Red Raspberry Leaf

Rubus idaeus

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Rosaceae, or rose family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• R. idaeus originated in south Europe/north Asia around Mount Ida near Troy in northwest Turkey, hence its Latin name Rubus (red) and idaeus (Mount Ida). R. idaeus has been naturalized and inter-bred with other Rubus species from all over the world, notably North America. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Leaf, fruit ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Astringent
• Tonic
• Nutritive
• Hemostatic
• Parturient ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Strengthen/tonifying the uterus
• Strengthen contractions
• Reduce hemorrhage
• Diarrhea
• Leukorrhea
• Aphthous ulcers (canker sores) ^[2]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Flavonoids, tannins, fruit sugar, volatile oil, pectin, citric acid, malic acid. ^[2]
7. System Affinities:
• Circulatory, female reproductive, digestive ^[3]  
8. Energetics:
• Drying, mobile, light, hard ^[3]
9. Safety:
• Long-term use should be avoided due to high tannin content - can restrict nutrient absorption. 1^st and 2^nd trimester use should be discouraged due to uterine tonifying effect. ^[1]
10. Interactions:
• None known. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The raspberry leaves (dried) are not very green, more of a dark brown color with light yellow stems mixed in. They smell incredibly sweet, just like raspberries. I can’t detect any sourness or bitterness whatsoever.
2. Preparation Method:
• Tincture: (1:5 in 40%) 2 - 4 ml 3x/day
• Infusion: 2 tsp dried herb in 1 cup boiling water, drink “freely” ^[1]
3. Usage Notes:
• I made a hot infusion, and cooled it in the fridge overnight to drink the next day. I drank the entire jar the morning before flying to Seattle for onsite, and I had some interesting sensations while traveling. I felt very lightheaded and like I wasn't grounded - I even had a couple scary moments on some extremely steep escalators coming out of the LightRail tunnel. Since this is a mobile, light, herb, perhaps it's not the best for air travel. I did sense some uterine cramping as well!

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 1 Study Questions. Bastyr University: SP-18_MW5123-A Botanicals 3: Pregnancy.
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.

Dandelion Root

Taraxacum officinale

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Asteraceae, or daisy family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• The common dandelion is considered a weed that easily grows in temperate environments. Taraxacum officinale is native to Europe and Asia, and was originally imported to America as a food crop. Dandelion can be found in backyards, sidewalks, near water, or anywhere that the soil is damp. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Root (hepatic) ^[1]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Hepatic
• Prebiotic
• Cholagogue
• Antirheumatic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Hypoglycemic
• Immunomodulating 
• Laxative
• Tonic ^[1]

4. Indications:
• Edema
• Pruritus/PUPPPs
• Inflammation of the liver and gallbladder
• Chronic gastritis 
• Relieve nausea and vomiting
• Improve appetite
• Chronic jaundice
• Autointoxication
• Muscular rheumatism
• Blood disorders
• Chronic skin eruptions ^{[1, 2]}

5. Plant Constituents:
• Sesquiterpene lactones, diterpenes, triterpenes, sterols, carotenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, potassium (up to 4.5% in aerial parts). ^[2]
6. System Affinities:
• Hepatic, muscular, lymphatic, immune, integumentary, gastrointestinal ^[2]  
7. Energetics:
• Cooling, clear, dry, mobile ^[3]
8. Safety:
• Safety class 1, but avoid in 1st trimester of pregnancy. ^[2]
• Precaution: High vata ^[3]
9. Interactions:
• None known. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The dried root is pale brown, and ground up. It smells very good, sweet and flowery. I can sense some bitter notes.
2. Preparation Method:
• Tincture: (1:5 in 60%) 2.5 – 5 ml 3x/day
• Decoction: 2-3 tbsp dried root in 1 cup boiling water, drink 3x/day ^[2]
3. Usage Notes:
• I am working on a tincture of this herb and will post my impressions when it is ready!

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 1 Study Questions. Bastyr University: SP-18_MW5123-A Botanicals 3: Pregnancy.
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.