Raspberry Products
Although Raspberry is very popular all over the world as one of our favourite fruits and flavours, scientists are not entirely sure where Raspberry originates. The Rubus idaeus plant grows as a native species on nearly every continent making its origins hard to track. One thing is clear; this plant has been used almost universally as a tonic that is fantastic for women. Indigo Herbs has two great raspberry products that can be utilised as a tonic; Raspberry Leaf Tea and Raspberry Tincture. Within our guest brands you can choose from Raspberry Leaf Capsules and a range of delicious herbal teabags.
Raspberry is one of the world’s most popular berries with the first Raspberry plants being cultivated in Europe 2,000 years ago from wild species. It was probably the Romans that first popularised its use by spreading the fruit during their conquest of Europe. In written texts the first mention of Raspberry comes from the Roman writer Palladio in his ‘Opus Agriculturae’. Here it is described for its taste and medicinal properties as well as for its hardiness being able to withstand harsh wintery conditions. During the middle ages in England the roots of the Raspberry were boiled up and eaten much like turnips are today. It wasn’t just in Europe that Raspberry was being utilised as a food and medicine; in North America, China and India the plant is well known for its traditional medicinal abilities for all kinds of bodily complaints.
The Raspberry generally comes in two varieties; the red and black. Both have perennial root systems but biennial stems which means that they grow each year from the root. Leaves are rough and have a fine film of fur. This trait carries on the stem (or cane) and produces thorns much like a rose. Commercial Raspberry canes can reach heights of 2 meters and can keep producing fruit for up to 20 years. The flowers are usually pink and result in red fruit that are sweet, tangy and seeded.
