A friend told me that once you hit your third trimester you should be eating six dates a day and drinking at least one cup of raspberry leaf tea. They are both supposed to help your pelvis relax for labor. The dates were backed up by our hypnobirthing instructor and the tea is also recommended in Susan Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year.
When I was trying to get pregnant, I drank a ton of both Raspberry and Nettle Leaf tea (also per Susan Weed'd instruction). But once I was actually pregnant - a combination of it being both the summer and the fact that I have pregnancy induced anemia - my major craving has been for ice. I need ice in everything. When I go to restaurants I order ice water with a side of ice. And so the idea of hot tea has been not that appealing. And while I love these slightly bitter teas warm, when iced I want a little sweetness - which brings me to this tonic. Now, I don't really know if this is really a "tonic" per se or more of an arnold palmer made with cider instead of lemonade. But either way, I am drinking at least one a day and have been really enjoying them.
They are quite simple to make. Take three bags of either Raspberry Leaf or Nettle Tea and put in a pitcher with cold water. Let steep for 12-24 hours in the fridge. Fill a cup with ice and then fill up 3/4 of the way with the tea. Top with apple cider in the fall or limeade in the summer.
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Yum!
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