# Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus) **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/raspberry-leaf **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-19 **Evidence Score:** 6 / 10 **Category:** European **Also Known As:** Rubus idaeus, Red raspberry leaf, European raspberry, Garden raspberry leaf, Framboise leaf, Hindberry leaf, Raspberry foliage ## Overview Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) contains high concentrations of polyphenolic compounds including ellagic acid and sanguiin H-6 that demonstrate [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) in laboratory studies. The antioxidant effects correlate specifically with catechin content in shoot extracts. ## Health Benefits • [Antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) correlated with catechin content in shoot extracts (preliminary in vitro evidence only) • No human clinical trials available to document specific health benefits • Chemical analysis shows high polyphenol content including ellagic acid (155-394 mg/100g) and sanguiin H-6 (139-633 mg/100g) • Traditional use suggested but not documented in available research • Further clinical research needed to establish therapeutic benefits ## Mechanism of Action Raspberry leaf's antioxidant activity stems from its polyphenolic compounds, particularly ellagic acid (155-394 mg/100g) and sanguiin H-6 (139-630 mg/100g), which neutralize [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant). The catechins in shoot extracts demonstrate free radical scavenging capacity in vitro through electron donation mechanisms. These compounds may also modulate [inflammatory pathway](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s, though specific receptor interactions require further investigation. ## Clinical Summary Currently, no human clinical trials have documented specific health benefits of raspberry leaf supplementation. Available research consists only of preliminary in vitro studies examining [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) capacity of plant extracts. Chemical analysis confirms significant polyphenol content, but translation to human health outcomes remains unestablished. More rigorous clinical research with standardized extracts and defined endpoints is needed to validate traditional uses. ## Nutritional Profile **Macronutrients (per 100g dried leaf, approximate):** Protein: 6–10 g; Fat: 1–3 g; Carbohydrates (including dietary fiber): 40–55 g; Dietary fiber: 15–25 g. **Key Minerals:** Manganese: 5–10 mg (high relative to many herbal teas); Iron: 3–7 mg; Calcium: 200–400 mg; Magnesium: 50–120 mg; Potassium: 500–900 mg; Phosphorus: 40–80 mg; Zinc: 1–3 mg. **Vitamins:** Vitamin C: 10–30 mg (fresh leaf; degrades significantly upon drying); traces of B-complex vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6) and vitamin E (tocopherols). **Bioactive Polyphenolic Compounds:** Ellagitannins — Sanguiin H-6: 139–633 mg/100g (dominant ellagitannin, primary contributor to [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) capacity); Lambertianin C: present in significant but variable amounts. Ellagic acid (free and bound): 155–394 mg/100g. Flavonoids — Catechins (particularly (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin): detected in shoot extracts, concentrations variable; Quercetin glycosides (quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside): 10–50 mg/100g; Kaempferol glycosides: present in lower concentrations. Hydroxycinnamic acids — Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid derivatives: 5–30 mg/100g. Gallotannins: minor amounts detected. **Other Compounds:** Fragarine (an alkaloid-like smooth muscle active compound, specific to Rubus idaeus leaves; concentration not precisely quantified in literature but traditionally considered pharmacologically relevant). Organic acids including citric and malic acid in trace amounts. **Bioavailability Notes:** Ellagitannins such as sanguiin H-6 are poorly absorbed intact in the upper GI tract; they are hydrolyzed to ellagic acid, which is further metabolized by gut microbiota to urolithins (urolithin A, B, C, D) — the actual bioactive metabolites with demonstrated systemic bioavailability. Urolithin production is highly individual ('metabotype'-dependent). Free ellagic acid itself has low oral bioavailability (~<1% in animal models) due to poor solubility and rapid conjugation. Catechins and quercetin glycosides have moderate bioavailability (10–30% depending on glycoside form); glucuronide conjugates of quercetin are relatively well absorbed. Mineral bioavailability (especially calcium and iron) may be reduced by the high tannin content, which chelates divalent cations. Preparation as an infusion (tea) extracts primarily water-soluble polyphenols, with estimated extraction efficiency of 30–60% for total phenolics depending on steeping time and temperature. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges are available as human trials are absent. Chemical analyses report polyphenol concentrations in extracts (ellagic acid up to 394 mg/100g in brewed leaf tea after 20 min; sanguiin H-6 139-633 mg/100g in shoots), but no standardization or dosing for therapeutic use is specified. