Evening Primrose And Raspberry Tea: Are They Safe For Labor?

Before inducing labor with herbal ingredients, learn if it causes adverse reactions.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos, MD Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-BanosMD Follow MomJunction on InstagramFollow MomJunction on Instagram Expertise: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Children and Adolescent GynecologyExperience: 11 years
Written by , B.Tech Ria Saha B.Tech Follow MomJunction on LinkedinMomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Instagram Expertise: Pregnancy and Baby FoodExperience: 9 years
Edited by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Expertise: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , MSc Lorraine Teron MSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Expertise: Health & WellnessExperience: 2 years
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A pregnant woman holds her womb

Image: Shutterstock

As your due date approaches, you may receive various suggestions to induce labor with natural home remedies. The use of primrose and raspberry tea to induce labor are two such popular methods. These plants have medicinal value and can be consumed directly or in capsule form as you enter your third trimester. However, only do so after consulting your healthcare provider. Additionally, massaging with primrose oil or drinking raspberry tea may induce labor. They have been known to soften the contractions, thus helping to ease you into labor. Go through this post to understand the role of primrose and raspberry tea in inducing labor and their possible side effects.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • Inducing labor and treating eczema and breast pain are among the uses of primrose oil.
  • Raspberry leaf tea strengthens uterine muscles, balances hormones, increases uterine contractions, and shortens labor.
  • Diarrhea, nausea, and headaches are some of the side effects of primrose oil and raspberry tea.
  • Natural ingredients such as spicy food, castor oil, pineapple, and eggplant can also induce labor.

Is Evening Primrose Oil Safe To Induce Labor?

Evening primrose oil comes from the steam distillation of the seeds of the evening primrose plant.
Image: Shutterstock

Evening primrose oil (EPO) is a beneficial herbal oil. Evening primrose oil comes from the steam distillationiA separation process in which dry steam is passed through temperature-sensitive products to purify them. of the seeds of the evening primrose plant. The herbal oil has several curative properties, such as (1):

  • Reduces symptoms of hormonal issues, such as breast pain.
  • Used for the treatment of allergic skin diseases, like eczema.
  • Helps manage gestational diabetes
  • It may have potential benefits in cancer treatment
  • Supports kidney function in certain medical conditions.

Additionally, some also recommend EPO to help prepare or ripen the cervix for labor. But, its efficacy and safety in inducing labor remain inconclusive. Some studies suggest potential benefits, particularly with vaginal administration, while others show no significant effects or highlight possible risks (2). Pregnant individuals considering EPO for labor induction should consult with their healthcare provider to weigh the potential benefits and risks.

How To Use Evening Primrose Oil To Induce Labor?

During the last phase of pregnancy, many moms use evening primrose oil for cervical dilationiThe softening and opening of the cervix that begins at the start of labor. . It is one of the natural remedies for labor induction in pregnant women. Applying the herbal oil softens the cervix, and the contractions that occur as the labor progresses. Moreover, cervical ripening helps ease the delivery process. Studies have also shown evening primrose oil capsules to be superior to misoprostol, a pharmacological dilator, for cervical dilatation (3).

Recommended Dosage Of Primrose Oil To Induce Labor

There is no standardized dosage for EPO in pregnancy, but various practices have been reported:

  • Reaching 34 weeks of pregnancy, take two 500mg capsules of evening primrose oil daily.
  • At 38 weeks, you can increase the dosage to three to four 500mg capsules daily.
  • Massage therapy using evening primrose oil for the perineal massageiA massage of the birth canal tissue to improve its elasticity and avoid tears during childbirth. helps soften the perineumiThe skin between the vagina and the anus in women and the scrotum and the anus in men. skin and prevents the risk of episiotomyiA cut made in the perineum near the vagina during a vaginal delivery. .

According to a study, “Vaginal application of EPO at a single dose of 1000 mg at 41 weeks gestation improved Bishop scoreiA pre-labor scoring system used to assess how ready a woman's cervix is for induction of labor and reduced parturition time in post-term pregnancies (4).”

