The Fertility & Pregnancy Duo: Raspberries + Raspberry Leaf
+ Raspberry Leaf Chai Tea Recipe
Raspberries 💖 The Tastiest Fertility Food
Raspberries, I can never seem to get enough, there just so juicy, so sweet and oh so zingy! But it’s more than the taste that keeps me going back for more.
Did you know raspberries promote fertility and healthy conception, increase egg and sperm health, and help prevent miscarriage and birth defects?
Take one small handful of these tart treats and your whole body will let you know just how much potency they have. That sour zing has a lot to do with their super high vitamin C content. Vitamin C helps regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation while protecting the health of your eggs. In addition, men who consume more vitamin C have as much as %30 less sperm damage— and this becomes increasingly important with age.
Raspberries are also a great source of folate, a key nutrient for male and female fertility. Folate is an essential nutrient for any woman of child bearing age. Once pregnant every woman is told about the importance of folate for the neurological development of the baby. However, the baby’s brain starts growing a mere 5 weeks after conception. Since many women don’t even know they are pregnant at this point it can be too late to fix a folate deficiency. Even if you are not planning to conceive, if there is any chance you could become pregnant I highly recommend eating plenty folate-rich foods like raspberries.
If there is any chance you may become deficient in sweet and tangy mouth-gasms, I also recommend plenty of raspberries;)
Raspberry Leaf 🌿 Womb Wellness 🌿 Perinatal Support
The berries aren’t the only edible and medicinal part of the raspberry bush: raspberry leaves are often found in herbal teas for women, with good reason. Raspberry leaves are an all-around spectacular women’s herb, especially for menstrual balance and the perinatal period from preconception to postpartum care.
Raspberry leaf is a uterine tonic, meaning it tones the muscles of the uterus and supporting pelvic muscles. If there is tension it will relax the muscles and if there’s laxity it will tone and fortify them. It also has astringent actions that regulate excessive bleeding. Taken together this means raspberry leaf has the ability to:
• Soothe menstrual cramps, excessive menstrual bleeding and endometriosis
• Support progesterone production and balance hormones
• Prepare the body for ovulation (for this purpose some recommend taking 2-3 cups of a strong raspberry leaf tea daily from day 1 of your cycle up to ovulation)
• Increase the chances of conception
• Prepare the uterus to grow a baby and for the intense muscular feat of birth
• Help stimulate and ease labor
• Reduce the chances of miscarriage, or hemorrhaging during birth
• Speed post-partum healing
The tannins in raspberry leaf make it taste a bit like black tea, so it makes a delicious chai. The following chai recipe is not only great for fertility it really helps with digestion as well.
Digestive Chai Tea with Raspberry Leaf
Ingredients:
2 inch knob of fresh ginger
2 sticks of cinnamon
10 cardamom pods
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp cloves
2 tsp licorice root
1 pinch pepper
½ cup Raspberry leaf
Milk, almond milk or coconut milk
Instructions:
1. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil
2. Reduce to a simmer and add all ingredients except the raspberry leaf and milk
3. Allow to simmer gently with the lid on for 25-35 minutes, depending on the strength you prefer
4. Turn off the stove and add raspberry leaf and milk of choice
5. Allow to steep with the stove off for another 10-20 minutes, again play with the timing until you find the strength you like
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Top 3 Indian Towns with Sub-Zero Temperatures: Experiencing the Frozen Extremes
India is a land of contrasts. From tropical beaches to arid deserts, the subcontinent boasts an incredible diversity of climates. While most think of India as a warm, sun-drenched country, it also has regions where winters are harsh, and temperatures plunge well below zero. These towns, located mainly in the Himalayas, challenge the very notion of life in extreme cold. For travelers, adventurers, and researchers, they offer a unique experience—a glimpse into a frozen, high-altitude world where survival is a skill and winter reigns supreme. Here, we explore the top three Indian towns known for sub-zero temperatures. 1. Dras, Ladakh: India’s Coldest Inhabited Town Nestled in the Kargil district of Ladakh, Dras holds the title of the coldest inhabited town in India. Sitting at approximately 3,300 meters above sea level, Dras experiences winter temperatures that often plummet to –30°C or lower, earning it the nickname "The Gateway to Ladakh." The town’s extreme cold results from its high altitude and the valley’s geography, which traps frigid winds. Winter in Dras is not just cold; it is long and harsh. Heavy snowfall can isolate the town for weeks, making access to essential supplies a challenge. Roads often close, and the local population relies heavily on stored provisions and community support. Despite the harsh climate, Dras is rich in culture and history. Its proximity to the Line of Control makes it strategically important for India, and the military presence is significant. Locals have adapted with sturdy stone houses, traditional woolen attire, and high-calorie diets to withstand the biting cold. For visitors, Dras offers breathtaking landscapes of snow-capped peaks and frozen rivers, a rare glimpse into extreme high-altitude life. 2. Leh, Ladakh: The Cold Desert Capital Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is perhaps India’s most famous cold-weather town. At 3,500 meters above sea level, Leh regularly sees winter temperatures fall below –15°C, and nights can be even colder. Despite being a major tourist hub in summer, Leh transforms into a cold desert in winter, where life slows down, and survival becomes the primary focus. Leh’s unique climate—dry, thin air combined with intense cold—creates one of the harshest living environments in the country. Snowfall is lighter than in Dras, but the cold is uncompromising. The frozen Zanskar River becomes the site of the Chadar Trek, an adventure that attracts thrill-seekers worldwide but demands careful preparation against frostbite and hypothermia. Residents of Leh have mastered the art of enduring the cold. Homes are built with thick walls and insulation, heating is often solar-assisted, and winter diets are rich in fats to sustain energy. Leh illustrates human resilience in extreme conditions, combining traditional knowledge with modern adaptations. 3. Keylong, Himachal Pradesh: The Frozen Heart of Lahaul Keylong, located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, is another town where winter is a formidable force. At an altitude of roughly 3,100 meters, Keylong’s temperatures can drop to –10°C to –20°C during the coldest months. Unlike Ladakh, Keylong experiences heavy snowfall, which often blocks roads and isolates the town. Life in Keylong is shaped by the winter’s harshness. Locals store essential supplies months in advance and rely on traditional wooden houses and insulated clothing to survive. The town, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and monasteries, holds cultural and administrative importance in the region. Infrastructure projects such as the Atal Tunnel have improved connectivity during winter, making Keylong more accessible. However, the town remains a challenging environment, reminding visitors of nature’s power and the endurance required to live in high-altitude cold zones. Why These Towns Are Significant These sub-zero towns highlight India’s climatic diversity and showcase human adaptation in extreme conditions. They are living examples of how culture, infrastructure, and survival strategies intertwine to sustain communities in some of the harshest environments on Earth. Furthermore, these regions offer important insights into climate change. Shifts in snowfall, glacier melt, and temperature extremes directly affect local life, agriculture, and water resources. Studying these towns helps scientists understand high-altitude ecosystems and develop strategies to mitigate climate risks. Final Thoughts India’s frozen towns challenge the perception of the country as a land of heat and humidity. Dras, Leh, and Keylong not only experience sub-zero temperatures but also demonstrate resilience, tradition, and adaptation. 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