Raspberries are a fruit.

• botanical information
• part used
• nutritional information
• selection
• magick correspondences and uses
• ancient myths and beliefs
• health care
• Chinese herbology
• external skin care
• cautions and contraindications

botanical information:

    Botanical name: Rubus idaeus or Rubus strigosus

    Common name: Bramble of Mount Ida, raspberry, raspbis hindberry

    Use the botanical name when ordering seeds (bulbs, etc.) or when looking up information in the library. Common names vary by nation, culture, and region, and sometimes the same common name is applied to different plants.

    Danish name: hindebar
    Dutch name: braamboss
    German name: hindbur
    Saxon name: hindbeer

    Family: Rosaceae (rose)

part used:

    Part Used (fruit): Berry.

Part Used (herb): Dried leaf. Raspberry leaves gathered in spring before the plant flowers have the highest antioxidant content. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

nutritional information:

    Raspberry is an herbal tea that helps nourish the kidneys.

    Raspberries are a food that increases sexual energy and enhances fertility.

    See also Chinese herbalism below for Chinese gender and Chinese flavor.

selection:

    Reason to choose organic:
    Raspberries have the number 17 highest pesticide load of 45 common fruits and vegetables studied in 2006 by the Environmental Working Group and is therefore a prime candidate for switching to organic. The EWA explains, “While washing and rinsing fresh produce may reduce levels of some pesticides, it does not eliminate them. Peeling also reduces exposures, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the peel. The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.”
    According to USDA and FDA tests on commercially grown foods collected between 2000 and 2005, raspberry has a 47.9% (percentage) of samples tested with detectable pesticides, a 23.3% (percentage) of samples with two or more pesticides, a 0.9 average number of pesticides found in a sample, an average of 0.906 parts per million of all pesticides found, and 21 different pesticides found in use growing raspberries. These toxic pesticides don’t apply to organic foods.

magickal correspondences and uses:

    Western element: water

    Magickal uses: abundance, happiness, love, protection

    Magickal use of raspberry juice: Use raspberry juice in spells and rituals to protect from and eliminate negative influences and spirits.

    Magick food for love spells: Raspberries are an appropriate food for love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell, Hecate black candle love spell, or Isis Full Moon love spell. See the article on foods for more information on using food magick in spells.

ancient myths and beliefs:

    Religious: Some Jews believe that the burning bush that the Jewish God used to speak to Moses was a raspberry bush.

health care uses:

    Health Notice: Attempting to be an amateur doctor is potentially dangerous to your health. This web page is not professional medical advice. Nothing on this website should be considered as a substitute or replacement for professional medical advice. Persons should seek the advice of qualified health providers. Self-medication should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Please confirm all self-medication with your doctor or health care professional. See the article on healing for recommended healers.

Chinese herbalism:

    Chinese gender: slightly yang (warm)

    Chinese flavor: sweet and sour

external care:

    External skin care: Raspberry extract in Rhonda Allison Raspberry Lotion: “Raspberry Lotion is a natural liquid lotion that freshens and smoothes the skin while balancing oil production. A skin that has oily, acne tendencies will respond best to this solution. Raspberry Lotion helps to control the shiny appearance of the skin due to excess lipids. Reduces shine and controls oil of acne-prone skin. A wonderful natural liquid solution freshens and smoothes oily, blemish-prone skin, while balancing oil production. Helps control that unwanted shine. Antibacterial, sebum-reducing and anti-inflammatory benefits. With shea butter, salicylic acid, aloe vera, and raspberry extract. After cleansing apply to face and neck with cotton pad. Let absorb and emain on the skin. May use throughout the day to reduce shine and control excess oil.” Rhonda Allison Raspberry Lotion

cautions and contraindications:

    Cautions and contraindications: Raspberries is believed to be safe.

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