Botanical Name: Rubus idaeus
Plant Part: Dried Leaf and fruit
Status: Certified Organic
Place of Origin: Australia

Description: A thorny perennial bush found in woods throughout Britain, Europe and northern Asia and cultivated in most temperate areas. It has a creeping rootstock and biennial, slightly prickly flowering stems up to 1.5m high. The leaves are divided into three to five pointed and toothed leaflets, light green above and whitish underneath; the long panicles of white flowers with short, narrow petals give way to the familiar red fruit.

Collection: the leaves are collected throughout the growing season but before the fruit ripens; the fruit is collected when ripe.

Indications: diarrhoea, pregnancy, stomatitis; as a gargle for tonsillitis or an eye lotion for conjunctivitis

Therapeutics and Pharmacology: Rubus leaves have a long tradition of use during pregnancy to strengthen and tone uterine tissue, assisting contractions and checking haemorrhage during labour. For this action to occur the herb should be drunk regularly throughout the last trimester of pregnancy and during labour. The infusion also enriches an encourages the flow of breast milk. As an astringent, Rubus may be used in the treatment of diarrhoea, stomatitis and leucorrhoea, and as a gargle for tonsillitis, a mouthwash for mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and inflammations, and as an eyewash for conjunctivitis. The leaves are sometimes included in rheumatic remedies where they have a diuretic action, and in France they are regarded as a tonic for the prostate gland. The diluted tincture may be applied to wounds and inflammations or as a mouthwash for ulcers and gum inflammations. The berries are traditionally taken for indigestion and rheumatism. They are rich in nutrients and iron and help combat anaemia.