American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) is ubiquitous in fields and forest edges. Red fruit are juicy and delicious. It is a “favorite fruit” of the Dena’ina who “pick it in quantity when available.” (Kari 1995) 

White 5-petaled flowers are found on uprights canes. Plant is biennial, and second-year canes produce fruit. Leaves have 3 to 5 leaflets. (Hultén 1968) The fruit is "many tiny drupelets clustered together" which form a "compound fleshy berry" (Viereck 1987) similar to close relatives cloudberry, salmonberry and nagoonberry, all in the genus Rubus. (Kari 1995) These berries are all found in the rose family (Rosaceae), along with apples and cherries.

According to Alaska's Wilderness Medicines, the leaves of red raspberry are widely known as a pleasant tea, but must be completely dried before use. Tea is used for stomach complaints, diarrhea, sore throat, and externally as a wash. The berries contain "vitamins A, B1, B2, calcium, phosphorus, and iron" and leaves contain "citrate of iron" and tannins, which have an astringent action. (Viereck 1987) It’s a “good bedtime beverage” and is “gently sedative.” It’s advised for children with upset stomach. It’s used externally as a skin wash, and gargle for sore throat. (Schofield 1998) 

Across various medicinal traditions, red raspberry tea is used for pregnancy and general health of the reproductive system. Raspberry leaves contain fragrine, “a substance that tones the reproductive organs.” Raspberry leaf tea is used for morning sickness. It is used during labor to facilitate birth. After delivery, it is drunk to “reduce swelling and bleeding.” (Schofield 1998)

References

Hultén, Eric. Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Territories: A Manual of the Vascular Plants, 1968.

Kari, Priscilla Russell. Tanaina Plantlore Dena’ina K’et’una: An Ethnobotany of the Dena’ina Indians of Southcentral Alaska. Alaska Native Language Center (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Alaska Natural History Association, National Park Service, fourth edition, 1995. 

Russell, Priscilla N. English Bay and Port Graham Alutiiq Plantlore. Pratt Museum (Homer Society of Natural History), Chugach Heritage Foundation, and Alaska Native Plant Society, 1991.

Schofield, Janice J. Discovering Wild Plants: Alaska, Western Canada, The Northwest, fourth printing. Anchorage, AK, Alaska Northwest Books, 1998.

Viereck, Eleanor G. Alaska’s Wilderness Medicines: Healthful Plants of the Far North. Alaska Northwest Books, Fifth printing, 1995.

Author

Cecelia N. Dailey, 28 August 2025