Wild strawberries: description, cultivation, collection and storage

Description

The places where strawberries (Fragaria vesca) grow are not limited to forests. It is found in sunny pastures, along forest roads, and meadows. Its relative is a similar tasty berry - strawberry (Fragaria viridis).

This forest natural delicacy blooms and bears fruit from May to September. The plant prefers dense, slightly moist soil and brighter places.

This is a perennial plant with a branched root from which leaves grow. Flower stems grow from the leaves, ending in a green inflorescence. The flowers have 5 petals and are white. The fruit is a red berry, reaching a length of up to 2 cm, easily separated from the calyx.

Collection and drying

Ripe berries, leaves, roots are collected. Fruit picking is best done in the morning or early evening. They are best consumed fresh, but can be prepared in the form of compotes, marmalades, syrups, frozen, or dried.

It's not just vitamins

In folk medicine, red berries are valued for their content of many important vitamins. Strawberries contain vitamin C in maximum concentration, a powerful antioxidant and immune stimulant. The vitamin C content in fruits is comparable to citrus fruits.

Noteworthy is the presence of folic acid and β-carotene, the basis for the synthesis of vitamin A, another antioxidant that protects vision, ensures healthy skin color, and promotes the regeneration of mucous membranes. To a lesser extent, the natural delicacy includes some B vitamins and vitamin E.

Among the microelements, the gift of nature contains manganese, an element necessary for hematopoiesis, healthy tissue, nutrition of the brain and nerves, for the beauty and health of skin and hair, stimulation and support of sexual activity.

Strawberries also contain fluorine, phosphorus, and calcium. Another beneficial mineral is potassium, which helps remove water from the body, prevents excess water retention in the body (edema), and stimulates detoxification.

Potassium regulates blood pressure, and increased intake is recommended to reduce hypertension.

However, the largest representative of the vitamin series in the fruit is vitamin C. 100 g of wild berries per day covers up to 125% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C for an adult. Nutritional value (100 g):

kJ – 124,
kcal – 32,
proteins – 0.7 g,
carbohydrates – 7.5 g,
fats – 0.3 g,
fiber – 2 g,
calcium – 16 mg,
glycemic index – 70.

Vitamins and minerals (100 g):

vitamin C – 79 mg,
vitamin E – 0.3 mg,
vitamin B6 – 0.1 mg,
potassium – 150 mg,
magnesium – 14 mg,
sodium – 1 mg,
iron – 0.4 mg,
phosphorus – 25 mg,
manganese – 0.39 mg,
copper – 0.05 mg.

Useful properties of strawberries

Strawberries are not only a delicious and beloved delicacy by many, but also a real storehouse of valuable microelements and vitamins; it is not without reason that they have been used in dietetics and medicine for a long time. Strawberries contain large quantities of vitamins B, C, A, PP and E; the fruits are rich in pectin, fiber, as well as carotene and folic acid. The mineral composition of strawberries is also unique: they contain fluorine and iodine, phosphorus and sodium, iron and calcium, manganese and cobalt. Strawberry leaves are rich in tannins and contain natural essential oils, mineral salts and natural flavonoids.

The benefits of strawberries are not exaggerated. Such a multifaceted chemical composition of strawberries makes it possible to use its fruits and decoctions from the leaves for the prevention and treatment of many diseases and pathologies:

for diabetes and mild anemia:
with high blood pressure and for the prevention of atherosclerosis;
as a diuretic for problems with the kidneys and gall bladder;
for the prevention of cancer;
to remove toxins from the body;
for sleep disorders and problems with the nervous system;
for the treatment of colds, pharyngitis and sore throats;
with dysbacteriosis or constipation;
as an antiseptic for skin diseases and stomatitis;
as a vitamin remedy for loss of strength.

Strawberries are eaten not only fresh. These aromatic berries are used to make compotes, fragrant jams and preserves, they are dried and frozen, they are prepared into marshmallows, candied fruits and marmalade, and used in home winemaking.

Diseases and disorders for which the plant will help

What are the health benefits of wild strawberries? Why is she so valuable? The main healing properties of the berry are represented by the following effects:

Improving short-term memory (antioxidants).
Dilation of blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.
Reducing the manifestations of rheumatism, gout, arthritis, atherosclerosis.
Elimination of digestive disorders, flatulence, degradation of harmful substances in the intestines, elimination of diarrhea.
Regulation of bile formation.
Diuretic action.
Limiting the formation of kidney, gallstones, and urinary stones.
Disinfection of wounds, abrasions, treatment of eczema, hemorrhoids (compresses).
Treatment of migraine and headaches of other etiologies.
Treatment of gynecological diseases.
Strengthening the muscles of the cervix.

