Raspberry Leaves (Folium Rubi Idaei) – Herb

Brew & Taste

The infusion of these leaves is bittersweet. The liquid is beautiful amber color and will pleasantly surprise you with the scent and taste of raspberries.

Origins

The raspberry bush, Latin name Rubus idaeus, has quite a lot to offer.

We are all familiar with the sweet fruit. According to a Greek myth, the color was given to it by Zeus' nanny when she pricked herself on a raspberry thorn. What's less known, though, is that people have been eating raspberries for thousands of years, even though it was a wild variant. In the Middle Ages, the raspberry juice was used as a dye in painting.

Some people in the Philippines still believe that the entangled canes of the bush banish evil spirits from their homes. In Germany, on the other hand, a bundle of branches tied to the body of a horse will tame even the most rebellious stallion.

And leaves? They are long favored by grandmothers and folk healers of Europe and Asia as well as the women of the indigenous Cherokee tribe. Its extant praise rings out across continents, and you'll find it in Greek myths, Roman medical writings and beyond.

The raspberry bush has taken over Europe, parts of Asia, and crossed the Bering Strait to North America. It is surprising, then, that the breeding of individual varieties only took place around the year 1600 in the UK and France. Scotland has long been a promised land for raspberries. In the 1950s, there was even a 'Raspberry Special', a train that ran between Scotland and London, bringing in regular supplies of these delicacies.

Although the leaves themselves may never reach the popularity of the juicy fruit, they are certainly not to be overlooked. They are picked in spring, before the flowers are fully developed. This allows them to retain all their beneficial substances. Tea from raspberry leaves is not only healthy, but unlike many "leaf" infusions, it tastes pleasant and you can savor it for a longer time. And most importantly – it's good for everyone. The only exception is expectant mothers, who have to wait until after the 35th week of pregnancy.

Herb packaging preview

We pack our herbs in a strong, zip-lock aluminum packet which allows you to easily re-seal its contents. Thanks to the hermetic seal, the herbs are protected against humidity, light and foreign odors, all of which could noticeably affect the quality of the brew and the herb itself.