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Wild Raspberry
Rubus Rosifolius
aka: Mauritius raspberry, roseleaf raspberry, thimbleberry
Family: ROSACEAE
This "weed" grows profusely on our land and we have heard tales of it "taking over" underutilised pasture very rapidly. The plant is listed by PIER (Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk) as a plant species which is “threatening Pacific island ecosystems”.
However our experience is that after about 5 years in an area the plants seem to have accomplished what they came to do and they become sparse and weak, making way for other species to flourish.
We enjoy early mornings gathering their wild fruit for breakfast. What a delight to enjoy these natural abundant nutritional gifts from Nature. | Wild Raspberry, Mauritius raspberry, or thimbleberry at Middle Path |
A great help with childbirth
A friend came to our place 2 days before her baby was due and we made her up 2 large bottles of tea made from the leaves and she drank the tea often before and during her labour. With her first child she had a 16 hour labour and lots of pain during the delivery, with this one she had an hour and a half labour and experienced a drug-free labour and relatively pain-free delivery.
Red Raspberry is well known for making birthing easier and safer. It strengthens the uterus and entire reproductive system therefore it is great to take throughout the entire pregnancy.
and with cancer too!
The University of the West Indies Department of Chemistry in Jamaica carried out research
[1] confirming that the Ursolic Acid in the fruit of the Red Raspberry (Rubus rosifolius) displayed inhibition of cancer cells in breast, lung and colon tumours and was also tested for anti-inflamatory activity.
Red Raspberry fruit is the very best source of ellagic acid
[2] a phenolic compound known for its very potent anticarcinogenic and anti-mutagenic properties tested on cervical cancer, skin cancer, liver, lung and esophygus cancer with great results.
Wild Raspberry - a great help with childbirth
and now found to be excellent for cancers |
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The red raspberry leaf also contains many essential minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, and an easily assimilated form of calcium. An increased availability of calcium is necessary in controlling nerve response to pain during childbirth and in aiding bone development in the fetus. It also contains fragrine, an alkaloid which helps tone the muscles of the pelvic region including the uterus.
A study
[3] at Clemson University (CU) in South Carolina found that raspberries are a powerful weapon against cancer. Researchers said in tests, raspberry extracts successfully destroyed about 90 percent of stomach, colon, and breast cancer cells.
Raspberries are rich in powerful antioxidants, which are known to be powerful cancer fighters. But the research team from the CU Department of Nursing believe that some other substance in raspberries is also responsible for their anti-cancer effect.
In their study
[3] they found the extract of Red Raspberries to be 8 times more effective than Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) solution with more antioxidants, clearly indicating that some other substance is responsible for the destruction of cancer cells. Looks like the Ellagic acid and Ursolic acid may be the contributors.
Ursolic Acid in the fruit of the Red Raspberry (Rubus rosifolius) displayed inhibition of cancer cells in breast, lung and colon tumours
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Wild Raspberry is well known to be useful for
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- Easing Childbirth
- Painful Menstruation
- Diarrhea
- Flu
- Morning Sickness
- As an anti-inflamatory
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Taken as a tea dried or fresh. The fruit is a rich source of Vitamin C.
Other names for Wild Raspberry Rubus Rosifolius
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- Mauritius raspberry
- Roseleaf raspberry
- Thimbleberry
- Roseleaf Bramble
- West Indian raspberry
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Our Wild Raspberry is clearly related to the better-known and sweeter raspberry (Rubus idaeus) which can be found in season in fruiterers.
Rubus idaeus L ROSACEA
Raspberry
Like so many wild fruits the Raspberry has been known and used since pre-history in Europe, fragments of the berry being found in archaeological excavations of Swiss villages. Cultivation began in the Middle Ages, and the many European raspberry cultivars are all developed from this wild species. Prior to 1866 (at which time over 4I varieties were known in the United States of America) all American types were also from R. idaeus. They are now also developed from R. ulmifolius Schott, R. ursinus Cham and Schlechtend, R, occidentalis L. Rubus is from the Latin for red, and idaeus means 'of Mount lea', after its abundance on Mount lda.
Description Upright or bent perennial 90-I50 cm tall, with varying degrees of prickles or sometimes entirely lacking them. Leaves: glabrous above, grey tomentose beneath, comprising 3 or 5 ovate leaflets. Flowers small, 1 -6 in drooping panicles in terminal axils, appearing early to mid-summer, followed by aromatic fleshy cone-shaped red to yellow fruit.
Distribution Eurasian native, introduced and widespread. In woodland clearings and edges, especially deciduous woodlands. On light soil, moist and rich in nutrients, to 2000 m in altitude.
Cultivation Wild. Numerous cultivars propagated by suckers or root cuttings. Canes should be removed after fruiting to allow new ones (primocanes) to develop. Tolerates most soils.
Constituents (leaves) Fragarine and other substances, acting in isolation as both uterine muscle stimulants and relaxants. (fruit) Citric acid; vitamin C; pectin.
Uses (fresh or dried leaves, fruit) Astringent; oxytocie; nutritive; laxative. The leaf is of proven value during confinement, if taken regularly and in small doses as an infusion - it eases and speeds parturition. In larger doses the leaf is of benefit in painful menstruation and also in diarrhoea. In large amounts the fruit is mildly laxative. The fruit was formerly employed in a variety of pharmaceutical and herbal products as a flavouring and colouring. Edible fruit is of economic importance.
Used in wines, liqueurs, vinegars, syrups, and for other confectionery, culinary and some cosmetic purposes. |
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