Excerpt from The Birth Center Client Manual
Red raspberry and nettle are considered to be nourishing herbs. They are the safest category of herbs and can be used for extended periods of time and in large amounts safely. They nourish and replenish the body, particularly in the kidneys, liver, and the adrenals. Red raspberry contains vitamins and minerals such as C, E, A, and B complex, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium.
Raspberry prevents miscarriage and hemorrhage, decreases morning sickness, and reduces pain in labor by toning the muscles of the uterus. Nettle has more chlorophyll than any other herb along with vitamin A, C, D, and K; calcium; potassium; phosphorus; and iron. Nettle is particularly beneficial for leg cramps and other muscle spasms because of the high calcium content. The vitamins in nettle increase the iron in the blood and reduce the risk of hemorrhage. It also strengthens the blood vessels, which reduces the risk of hemorrhoids, and increases the amount of breast milk a mother produces.
It is recommended that you drink red raspberry and nettle tea throughout pregnancy as follows: 3-4 tablespoons of nettle and red raspberry to one quart boiling water. Let steep for 2-4 hours. Strain and refrigerate. Drink hot or cold—one cup per day in the first trimester, 2 cups per day in the second trimester, and 3 cups per day in the third trimester. Red raspberry frozen chips sucked throughout labor can facilitate placenta expulsion and prevent hemorrhage.