However, before incorporating this remedy, make sure to consult your doctor to discuss its specific recommendations for your pregnancy. You should also discuss potential side effects, your medications, and your health condition.

Side Effects Of Primrose Oil In Pregnant Women

Upset stomach is one of the side effects of consuming evening primrose oil.
Image: Shutterstock

Some of the side effects of consuming evening primrose oil include (2):

  • Abdominal pain
  • Upset stomach
  • Loose stools or diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Nausea

While these side effects are generally mild, you should still monitor yourself and consult your gynecologist to avoid any unusual symptoms.

protip_icon Things to know
Research suggests that oral administration of evening primrose oil may be associated with oxytocin augmentationiTo quicken the process of labor by administering or generating oxytocin. , prolonged rupture of membranesiA condition in which the amniotic sac ruptures around 18 to 24 hours before the onset of contractions. , vacuum extractioniAn assisted delivery method that uses a vacuum device to facilitate quicker delivery. and arrest of descent (5).

Is Raspberry Leaf Tea Safe To Induce Labor?

The tea originates from red raspberry leaves and has many medicinal effects.

Some of the effective properties of raspberry leaf tea that aid in maternity care include (6) (7):

  • Raspberry leaf tea cures the notion of morning sickness in pregnant women.
  • Help in calming the cramping of the uterus and induce labor naturally.
  • Raspberry leaf is a rich source of iron, calcium, manganese, and magnesium. all being important for maintaining pregnancy health. The magnesium content is essential for strengthening the uterine muscles.
  • Raspberry leaves contain vitamins B1, B3, and E, which are vital for pregnant women.
  • Helps the uterus return to normal size.
  • Balances hormones.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea To Induce Labor

Red raspberry leaf tea increases the uterus contractions and shortens labor duration.
Image: Shutterstock

The key ingredient of the raspberry leaf is an essential alkaloid, fragrine. The alkaloid strengthens the ligaments of the uterus and the muscle fibers in the pelvis. Red raspberry leaf tea increases the uterus contractions and shortens labor duration. The improved efficiency of uterus contracts induces labor and eliminates the risk of excessive labor pain (8).

Recommended Dosage Of Raspberry Leaf Tea To Induce Labor

While scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of red raspberry leaf tea in inducing labor is limited, some midwives and herbalists suggest the following regimen for healthy pregnant women (9):

  • Reaching the late third trimester of pregnancy, healthy pregnant women can drink 1-3 cups of raspberry leaf tea daily. However, take your doctor’s opinion first.
  • If you prefer consuming raspberry leaf tablets, you can take one 500-750mg capsule orally twice daily, beginning at 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Taisha, a mom of two from Tampa, Florida, shares how she used raspberry tea and primrose oil capsules in her pregnancy. She says, “I continued to take my red raspberry leaf tea faithfully, began taking evening primrose oil capsules a week before my due date, and simply tried to relax and enjoy my last few weeks being pregnant. The midwife also suggested that I continue taking the evening primrose oil capsules orally but also add one as a vaginal suppository at night to ripen my cervix (ⅰ).’’

Side Effects Of Raspberry Leaf Tea In Pregnant Women

Nausea is a possible side effect of drinking raspberry leaf tea.
Image: Shutterstock

Most women do not experience any side effects from drinking raspberry leaf tea. However, there are some possible side effects:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can raspberry tea soften my cervix?

Insufficient information is available to confirm whether raspberry leaf tea can soften the cervix. However, it may help strengthen the uterus muscles, enabling a smoother delivery (10).

2. How long does it take for raspberry leaf tea to work?

To gain the benefits of raspberry leaf tea, you should start consuming it at around week 32 of your pregnancy. Do not begin consuming it right before you are due to deliver since your body may react unfavorably by producing extra-strong contractions (10).