Traditional medicine recommends the use of strawberries in home cosmetics:

Chemical composition

Wild strawberry is considered a multivitamin in its composition. Since berries and leaves are used as medicines, the chemical composition can be considered separately for each part of the plant.

Berries:

Minerals: magnesium, copper, iron, phosphorus, calcium, cobalt, potassium, manganese, sodium.
Vitamins: groups B (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9), C, E, PP.
Organic acids: malic, ascorbic, quinic, citric, salicylic.
Alimentary fiber.
Pectin.
Fruit sugars: glucose, fructose.

Leaves:

Flavonoids.
Tannins.
Minerals.
Alkaloids.
Vitamins.
Essential oils.
Carotene.
Polysaccharides.

The roots of the plant are also used as medicinal raw materials due to their high tannin content.

Healing properties

In addition to its taste, the fruits of the plant help cope with a number of diseases, thanks to their healing properties:

Eating fresh fruits prevents the development of atherosclerosis and stabilizes blood pressure.
Strawberries are used to treat anemia.
Berries help restore the functioning and endurance of the main human organ – the heart.
The fruits are also used to lower blood sugar levels. For people suffering from diabetes, these berries are a dietary product, an essential complex and slowly absorbed carbohydrate.
Wild strawberries are used as a medicinal product to remove worms and relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Eating fresh berries eliminates bad breath and helps get rid of tartar buildup on your teeth.
Fresh fruits are used as a face mask to rejuvenate the skin, get rid of pigmentation and acne.
Juice from wild strawberries helps normalize intestinal function, the digestion process and helps with constipation. It can also be used in combination to treat inflammation of the biliary tract, gastritis, and colitis.
A decoction of strawberries is a good diuretic. This drink improves kidney function and removes toxic substances, which is especially useful for gout and cystitis.
Fresh fruits increase the body's protective abilities, which is especially good during colds.
For diseases of the oral cavity, as well as pharyngitis, sore throat and other throat diseases, infusion or tea from fresh or dried wild strawberries is recommended.

The leaves and flowers of wild strawberries also have healing properties and are used as infusions and decoctions:

For general health purposes.
For gout, uterine fibroids, metabolic disorders and infectious diseases of the lungs, juice from leaves and flowers is used.
For the treatment of cracks, wounds, various skin diseases.
To relieve constipation and relieve spasms of internal organs, use a decoction of flowers. And also as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic.
As a therapy for diseases of the respiratory system, joints, and neuroses.

Preparation of medicines

You can use the benefits of nature's red gift in several forms. Let's look at a few recipes for preparing medicinal products.

Tea for regular drinking

This tea is suitable for supporters of a healthy lifestyle who prefer everything natural. Add 1 tsp. dried herbs in 250 ml of boiling water. After 15 minutes of infusion, strain. The drink can be sweetened with honey and lemon.

Healing decoction

3 tbsp. fresh or 2 tbsp. dried herbs, pour 1/2 liter of boiling water, heat for 20 minutes in a water bath. Drink the decoction throughout the day.

Blood purification mixture

Mix equal parts of the following herbs:

leaves of strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry,
strawberry root (or 1 more part of leaves).

1 tsp pour 250 ml of boiling water over the mixture and leave for 15 minutes. You can add dried berries. Drink before bed.

Decoction for compresses and rinses

To treat inflamed wounds and bleeding hemorrhoids, prepare a decoction. Pour 250 ml of boiling water over 2 tbsp. greens, cook for 10 minutes, drain.

For compresses, soak a clean cloth in warm liquid, apply to the affected area, and secure with a bandage.
For rinsing, pour the broth into a bowl and rinse the lesion.

Fermented leaf tea

Leave wild strawberry leaves to wither in the shade for 1 day. The next day, wet a towel, place the greens on it, and roll the towel up like a roll. Place in a warm place for 2 days to ferment.

Unwrap, chop, dry again in the shade. Use as you would regular black tea – add 1 tsp. raw materials with a glass of boiling water, leave for 5 minutes under the lid.

