rubus idaeus

Botanical Name: Rubus idaeus
Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)

What We're Growing:
We grow red raspberry canes for their sweet summer fruit, pollinator-friendly blossoms, and nutrient-rich leaves. Trained along trellises, they offer seasonal abundance while supporting the health of the garden and the body.

How We Use It:
We enjoy raspberries fresh off the cane, turned into a freeze dried powder, folded into yogurt, blended into sauces, or fermented into shrubs and preserves. Just as valuable are the leaves, which we harvest and dry for teas that support hormonal, digestive, and immune health.

Why They’re Good for You:
Raspberries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and ellagic acid — a powerful antioxidant studied for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. They help regulate blood sugar, reduce oxidative stress, and feed the gut microbiome with their natural prebiotic fibers.

Raspberry leaf is one of the most respected herbs in traditional Western herbalism, especially for women’s health. It’s known as a uterine tonic — supporting menstrual comfort, hormonal balance, and smoother labor and postpartum recovery. Its gentle astringency also makes it useful for soothing sore throats, diarrhea, and inflamed tissues.

In the Garden:
Raspberries thrive in rich, well-drained soil with full sun and regular pruning. They’re perennial, but each cane lives for two years — fruiting in its second year before being cut back. Their root systems help stabilize the soil, while their flowers support bees and other pollinators.

Fun Fact:
Raspberry leaf tea has been used for centuries by midwives and herbalists to tone the uterus and prepare the body for childbirth — often called “the woman’s herb” for its gentle but powerful support during all stages of life.