[Herbalist] Re: Raspberry Leaf Bad?

[Tara Sersen Boroson]

Here's some info on Red Raspberry leaf from the Bionutritional
Encyclopedia.  The only Benefit associated with it is:

  Red raspberry leaf tea may help promote relaxing the smooth muscles of
the uterus.
2 articles applied to this statement: 0 pro citations, 2 con citations,
0 inconclusive citations.
... And it's listed as "No Science" supporting it.

They also have the precaution:
       Since some of the constituents in red raspberry may have an
effect on uterine muscles, and since there have been no safety studies,
it is advisable to avoid this substance, especially during pregnancy.
Tyler VE. Herbs of choice. The therapeutic use of phytochemicals. New
York: Haworth, 1994.

Here's another option:

 > Chaste Tree Berry       At certain doses, may play a role in
regulating menstruation.
72 articles about Chaste Tree Berry reviewed by BioValidity, 9 applied
to this statement: 8 pro, 1 con, 0 inconclusive.

It looks like the dosage used in one of the trials was 20 mg.  The
summary doesn't say how often.  If you want to look up the article, it's:
  Milewicz A, Gejdel E, Sworen H, Sienkiewicz K, Jedrzejak J, Teucher T,
Schmitz H. Vitex agnus-castus  extract in the treatment of luteal phase
defects due to latent hyperprolactinemia. Results of a randomized
placebo-controlled trial. Arzneimittel-Forschung 1993; 43: 752-6.

-Magdalena