Pedersen suggests a daily dosage of red raspberry leaf as follows:

“ Fresh leaf: ¼- ½ cup, Dried leaf: 6-12 gm, Extract: 9 gm dried leaf, 45 ml alcohol, 45 ml water.”[1]

Dr. Christopher recommends 1-2 teaspoonfuls of fluid extraction of the leaves, 1 teacupful at mealtimes three times per day either hot or cold of the infusion, 1-2 grams of the powder, and ½-1 teaspoon of the tincture.[2] 

Many midwives recommend raspberry for good reason.  Its leaf is beneficial to women, especially those who are pregnant.  A hot infusion of the leaves balances hormones.  It has been shown to relax the smooth muscle of the uterus as well as to contract the uterus when relaxed.[3] Willa Shafer says, “When first pregnant, ladies need this herb above all others.  In my experience this herb has been one of the best for preventing birth defects in the newborn.  Red Raspberry prevents morning sickness and helps to strengthen the uterus.  In most cases, Red Raspberry will prevent miscarriage.  Red Raspberry makes delivery faster and prevents tearing of the cervix.”[4] There have been several studies conducted on raspberry leaf taken in pregnancy.  Most commentary on these studies state that no harm is done by taking raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy, but it doesn’t significantly help either.  However, the actual results of the studies suggest the opposite.  In one study, mothers who consumed raspberry leaf had a shorter labor and their babies were less likely to be delivered by forceps.  A study published by the Australian College of Midwives Journal stated, “The findings also suggest ingestion of the drug might decrease the likelihood of pre and post-term gestation. An unexpected finding in this study seems to indicate that women who ingest raspberry leaf might be less likely to receive an artificial rupture of their membranes, or require a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth than the women in the control group.” [5]  Clearly raspberry leaf does have an effect on pregnancy and parturition.  There is no definitive dosage on the appropriate dosage in pregnancy.  Some midwives recommend 1 cup per trimester per day, with the third trimester being 3 or more cups per day.  Some midwives recommend 1 quart per day throughout pregnancy. 

Jeannine Parvati states, “It is also helpful against sterility and prized for helping infertile women and men conceive.”[6]  This may be due to the balancing action on the sex hormones.  In rat studies, gonadotropin was given in large doses to the female rats in order to increase the weight of the ovaries and uterus.  A water extract of raspberry leaf was then given to the rats.  The raspberry leaf extract significantly inhibited the affects of the gonadotropin but did not abolish it.[7]  Excess gonadotropin can result in infertility problems.  Edwards recommends combining raspberry with red clover blossoms, lady’s mantle, or wild grape to enhance fertility.[8]

Cold infusions are antidiarrheal.  Mowrey attributes this to the astringent properties due to the tannic acids present.  Furthermore, these astringent properties are used in dysentery, internal bleeding, ulcers, and chronic skin diseases. 

Dr. Christopher used raspberry for constipation, nausea, diarrhea, dysentery, diabetes, pregnancy, uterine hemorrhage, parturition, uterine cramps, labor pains, cholera infantum, leucorrhea, prolapsus uteri, prolapsed anus, hemorrhoids, dyspepsia, vomiting, colds, fevers, intestinal flu, bowel complaint, thrush, relaxed sore throat, opthalmia, sore mouth, sore throat, spongy gums, ulcers, wounds, and gonorrhea.  The formulas mentioned before, found in the School of Natural Healing, should be administered as follows: the eyewash should be used to bathe the eyes freely; the formula for excessive menstruation should be taken ½-1 cupful 3 to 4 times per day; for an inflamed uterus ½ of the inflammation of the uterus formula should be injected into the womb every other day to soothe and tone the uterus; in addition to addressing the glandular toxicity in mumps, 2 fluid ounces of the mumps formula should be taken 3 to 4 times per day;  the piles formula should be used externally as needed; and the dosage for the parturition tea is 1 teacupful every hour during labor or as needed.[9] 

Raspberry leaf also cleanses mucus membranes and thins excess mucus secretions.  This may be one reason, in addition to the antiviral and antibacterial properties, that it is helpful for colds and flu.  To aid in this process, Marin’s Lung Support Tea should be taken in a dose of one cup every 6-8 hours or as needed.  Marisa’s Lung Support Formula can be taken to strengthen the lungs and aid in healing the damaged lungs.  This should be taken in a dose of 1 dropper 2-3 times per day. 

Raspberry contains ellagitannins.  One cup per day of raspberries, 40 mg of ellagitannins, has been shown to prevent the growth of abnormal cells.  In lower doses they slow the growth of the cells, but in high doses, they instruct the cancer cells to kill themselves.  This has been shown in cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, esophagus, pancreas, and skin.  Ellagitannins also break down leukemia cells.  Another way that raspberries protect against cancer is by preventing cell mutation.  Ellagitannins also protect against cancer by binding to cancer causing agents, be it petroleum byproducts, food additives, or tobacco smoke, and rendering them neutral.  The ellagitannins also prevent bacteria from mutating, and protect DNA from carcinogens by blocking the carcinogens from binding to the DNA.  The ellagitannins in red raspberry have also been shown to lower birth defects, promote wounds to heal, reduce heart disease, and may reverse liver fibrosis caused by chemicals.[10]