoms of diarrhea, but if watery stools persist, call your doctor.
Raspberry Tea
The leaves of the red raspberry plant, or Rubus idaeus, have a long history of use by midwives and expectant mothers for treating female reproductive disorders, and for reducing the severity of labor, but no clinical studies verify the herb's effectiveness. The leaves contain flavonoids and tannins, which are slightly astringent, according to the "PDR for Herbal Medicines."
Uses
While raspberry tea is not usually taken as a treatment for diarrhea, the astringent properties of the tea might offer gentle antidiarrheal action, reports the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine." Raspberry leaf is generally safe for most people, including pregnant women, who may drink up to 3 cups of the tea per day, according to NYU Langone University.
Tea Preparation
The "Gale Encyclopedia" suggests making herbal raspberry tea by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of the herb and steeping for 10 minutes before straining. You may also prepare a hot or cold raspberry leaf drink by stirring up to 4 mL of raspberry leaf tincture into a cup of water.
Considerations
Avoid wilted raspberry leaves, which may be toxic, if you're harvesting the leaves from your own plant. Ironically, although raspberry tea may treat mild diarrhea, at doses higher than recommended, the herb can trigger diarrhea. While there is no indication that raspberry is harmful, that may be due, in part, to a lack of research on the safety of the herb. Do not give the tea to children or people with kidney or liver disorders, unless directed by a doctor.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Diarrhea
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd Edition"; Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D., 2000
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Red Raspberry
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