Raspberry Leaf Tea or Capsules???

[wannabewillow]

Hi all. Have a wee quick question. I had been taking raspberry leaf capsules until last week when the M/W at antenatal classes said that the tea was more effective. When I went to Holland and Barratt to buy the tea, I was told the capsules were stronger and more effective. I've chosen to take the word of the M/W and drink the tea (not bad with one sugar and cooled in the fridge) but it stains my teeth quite badly and I was wondering if anyone else had any experience with the capsule/tea and which one is more effective. I know that over the past couple of weeks, I've been getting a lot of pains similar to period pains, ?BH and wondered if that had anything to do with the RLT. Hope everyone is well. Thank you x

 

[Love Bunny]

I personally prefer the tea with herbs and things - i find that teas and drops in pure form work better than capsules - if you think about it, which is better for you? Eating an orange or taking the equivilent in tablets? Xx

 

[jenny82]

I think the tea is stronger than the capsules - 650mg v 400mg or something.

Personally I've been drinking the tea, as I looove the taste of it and it doesn't affect my heartburn. I haven't noticed it staining my teeth, but I wasn't particularly looking - now I'm worried!!

 

[KaeRit21]

im taking the capsules as i cant drink teas of any kind, hate the taste, but the woman in holland and barrett recommended the caps so i personally dont know...i know the tea is stronger tho

xxx

 

[purple_jan]

I am due to buy some of this tea - but what are the benefits??

 

[Eternal]

my tablets you can just open and use that to make a tea :S I dont particulary like drinking herbal teas so just stuck with the tablets, plus the fact you can take up to 6 in a day then i dont suppose it matters which that much.

I intend to take them with me in labour as the are good in labour and after to speed in delivery of placenta and reduce delivery, at which point i will take as a drink as its probably quickler release.

I would just use whatever suits you best, if your happy drinking the tea then i would probably carry on like that!

 

[caz81]

im going to be drinking the tea, but then i quite like herbal teas so hoping it wont be too bad

 

[lou_w34]

Ohhhh sorry to butt in! lol
But i just brought some today... and i hope it tastes nice lol

Its reccomended that its taken, at the earliest 36 weeks, isnt it??

 

[Eternal]

32 weeks is the general rule, start buy just taking 1 cup a day and build up!

 

[wannabewillow]

Jenny82, don't fret about the staining if it hasn't happened so far. I have rubbish teeth which stain no matter what, sorry if I panicked you. I think I''m going to continue with the tea. I do enjoy drinking it and it doesn't affect my heart burn. Purple_jan, RLT is a uterine tonic. It's supposed to help produce effective uterine contractions in labour so that baby is born and placenta is delivered with minimal intervention/help. It doesn't actually cause labour, but shouldn't be taken before 33 weeks apparently. Thank you to all answering this post x

 

[MummyToAmberx]

I drank tea with the first, tea with this 1. Just find it better.

Yeah RLT tones the uterus so can bring on practise BH's

 

[snagglepat]

What they said. Raspberry leaf is a uterine tonic. Like any other tonic it supports optimum function so it's great to be taking (in whatever form suits you best) throughout pregnancy. I drank a number of herbal teas when I was pregnant and I used different combinations at different times depending on what stage I was at and what symptoms I was experiencing, but all of them had raspberry leaf in them, so I started drinking it at about 4 weeks pregnant.

It's good stuff but it won't bring on labour or do anything other than quietly support you in the background.

Gina. x

 

[hondagirl]

Im using the capsules as i cant stand any sort of herbal tea, i dont think it makes a huge difference to be honest, they both work in the same way and its a good thing to take from 32 weeks onwards.
x

 

[New2Bumps]

I was told to start taking it at 36 weeks and have the tablets from www.birthease.co.uk - they recommend starting with (I think) 1 a day at 36 weeks then building up.
I also hate fruit teas so this is why I'll be taking the tablets.

 

[New2Bumps]

... so is general opinion then that I could start taking a tablet a day now? Don't want to encourage a premmie

 

[loopdido]

I mentioned to the mw today doing my traces at the hospital that i'd had pink mucousy discharge a few days ago - she said 'you haven't been taking rlt have you?' i said no but was thinking about it - she said 'don't'!

 

[apple84]

Ok I actually tested this out by brewing the RRL tea for 10 min and comparing that to a RRL capsule that I opened and brewed in hot water and strained before drinking. They tasted very similar - neither one stronger than the other, so I'd say they're both equal.

The only difference I can think of is that maybe the RRL used in the tea could be higher quality?? But that could vary depending on what brand of tea or capsules you have anyways.

 

[Mum2#1]

I am 32 weeks tomorrow & will start taking the capsules then...
Should I get the tea to drink during labour & after labour?
For how long after bubs has arrived should I continue drinking the tea?

 

[jenny82]

I didn't drink the tea after LO was born. I didn't know I was supposed to! Silly really as I loved the taste of the tea

 

[rachael872211]

I done 1 cup a day from 32 weeks, 2 cups @ 34 weeks, 3 cups now at 36 weeks and 4 cups at 38 weeks.

At first I didnt really like it, but now I enjoy it and will carry on taking it after birth to help with uterus. x