Red Raspberry Leaves

[tjporter]

Doc Jones,

I grow red raspberries and my fall crop of berries is almost done. I know you need to use leaves when they have most nutrients, which probably isn’t now, but hate to let them die on the stalks. Can I still use them, and do I just need to use more since they won’t be as potent?

[IdahoHerbalist]

I would harvest the best looking ones as soon as possible Do no take more than 1/3 of the leaves so the roots can be fed before Winter. I need to do this myself.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Don’t let “best” be the enemy of “good enough”. If they’re still green and supple, there’s still medicine in there. Gather enough to get you through the winter but I wouldn’t tincture them or anything. Wait for the primo spring leaves if you’re going to spend that kind of money on a project. 🙂

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

I was reading about raspberry leaves in Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West by Moore, page 214, and it says under MEDICINAL USE, “The leaves and especially the root are serviceable as a treatment for diarrhea and dysentery….” Then it later says, in the same paragraph, “…the root and fruit are slightly laxative and diuretic.” It sounds like raspberry leaves and roots are explained here as doing two opposite things in the body. Can someone explain this to me please?

[IdahoHerbalist]

The BEST answer (rather than good enough 😛 ) is that PLANTS ARE SMART.

For example: Cayenne and Hawthorn can help your body with both low AND high blood pressure.

Sometimes it is the quantity that is the key.

For example: Lobelia is a GREAT plant for muscle aches and pains. Taken in too large a quantity it becomes an emetic.

[IdahoHerbalist]

IdahoHerbalist wrote: I would harvest the best looking ones as soon as possible

Doc Jones wrote: Don’t let “best” be the enemy of “good enough”.

I really think we were trying to say the same thing.

[Author]

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