Raspberry

Raspberry fruit has been found to be very high in antioxidants, the nutrients that help prevent many degenerative diseases. The ancient Greeks, Chinese, and Native Americans used the leaves of raspberries and blackberries interchangeably, externally to treat wounds and in tea to treat diarrhea. It has also become very helpful to pregnant women in several respects.

Raspberry Uses

Raspberry has been shown to help pregnant women deal with morning sickness, calm the uterus, and prevent miscarriage. For these reasons, it’s been called the pregnant woman’s herb. Raspberry leaves contain tannins, which remedies diarrhea.

Raspberries contain a high level of antioxidants which help prevent and even reverse the harm to cells caused by free radicals (invaders). Free radical damage is the underlying cause of heart disease, cancer, and other degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The darker the fruit the more antioxidants it contains.

Cataracts are a major cause of vision impairment and blindness in older Americans. The antioxidants presenting raspberries have powerful effects on the eyes. Raspberries can stop the progression of cataracts. Similarly, macular degeneration, an eye deterioration, leads to blindness and can be reversed by raspberries. If you have eye problems, raspberries are beneficial herbs to stop or reverse the problems.

Another study of raspberries effect on the human body shows that it helps reduce blood sugar levels, suggesting the herb can aid in diabetes symptoms.

Raspberry Recommendations

For an antioxidant rich snack, eat raspberries fresh, frozen, canned, or in preserves. There is really no such thing as too much or too many raspberries. They can be eaten as a topping for waffles, in a smoothie, or plain in a dish for dessert. To treat diarrhea or pregnancy related issues, make a raspberry tea and drink as needed. To treat children’s diarrhea, use cool diluted raspberry tea.

Raspberry Precautions

Raspberries are generally safe, even for pregnant women. Women with a history of miscarriage may find raspberry especially helpful, but should be used in a minimal amount at first. Then the dosage can increase slowly. The tannins in raspberries can have pro cancer and anti cancer effects so make sure to speak with your doctor first if you’ve had cancer in the past.

Raspberries are commonly recommended to relieve diarrhea and to end nausea and vomiting, especially the morning sickness of pregnancy. If you think your lifestyle promotes free radical damage, you should consider eating raspberries on a regular basis. While raspberries are in season for only a short time, frozen raspberries can be bought and stored for months. They are picked at the height of ripeness before freezing.

Now that you know that raspberries have medicinal uses, choose raspberries over strawberries next time. Raspberries go a long way to extend your life, and reduce diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diseases commonly associated with old age including macular degeneration, cataracts, and Alzheimer’s disease. And, if you know a pregnant woman with morning sickness or at high risk for miscarriage, remember to mention the powerful effects of raspberries to her.