3. Can raspberry leaf tea cause Braxton Hicks?

It is unclear whether raspberry leaf tea can cause Braxton HicksiIntermittent, uncomfortable tightening of the abdomen to prepare the uterus for childbirth. contractions. However, if you experience strong Braxton Hicks contractions before or after having raspberry leaf tea, do not continue to drink it (10).

You should check with your healthcare provider before attempting any procedure to induce labor. The same goes with using evening primrose oil and raspberry leaf tea. Regular use of evening primrose oil during pregnancy after the 34th week of gestation is likely to soften the cervix and perineum skin to make childbirth smoother. Raspberry leaf tea may provide various minerals and vitamins, balance hormones, and modulate uterine contractions to reduce the intensity of labor pain. However, these natural substances may have side effects such as stomach disturbances and loose stools. Therefore, it is recommended to seek your doctor’s approval before consuming any such natural substances or herbal teas during pregnancy.

Infographic: Raspberry Leaf Tea In Pregnancy

Raspberry leaf tea is a popular herbal remedy sometimes consumed by pregnant women to prepare for labor. Besides potentially aiding in a smooth delivery process, it is beneficial in coping with specific pregnancy symptoms. However, since herbal tea has yet to be extensively researched for its safety, precautions should be considered. Read this infographic to know all about it.

benefits and precautions of raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Are Raspberry Tea & Evening Primrose Oil Safe To Induce Labor?

Primrose And Raspberry Tea To Induce Labor_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


Learn how Red Raspberry Leaf Tea can help induce labor naturally. Discover the benefits of this herbal remedy.

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. Daniel’s Birth Story.
http://www.diaryofanaturalmom.com/2011_05_01_archive.html

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Haroon Elrasheid Tahir et al; (2022); Chapter 25 – Biological activities of evening primrose oil.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128241356000325
  2. Evening Primrose Oil.
    https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/evening-primrose-oil
  3. Behnaz Nouri et al; (2021); Evening Primrose versus Misoprostol for Cervical Dilatation before Gynecologic Surgeries; a Double–blind Randomized Clinical Trial.
    https://www.jogcr.com/article_697238.html
  4. Afrooz Azad et al; (2022); Evening primrose oil for cervical ripening prior to labor induction in post-term pregnancies: A randomized controlled trial.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876382022000257
  5. D Dove and P Johnson; (1999); Oral evening primrose oil: its effect on length of pregnancy and selected intrapartum outcomes in low-risk nulliparous women
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10380450/
  6. So You Want to Know About… Red Raspberry Leaf Tea.
    https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/so-you-want-to-know-about-red-raspberry-leaf-tea-1
  7. Red Raspberry.
    https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-2154002
  8. M Parsons et al; (1999); Raspberry leaf and its effect on labour: safety and efficacy.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10754818/
  9. Integrative Approaches to Promoting Labor in Pregnancy.
    https://www.fammed.wisc.edu/files/webfm-uploads/documents/outreach/im/handout_promoting_labor.pdf
  10. Can anything bring labour on?
    https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/labour-and-birth-faqs/can-anything-bring-labour
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Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos
Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-BanosMD
Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos is a board-licensed Ob/Gyn in Mexico, specializing in Adolescent Gynecology. She is also trained in Gynecological Endocrinology, granted by AMEGIN (Gynecological Endocrinology Mexican Association).

Read full bio of Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos
Ria Saha
Ria SahaB.Tech
Ria is a techie-turned-writer and writes articles on health, with special emphasis on nutrition. She did her B.Tech from West Bengal University of Technology and was previously associated with IBM as SAP ABAP technical consultant.

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Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

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Lorraine Teron
Lorraine TeronMSc
Lorraine is a postgraduate in Life Science from Mount Carmel College and previously worked as a freelance scientific illustrator. As a project associate and lab technician at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Lorraine received valuable insights into Covid-19, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and neuro-degenerative diseases.

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