Essential oil

Strawberry essential oil is a product that you are unlikely to be able to prepare yourself. Therefore, it is recommended to buy it ready-made. The product is used mainly in cosmetology. Has the following qualities:

Rejuvenation.
Lightening.
Hydration.
Healing.
Strengthening.
Elimination of inflammation.

Wild strawberry essential oil is added to many cosmetic products. In addition to external influences, wild strawberry essential oil has a beneficial effect on the state of mind - calms and relaxes.

Wild strawberry, infusion and decoction of strawberry leaves

There are many other names for this plant - fragrant strawberry, sunberry, berry, polunika, polonitsa, drifting snow, strawberry, dugout, zubrinets, kapshuk, krasnoyagodnik, polunitsa, ramnitsa, sunitsa, yaritsa.

Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is a perennial plant from the Rosaceae family. Stems are erect, covered with hairs. The rhizome is short, brown in color, from which long thin above-ground shoots (whiskers) extend, which take root in places of contact with the soil, forming young bushes. The flowers are white, large, located on long stalks. Strawberries bloom in May-June, and the fruits ripen in June-July.

Strawberries are distributed everywhere, they are often found in sparse pine and birch forests, along forest edges, forest meadows, in clearings, clearings, grassy slopes, among bushes, etc.

The entire plant is used for medicinal purposes: the aerial part, berries and roots. The leaves are harvested in the spring, before flowering. Root - during the dormant period, early spring or late autumn. Berries and whole grass (leaves and stems with berries) - in the first half of summer.

Dry the raw materials under a canopy, spreading them in a thin layer on paper or linen.

The shelf life of grass is 1 year, berries and roots are 2 years.

In folk medicine, wild strawberries are used in the treatment of anemia, as a diaphoretic and diuretic, for liver disease, kidney disease, pulmonary tuberculosis, insomnia, hypertension, to stimulate the heart, improve metabolism, and for asthma. Strawberries are also an excellent additional remedy for the treatment of many diseases; they are often included in medicinal herbal teas.

Wild strawberries are a good cleanser of nitrates in the body; they not only cleanse the blood, but also saturate it with iron and other useful components. The strawberry plant and its fruits can be used both dry and fresh.

Strawberry infusion

Pour 1 teaspoon of chopped strawberry herb into 1 glass of boiling water, leave until cool. Drink instead of tea as a vitamin and preventive remedy. It is especially useful to drink this tea in the morning.

Strawberry leaf decoction

1 heaping tablespoon of crushed leaves, pour 1 glass of water, boil for 15-20 minutes, strain after cooling. Drink the resulting decoction throughout the day in several doses for the above diseases.

A decoction of strawberry roots has a stronger effect. Strawberry root has also long been part of many folk healing ointments.

Infusion of strawberry rhizomes

Pour 1 teaspoon of dry and crushed roots into 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 20-30 minutes. The infusion of wild grass is drunk as a weak and diuretic for rheumatism and other diseases.

Use of strawberries for treatment

An infusion of strawberry roots is used for uterine bleeding, heavy menstruation, uterine fibroids, and leucorrhoea. A decoction of the leaves is a good sedative for neuroses.

A decoction of the roots and leaves is used for skin rashes, bronchitis (as an expectorant and emollient), as well as for gout, sand and stones in the kidneys, bladder, bile ducts and gall bladder.

Externally, this strawberry decoction is used for compresses for weeping and bleeding wounds, for rinsing the mouth, and for bad odor.

Strawberries are best eaten fresh; they are not only tasty and nutritious, but also tonic, and are especially useful for children. Berries can be eaten with cream or milk, adding a little sugar. But, strawberries can cause allergies in some sensitive people.

Helps with anemia, eczema

Wild strawberries are useful for treating anemia and anemia. And also, for problems with blood, it is useful to drink goat’s milk, especially for people of blood groups 3 and 4. Drink 0.5 liters per day for 1 month. Goat milk not only helps with anemia and anemia, but also normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. For people of blood groups 1 and 2, goat's milk is less healthy; it is better for them to drink cow's milk.

When treating eczema, apply compresses to the affected area: grind fresh strawberries, place on a linen napkin and apply to the sore spot. Repeat this procedure every day for a week until the skin is clear of scabs and somewhat dry. Strawberry lotions, as people say, draw out fever and heal.

