Raspberry, an edible fruit from the Rubus genus, is known to posses many health benefits, it is a powerful antioxidant properties, has anti-proliferative activity against cancer in vitro [1], increases fertility, suppress induced hepatic lesions (in rats), reduces weight via raspberry leaf ketones, helps pregnant women during labor, this last due to certain uterine relaxant effects [5,38,39], and some of its phytochemicals are even used as the source of aromatic compounds used by the industry in many commercial products...etc., but what scientific and medical evidence is behind all these claimed benefits?

In this article we try to document the evidence behind the claimed properties of raspberry tea and raspberry leaf.

RUBUS IDAEUS

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rubus
Common name: Red raspberry

Wogonin is a naturally occurring Flavone, but not the only one, Apigenin, Luteolin, Tangeritin, chrysin, baicalein and scutellarein are also natural Flavones [1].

Flavones are not as widespread as Flavonols, they can be found in some herbs and plants but their amounts and occurrence is far from being close to that of Flavonols. We can find Flavones in the leaves of Carya cathayensis and also in Scutellaria baicalensis, where Wogonin is also present.

Flavones have also been subject of many studies and clinical trials for their capability to exert certain anti-tumor properties, something which in the case of Wogonin deserves special attention. But do you want to know what makes Wogonin so special?

SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS

Family: Laminaceae
Genus: Scutellaria
Common name: Baikal skullcap