Strawberries

Fragaria vesca

Scientific name: Fragaria vesca.
It is a perennial plant whose leaves and flower stalks grow from a basal rosette.
The flower stalks have no leaves and the flowers grow in its apex, of five white petals, five sepals and numerous stamens. The petioles of the leaves are sharp.
Its roots are brownish, from which rise brown stems, at the ends of stems grow the leaves in number of three with serrated edges and prominent veins on the underside.
It has other creeping stems that are growing and rooting over its growth.
The fruit is an eterio, red, sweet, sour and aromatic, a thickening of the floral receptacle whose function is to contain within itself the real fruits of the plant: small dark achenes clustered in number of 150 to 200.
The parts used are the roots, leaves and fruit.
It inhabits the temperate zones of Europe and Asia.

Content and active ingredients

Leaves

Condensed tannins, flavones, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanidin, triterpene alcohol: fraganol, potassium salts.

Roots

Catechic tannins and pyrogallol; triterpene alcohol: fraganol, potassium salts.

Fruits

Abundant lecithin, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), pectin, heteroside, salicylic acid, mucilage.

Properties and medicinal uses of the Strawberry

Due to its content in potassium salts and mucilages it is diuretic and antirheumatic. It´s also hypocholesterolemic , by the large amount of ascorbic acid, lecithin and pectin contained in the fruits.
Is has anti inflammatory and astringent benefits. The fruits are mineralizing due to its content in Vitamin C, plus anti-anemic and restorative benefits. The fruits are very appropriate at the time of child growth.
The leaves crushed and applied to the skin are a good way to prevent wrinkles.
The decoctions of the leaves and roots are indicated in diarrhea, enterocolitis.
It´s also indicated when is required an increased of diuresis such as urolithiasis, hyperuricemia and cystitis; gout processes and blood pressure.
In topical use: wounds and skin ulcers, mouth, conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, ecsemas, pruritus.
The fruits are applied to strengthen the capillaries in the varicose veins and hemorrhoids processes.

Warnings. Contraindications

Strawberries are one of the “Dirty Dozen” – foods that if commercially grown are high in pesticides, so it is VITALLY IMPORTANT to purchase ONLY organically grown fruit and/or plants
The tannins can irritate the gastric mucosa thus it must be associated with other plants with mucilage.
In hypersensitive individuals the glycoproteins of fruits can cause allergies.

Preparation and dosage

Three to four cups of infusion of leaves and roots help against uric acid, gout and arthritis.
Decoction of roots or rhizomes: add 20 grams to a liter of water and boil for half an hour.
Plant powder: for a diuretic effect, up to six grams a day of powder of the crushed plant.
The infusion of the leaves is beneficial for inflammatory bowel disease. The decoction of the roots helps reduce arthritic inflammation.
Drinking three to four cups of the leaves infusion is useful for diarrhea.
Infusions of dry leaves are very astringent and can be used to cure mouth sores.