In cosmetic practice, they use nourishing and cleansing masks made from strawberry berries, strawberry juice, compresses from a water infusion of leaves; they are used to get rid of freckles, age spots, lichens, acne, and some rashes. Strawberry fruits are also used in homeopathy.

strawberries

Strawberry tincture

(for external use)

Pour 1 glass of fresh strawberries with 300 ml of good vodka, leave for 1 month, then strain. Wipe your face instead of using lotion. Before use, dilute with water 1:1.

Strawberry berries are dried as follows: first, they are dried in the sun, and then dried in the oven at a temperature of 45-50 degrees. The berries can be considered dry if they no longer stick to your hands.

Strawberry infusion

Pour 2 tablespoons of dried berries with 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour. Drink 1/2 glass 3-4 times a day before meals as a diuretic, antibactericidal, tonic.

As mentioned above, strawberries cause allergies in some sensitive people. It should also be used with caution by pregnant women and children.

Benefits for women

For women, a positive effect on the urinary system and female genital organs plays an important role. The fruits and leaves have a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect, therefore they are used to treat urinary tract diseases. At the same time, the natural medicine strengthens the muscles of the cervix, making it suitable for the treatment of gynecological diseases.

Infusion for the treatment of urinary tract and gynecological diseases

1 tbsp. Pour a glass of boiling water over chopped roots or leaves. Leave for 5-10 minutes. Drink as needed until the disease (inflammation) is completely cured.

This infusion is also suitable for external use, such as a soothing bath or wound treatment.

Benefits for men

The anti-inflammatory effect of this natural gift is also important for men. This action suggests therapeutic effects on inflammatory prostate diseases. In addition, we are talking about a good aphrodisiac (for both sexes).

You can use any of the above mentioned remedies. A tincture is suitable as a “sexual activator”.

Strawberry tincture

You need:

equal parts sugar and berries,
vodka or alcohol (40%).

Sort the fruits, rinse, dry, and grind with sugar. Place in a glass jar (bottle), fill with vodka or alcohol. Leave to infuse for 1 week. Then strain and pour into clean bottles. Store in the refrigerator.

Wild strawberries in nutrition

Strawberries can be used not only for medicinal purposes, but also as a food product enriched with vitamins. Desserts and tea with strawberry leaves and fruits are incredibly tasty.

Strawberry tea recipe

A teaspoon of leaves is brewed with boiling water (0.5 l) and infused. In 5 minutes you will receive aromatic tea containing antioxidants and vitamins. It is especially recommended to drink the infusion during colds to improve immunity.

Strawberry jam recipe

This will require 1 kg of berries and 300 g of boiling water

The fruits are washed and dried.
The jars are sterilized and filled with berries.
Pour boiling water over the strawberries and cover with lids.
Place the jars in a bowl of water and keep on the fire for 15 minutes, without bringing to a boil (80 degrees).

The resulting jam without sugar is stored in a dark place.

Benefits for pregnant and lactating women

What are the benefits of wild berries for pregnant women? Can I use it while breastfeeding?

The benefit is to provide the body with important substances necessary both during pregnancy and lactation. However, keep in mind that it is advisable for women expecting a child to eat only fruits and greens, due to the activation of the uterine muscles, which can be harmful (cause premature birth and even miscarriage!). During breastfeeding, you can use all parts, but with caution - start with small quantities (doses), following the baby's reaction.

Strengthening the immune system

Strawberry tea is an excellent disinfectant that helps strengthen the body. The drink is suitable for daily consumption as an alternative to black tea. The beneficial liquid dilates blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.

Strawberry root is a remedy against edema and jaundice.

Fresh berries are recommended against sclerosis, high blood pressure, kidney stones, gout, and rheumatism. Many medicinal properties are preserved in the form of jam and juice. By the way, fresh juice is used as a natural lotion to cleanse the skin.

Tea for strengthening the body

Mix in equal parts:

strawberry, raspberry leaves,
St. John's wort,
peppermint,
lemon balm,
oregano,
horsetail,
common agrimony,
common mullein flowers.

1 tsp pour 250 ml of boiling water over the mixture, strain after 15 minutes. A cup of herbal drink, sweetened with honey if desired, will strengthen the body's defenses.

Methods of using strawberries in folk medicine

As we have already seen, wild strawberries are a real folk healer, helping with many diseases. But it cannot be considered a panacea, so treatment should begin after consultation with a doctor and only if there are no contraindications.

Let's consider the most popular folk recipes, the effectiveness of which has been tested by many generations.