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Raspberry leaf is generally recognized as safe when consumed as food or tea in typical amounts. Pregnant women should consult healthcare providers before use, as traditional claims about uterine effects lack clinical validation. No specific drug interactions have been documented in clinical literature. Individuals with plant allergies should exercise caution, and standardized extract dosing guidelines have not been established through clinical trials. ## Scientific Research The research dossier explicitly states that search results lack human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses on raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus), with no PubMed PMIDs for such studies provided. Available data focus only on chemical composition and in vitro [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) correlated with catechin content in shoot extracts. ## Historical & Cultural Context The research dossier does not describe historical or traditional uses of raspberry leaf in any medicinal systems. While the plant is native to Europe, North America, and Asia, specific cultural or traditional applications are not documented in the provided results. ## Synergistic Combinations Green tea, grape seed extract, pomegranate, quercetin, resveratrol ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What compounds make raspberry leaf beneficial? Raspberry leaf contains ellagic acid (155-394 mg per 100g) and sanguiin H-6 (139-630 mg per 100g), along with catechins that demonstrate antioxidant activity. These polyphenolic compounds are responsible for the plant's potential health effects, though human studies are lacking. ### Is raspberry leaf safe during pregnancy? While raspberry leaf tea is traditionally used during pregnancy, no clinical trials have validated its safety or efficacy. Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before use, as the effects on uterine activity and pregnancy outcomes remain scientifically unproven. ### How much raspberry leaf should I take daily? No standardized dosing recommendations exist for raspberry leaf supplements due to lack of clinical trials. Traditional use typically involves 1-2 cups of tea daily made from 2-4 grams of dried leaves, but optimal therapeutic doses have not been established through research. ### Does raspberry leaf have proven health benefits? Currently, no human clinical trials have documented specific health benefits of raspberry leaf. While in vitro studies show antioxidant activity correlated with catechin content, these laboratory findings have not been validated in human subjects through controlled clinical research. ### Can raspberry leaf interact with medications? No specific drug interactions with raspberry leaf have been documented in clinical literature. However, due to limited research on its pharmacological effects, individuals taking medications should consult healthcare providers before using raspberry leaf supplements, especially in concentrated extract forms. ### What is the difference between raspberry leaf tea and raspberry leaf extract supplements? Raspberry leaf tea is a brewed infusion of dried leaves, while extracts are concentrated forms that isolate specific compounds like polyphenols and ellagic acid. Extracts typically deliver higher concentrations of bioactive compounds per serving compared to tea, though the exact bioavailability difference has not been extensively studied in humans. The choice between forms may depend on personal preference, convenience, and tolerance, as both contain similar polyphenol profiles based on chemical analysis. ### Are there natural food sources of the same compounds found in raspberry leaf supplements? Yes, raspberries themselves and other berries contain ellagic acid and polyphenols similar to those in raspberry leaf, though typically in lower concentrations than dried leaf material. Red raspberry fruit, blackberries, strawberries, and pomegranates are dietary sources of ellagic acid and other polyphenols. However, consuming whole berries would provide a different nutrient profile than concentrated raspberry leaf supplements, which are enriched in leaf-specific compounds like sanguiin H-6. ### What does current research quality tell us about raspberry leaf's effectiveness for health claims? Current evidence is limited to preliminary in vitro (test tube) studies showing antioxidant activity, with no published human clinical trials available to confirm health benefits in real-world use. While traditional use of raspberry leaf is documented across cultures, this traditional knowledge has not been validated by modern clinical research standards. Any health claims about raspberry leaf remain theoretical based on its chemical composition, and consumers should be aware that efficacy in humans remains unproven. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*