ACCORDING to legend, raspberries were originally white. The nymph Ida pricked her finger while picking berries for the infant Jupiter, and the fruit has been tinged red with her blood ever since - hence its botanical name, Rubus idaeus (rubus meaning 'red' and idaeus means 'belonging to Ida'). These days you can get golden, black and purple varieties.
Many of the raspberry's medicinal properties are associated with birth. For centuries, women have made a tea from the plant's leaves to increase breast milk, regulate contractions and relax the uterus during labour. Only drink it in the last two months of pregnancy.
A cupful of raspberries provides 40% of your daily vitamin C. ACCORDING to legend, raspberries were originally white.
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