Raspberry
Raspberry, Rubus idaeus (lat.)
Medicinal purpose
The fruit is used for medicinal purposes. The leaves and the flowers are used rarely. The fruit is gathered when completely ripe, put in a basket in layers with leaves of some wide-leaf plants. The leaves and the flowers can be gathered in June-July, dried in cool place and stored in bags. The fruits are dried in thin layers in the sun or in the oven at 60-80 degrees in Celsius. The fruits should be turned over every once a while. If the drying is done correctly, the dry-fruit should make 18-20% of the initial material, and should not leave scents when touched.
From the times of ancient Greeks and Romans raspberry was used not only as food but also as medicine. In Armenian medical practice the raspberries were used against flu, chronic rheumatism and other diseases. The concentrate of the fruit with honey was used against rubella. The fruit is widely used against gum diseases, anemia, and stomachache, as well as for easing digestion and for sobering from drunkenness.
Raspberry fruits were widely used against fever, and the decoction of the flowers – against snake bites by making poultices.
In the Tibet medical practice the extract and decoction of raspberry fruit and leaves are known as cure for neurasthenia, a number of neuroses, and a row of pungent and chronic infections. The extract of raspberry fruits and leaves in Austria was used as vitamin drink, as well as cure against cough.
The plant leaves in Germany were used against diarrhea and throat diseases. As an antiphlogistic substance, the leaves in Bulgaria were used against stomach bleeds, diarrhea, vomiting, menstrual problems, and number of respiratory diseases. In a number of countries the decoction of flowers are used against pimples on the face, red wind, eye inflammations (via poultices), and haemorrhoid, malaria, number of feminine diseases (by drinking). The flowers, fruits and leaves are considered to be anti-sclerotic, antiphlogistic, fever reducing means in a row of countries.
In the scientific medicine raspberry is known as sweat generating, fever reducing means, it is also used for medical flavoring (especially for kids’ medicine).
The diuretic and expectoration characteristics of raspberry fruits are proven scientifically. The fresh raspberry fruit relieves fever. It also slakes the thirst and eases the digestion process. Though, since they contain purine alkalis in big quantities, the fruits are contraindicated for people who have gout or nephritis. Medical characteristics for wild raspberry are more than of domestic ones.
Use
The extract consists of 20 grams of dried fruit soaked in 200 ml hot water for 20 minutes, which should be used one table-spoon, three times a day. The other option is to mix two table-spoons of dried fruit with one cup of hot water and use the same way. Or mix two tea-spoons of dried fruit in one cup of hot water for 20 minutes and drink as tea. The latest can be repeated every hour to reduce the high temperature.
To make an extract from the leaves, two table-spoons of dried leaves should be mixed with one cup of hot water, left for 30 minutes and used for mouth rinse. In case of dysentery, an aromatic tea from raspberry and blackberry – one tea-spoon from each plant mixed with one cup of hot water, using one table-spoon, three times a day.
To make an extract from fruit, 30 grams of dried fruit should be mixed with 200 ml of hot water for 20 minute. This should be drunk at once as sudorific liquid. The procedure can be repeated 2-3 times a day. Or 10 grams of fruit can be mixed with 200 ml water for mouth or throat rinse.
To make a decoction from the flowers, 20 grams are mixed with 200 ml water, boiled for 20 minutes and drunken one table-spoon, three times a day. Or 1 table-spoon mixed with one cup of water, boiled for 20 minutes and used the same way. To make a decoction from dry leaves, one table-spoon should be mixed one cup of water and boiled for 20 minutes, and used for throat rinse and as lotion in case of skin diseases.
In cases of pus wounds and face pimples, an ointment from fresh leaves is used – mixing one portion of leaf-liquid with 4 portions of butter or Vaseline.
Other use
Raspberry fruits are very delicious. They are used fresh, as well as with sugar mixed with milk. Raspberry jam is also very delicious. The fruits are widely used in pastry production, as well as liquor and vodka production. They are frozen for long term use. Raspberry is also melliferous. The honey is of high quality.
Warning
These are folk remedies and are no guarantee is made as to either their effectiveness, or their safety.