For kidney stones

If urate stones are found in the kidneys (they consist of uric acid salts), you can use a herbal mixture that includes the following medicinal plants:

strawberry leaves;
lingonberry leaves;
knotweed grass;
tansy flowers;
parsley root.

20 grams of this collection are poured into 400 ml of boiled water. Let stand for 30 minutes, carefully filter through a double layer of gauze. Take the finished drug in equal portions four times a day 30 minutes before meals.

For severe cough

In case of colds or infections accompanied by a severe cough, strawberry decoction or tea can help. Prepare a healing potion according to one of the recipes described above. Drink 1 tablespoon three times a day until the unpleasant symptoms of a dry cough are completely eliminated and phlegm is removed.

For anemia

Strawberry leaves and berries contain an impressive amount of vitamins (ascorbic acid, A, B), organic acids, iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium salts, and other important elements. All of them are important for anemia, especially if it is caused by blood loss.

An infusion of leaves is prepared according to the recipe described above. The drug is drunk according to the following scheme: 100-200 ml three times a day. Additionally, you can add fresh berries to this medicine to accumulate beneficial effects.

For insomnia

Photo: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/good-night-sleep-fall-asleep-1505195/
To calm the nervous system, relieve anxiety and get rid of insomnia, you can prepare an infusion of strawberry leaves and fireweed herb. To do this, mix the components in equal volumes, pour 10 grams of raw material into 200 ml of boiling water and wait 10 minutes. Drink 2-3 times a day, 1/3 cup.

With reduced immunity

As we know, the plant contains vitamin C in large quantities, which is very important for increasing immunity and enhancing the protective properties of the body. For this purpose, you can drink infusion, decoction or strawberry tea.

Drink ½ glass of this healthy drink twice or thrice a day. To improve the taste and enhance the healing properties, you can add a little honey or mint to the tea. The use of this drug is especially important during the seasonal rise of viral diseases.

For painful and heavy periods

All parts of the plant have a pronounced hemostatic effect. Therefore, drugs based on them are used for too strong and painful menstruation.

Let's look at 2 main recipes.

An infusion of dry leaves is prepared according to the recipe described above. The medicine is taken ½ glass several times a day until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
In this case, fresh chopped leaves are used. 1 cup of plant material is poured with 1000 ml of water and boiled over low heat for 20 minutes. The cooled broth is diluted with boiled water, bringing the volume to 1 liter. Take ½ glass twice or thrice a day.

For heart diseases

The medicine obtained from the flowers of a useful plant improves the condition of the heart and blood vessels. The infusion is prepared as follows: 10 grams of strawberry flowers are poured with a glass of boiled water and infused for 5-7 hours. Drink the drug 2 tbsp. spoons 3 times a day half an hour before meals.

Stomach problems and anemia

Tea of leaves and roots improves metabolism, helps with hemorrhoids, asthma, problems with the stomach, gall bladder, intestines (especially intestinal catarrh associated with diarrhea).

The drink also has a positive effect on people with anemia (due to the large amount of iron it contains) and with severe nervous tension.

Tea for the treatment of intestinal disorders and diarrhea

2 tsp pour 1/4 liter of boiling water over the leaves and leave for 10 minutes. Drink 3 glasses a day.

Useful and medicinal properties of strawberry leaves

The benefits of strawberry leaves are used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of human organs and systems. Preparations made from dried strawberry leaves relieve many ailments:

help relieve stress and have a mild sedative effect;
help expel parasites (some anthelmintic preparations claim to contain strawberry leaves);
heal wounds no worse than plantain, stop bleeding from abrasions and scratches;
acid has a diuretic effect in urolithiasis, arthritis, kidney and bladder diseases;
the decoction improves gastric motility, intestinal motility, and the gastrointestinal tract begins to function normally;
men value it for its high zinc content, which affects the production of testosterone, which supports sexual function;
have a positive effect on women’s health: help get rid of insomnia, tachycardia, irritability during menopause;
Menstruation becomes less profuse, and childbirth proceeds easier if you drink a healing drink made from strawberry leaves.

The benefits of strawberry leaves are explained by their rich chemical composition

As for the functioning of the heart and circulatory system, the supporting power of drugs for these organs has long been noticed. Just as the leaf nourishes and supports the heart-shaped berry, its healing substances can cleanse and tone blood vessels and promote hematopoiesis.