What is red raspberry?
Red raspberries are bramble fruits belonging to family Rosaceae. The raspberry roots are perennial and forms erect stems, covered with fine prickles. Each stem reaches its full height during the first year but only bears raspberries in the second year. After flowering and bearing fruits, the two year old raspberry stems will die but the roots will survive and produce new stems next year. The red raspberry flowers are white or pink. The ripe red raspberry is usually red. The red raspberry is distinguished from other berries, such as blackberry, in having fruit that can be separated easily from its common receptable when ripe.
Parts used
Red raspberry leaves and fruits (red raspberries).
Phytochemicals
These are typical phytochemicals found in red raspberry: red raspberries are rich in gallotanins, cumaric acid,
flavonoids,
quercetin,
anthocyanins,
ferulic acid,
ellagic acid.
Benefits of red raspberry
For medicinal use, mainly the red raspberry leaves are used. They are astringent and stimulant. Tea from red raspberry leaves is used to treat throat infections and diarrhoea. Raspberry leaves are often used by pregnant women because of their relaxing and astringent actions. Raspberry leaves were used to facilitate childbirth and to stimulate milk production. Red raspberry leaves are believed to strengthen the uterus muscles of the uterus and thereby hastening childbirth. Studies with animals and humans have indeed indicated that raspberries leaves have uteronic activity.
The red raspberry fruits (or simple raspberry) are very rich in anthocyanins and in particular ellagic acid. Because of the anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity of ellagic acid, consumption of red raspberries may decrease the risk for cancer. Studies have shown that ellagic inhibits tumor growth caused by carcinogens and that it protects DNA against damage from radiation therapy.
The anthocyanins in red raspberry act as antioxidants, protecting against heart disease and mental ageing problems.
Other facts
The red raspberry is native to Europe, Asia and North America. Commercial cultivars are grown throughout the world for their berries.
Other names
Hindberry, hindbeer, framboos.
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