Description

Wild strawberry is a perennial herb with a brown rhizome and creeping rooting shoots. Leaves are compound, triplicate, large-toothed, almost glabrous above, hairy below. The flowers are white, with epicalyx, with numerous stamens and pistils. Fruits are oval, bright crimson, aromatic, with protruding or bent down sepals. Height (length) 10-30 cm.

Green strawberry is a perennial herb with a thick brown rhizome. Leaves are compound, triplicate, blunt-toothed. Apical leaf ovate, on a short petiole, two lateral leaves sessile. The flowers are white, with epicalyx, with numerous stamens and pistils. Strawberries differ from wild strawberries by silvery-downy leaves on both sides, spherical, narrowed at the base, fragrant greenish-white, then reddening fruits and sepals pressed against the fruit. Height (length) 5-20 cm.

The time of flowering. May-June.

Distribution. Wild strawberries are found in the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part and Siberia, the Caucasus and the Tien Shan mountains, green strawberries - in the European part, especially in the forest-steppe and steppe zones.

Habitat. Wild strawberries grow in sparse forests in forest clearings and edges, mainly in coniferous forests, green strawberries - on grassy slopes, gullies, steppe meadows, forest clearings and forest edges.

The part used. Fruits, leaves, flowers, and rhizomes.

The time of collection. Leaves and flowers are collected in may – June, fruits — in June – August, rhizomes-in September – October.

Chemical composition

Strawberries (berries) contain sugars (from 3.5 to 15% in different varieties), organic acids (malic, citric, salicylic, quinic and others), phosphoric and calcareous salts, iron, pectin and tannins, anthocyanin coloring substances, vitamin C (from 31 to 90 mg, for example in the Victoria sort), carotene (0.3 – 0.5 mg), traces of vitamin B1, essential oil and phytoncides. Leaves contain ascorbic acid (250-280 mg), traces of alkaloids and tannins, rhizomes and roots-tannins.

Application

Strawberries were used for medicinal purposes, even in ancient times. It is still one of the most popular plants in folk medicine in various countries. The fruit excites the appetite, regulates digestion and quenches thirst well. Water infusion of fruits weakens inflammatory processes, kills some microbes and has a diaphoretic, diuretic and gentle relaxing effect. It is believed that fruits have the property of dissolving and removing liver and kidney stones and do not allow the formation of new stones.

It is known that the famous Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus was completely cured of gout by eating large quantities of strawberries.

Rhizomes and roots have astringent, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and choleretic properties. Leaves have the same properties. They also have an antiseptic, analgesic and wound healing effect and the property of reducing the release of sweat. Fresh berries are taken in large quantities as an excellent remedy for vascular sclerosis, hypertension, constipation, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, and especially for gout, kidney and liver stones. Fruits and leaf infusion are used for General depression of strength, anemia, uterine bleeding, and children’s diarrhea and as a diuretic. The infusion of leaves is also used for asthma (suffocation) and as a hemostatic agent for excessive menstruation.

In folk medicine of the Karachay-Cherkessia, the infusion of flowers is used for heart diseases, and the decoction of the entire plant is used for uterine fibroma. In German folk medicine, an infusion of leaves is used for diarrhea, liver diseases, spleen, kidney stones, heavy night sweats, asthma, jaundice, edema and rashes.

Externally, the infusion of leaves in the form of enemas and washings is used for bleeding and inflamed hemorrhoids, and in the form of local baths, lotions and compresses — for the treatment of bleeding wounds. An infusion of leaves is also used to gargle the throat and mouth for inflammatory processes and bad breath. A poultice of the fresh and dried leaves reduces pain in the liver, rheumatic pain and toothache. Fresh and dry steamed leaves applied to purulent wounds and old ulcers, well clear them of pus and contribute to their faster healing. Water infusion of berries is used as an antiseptic for rinsing in diseases of the throat, mouth. Infusion of berries destroys bad breath. Berry juice and crushed berries are a good external remedy for atopic dermatitis, rashes and small wounds. Berry juice and crushed berries are also used for cosmetic purposes to soften the skin and destroy freckles, birthmarks, acne and lichen lesions on the face. Water infusion of leaves in the form of lotions and compresses is also used as a cosmetic for acne and spots on the face. Leaves of strawberry garden have a weaker therapeutic effect.

Methods of application

1. 1 tablespoon of strawberry leaves pour 2 cups of water, boil for a long time (or insist). Take 1/2 glass daily.

2. 1 teaspoon of crushed strawberry leaves infuse for 4 hours in 1 glass of boiling water, strain. Take 1 to 2 tablespoons 3 to 4 times a day.

3. 3 tablespoons of fresh strawberry berries insist for 4 hours in 1 glass of boiling water, strain. Take 1/4 glass 4 times a day before meals.