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Survey of Raspberry Leaf Tea in pregnancy
Soheil Farnaghi1, Kathleen Braniff1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mackay Base Hospital, Mackay, Queensland, Australia.
The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
|February 21, 2022
Summary
Despite no scientific evidence, 38% of pregnant women use raspberry leaf tea (RLT). Most surveyed women were aware of RLT and willing to join future trials investigating its benefits.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal Health
- Herbal Medicine Research
Background:
- Raspberry leaf tea (RLT) is a traditional herbal remedy.
- RLT is anecdotally claimed to improve pregnancy outcomes, including labor duration.
- No experimental data currently supports these purported benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of RLT use and awareness among pregnant women.
- To explore women's knowledge regarding RLT's purported benefits.
- To evaluate the feasibility of recruiting participants for a future randomized controlled trial on RLT.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to postnatal women.
- The survey collected data on RLT usage during pregnancy.
- Participants were questioned about their awareness of RLT benefits and willingness to join a future trial.
Main Results:
- 121 women completed the survey.
- 73% were aware of herbal tea use in pregnancy.
- 38% of women reported using RLT during pregnancy.
- 79% expressed willingness to participate in a future RLT trial.
Conclusions:
- A significant percentage of women use RLT during pregnancy despite a lack of scientific evidence.
- Further research is necessary to validate the claimed efficacy of RLT.
- Clinical recommendations regarding RLT should be evidence-based.
