Strawberries: useful properties and recipes for use

Strawberry is a perennial plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. The rhizome of the plant is horizontal and short, with thin numerous roots. Leaves with long petioles start from the top of the strawberry rhizome. From the axils of the leaves of the plant, above-ground shoots appear, which are of two types: vegetative and generative.

Vegetative shoots are called “whiskers” of strawberries. They are long, creeping and take root on their own. Leaves are formed in the nodes of already rooted ones, from the axils of which both types of shoots appear. This is how the vegetative reproduction of a plant occurs – wild strawberry. Generative shoots end with an inflorescence of several flowers. The height of each such shoot is about 25 cm.

The dark green leaves are oval-diamond shaped and have a complex structure. Strawberry flowers are located on long pedicels. The strawberry fruit is a bright red berry with a pleasant aroma. In May, mass flowering of the plant begins, which lasts a whole month. However, there are plants that bloom a little later. Fruit ripening occurs in June-July.

Strawberries can be seen in the European regions of Russia, Eurasia and Western Siberia. This berry prefers to grow on the edges of forests, glades, meadows, between shrubs and on the slopes of roads. And its abundant growth was noticed in places of forest fires and in deforestation. Thanks to their “whiskers”, strawberries quickly and easily cover new areas.

Composition and calorie content

Other important connections:

• Phytosterols — 12 mg (22% of RDI)

• Purine — 11 mg (8,3% of RDI)

• Oxalic acid — 15,8 mg (4% of RDI)

Useful properties of strawberries

Strawberries are a berry that ranks first among all in terms of iron, vitamin E, folic acid and calcium content. The leaves and roots of strawberries are rich in tannins, alkaloids and essential oils. Strawberry tea helps with inflammation of the mucous membrane. In addition, strawberry leaves and rhizome have a diuretic effect, heal wounds, heal ulcers and shrink the spleen. Loose teeth and weak gums can be strengthened by rinsing with strawberry decoction.

Strawberries are also beneficial for the human body. The fruits of the plant contain trace elements, sugars, pectins, acids, fiber, vitamins and essential oils. They not only improve appetite, but also contribute to the normalization of digestion.

Growing and caring for strawberries

This berry prefers light and sunny areas with loose soil. Flat surfaces are best suited for growing wild strawberries. Before planting strawberries, it is necessary to prepare the soil, namely to dig, fertilize and remove weeds. Already used soil in recent times is a very good option for planting strawberries. For example, after a harvested radish, you can plant strawberries in its place with peace of mind, only after making compost. And a year after planting, it will be very good to add ash to the soil.

Strawberry seedlings are planted at a distance of 30 cm from each other. And many gardeners like a different way of planting strawberries. This method involves planting a plant with bushes and doing nothing with them throughout the year. During the ripening period of the berries, weak and lifeless rosettes are removed with secateurs or scissors.

Care. During the summer, the plant forms a “whisker”. In order for the nutrients not to go to the growth of these “whiskers”, they must be removed, and then all the substances will go to the ripening of the plant’s berries. Strawberries need timely weeding. Especially it needs weeding after rain. Mulching with straw will also not be superfluous for the plant, on the contrary, strawberries will not be polluted from it, retain moisture and protect themselves from diseases. Strawberries need to be watered regularly, and it is desirable that the water is warm. The plant can not be transplanted to another place for 5 or even 6 years.

The use of wild strawberries

For medicinal purposes, use the berries, roots and leaves of strawberries. Fresh strawberries help with atherosclerosis, neurasthenia, stomach ulcers and insomnia. And also fresh berries are used for urolithiasis, gout, diseases of the liver and spleen. Decoctions and infusions of strawberry leaves are used by folk healers for rickets, gout, colitis, jaundice, diabetes and bronchitis. Rash, lichen and acne can be removed with a compress on a decoction of strawberry leaves.

An infusion of herbs and leaves of the plant is an excellent remedy for preventing and treating colds. An infusion of strawberry leaves is very useful in the initial stages of hypertension, as it dilates blood vessels and slows down the rhythm of heart contractions.

Strawberries help restore strength, cure diarrhea in children and help with anemia. The fruits of this plant have a vitamin and anti-allergic effect, have choleretic and diuretic properties. In addition, these berries can normalize metabolism. Thanks to the properties of strawberries, toxins and cholesterol are removed from the body. Strawberries contain vitamins with various anthocyanin compounds, thanks to which the plant protects against radiation.

Infusion from the collection of herbs for urolithiasis. To prepare it, take 40 grams of strawberries, 30 grams of nettle leaves, 30 grams of horsetail grass, 40 grams of rose hips and 30 grams of birch buds. Now take 2 tablespoons of the finished collection and fill them with 200 ml of boiling water. We put the composition in a water bath for half an hour. After the water bath, pour the finished infusion into a thermos and leave for an hour. Take this medicine 200 ml three times a day one hour before meals.

Strawberry decoction for mouthwash for toothache. To prepare it, take 2 tablespoons of strawberry leaves and 1 teaspoon of mint, mix them and pour them with a glass of boiling water. Leave the product for 5 minutes to infuse, then do not forget to strain. Ready decoction rinse your mouth with toothache several times a day. The decoction should be used warm.

A decoction of strawberries for hemorrhoids. To prepare it, you need to take 1 teaspoon of the leaves of the plant (pre-crushed) and pour 100 ml of boiling water over it. Leave everything for 20 minutes and strain. This decoction is used to make enemas and baths for hemorrhoids.

Dry or fresh steamed leaves of the plant are applied to purulent wounds or old ulcers. Leaves relieve wounds from pus and lead to faster healing of injuries.

A decoction of wild strawberries fortifying. Taking 200 grams of dry strawberries, they are poured with two liters of boiling water. Then everything is put on low heat for 10 minutes. After removing from heat, leave the broth to brew for 2 hours. Strain the resulting remedy. Take it 100-200 ml three to five times a day.

Contraindications to the use of strawberries

Some people may experience allergy symptoms from eating strawberries. Pregnant women are contraindicated infusion of the leaves of the plant, as it is a tool that increases the tone of the uterus and enhances its contraction.

It is better to stay away from strawberries for people with appendicitis, duodenal ulcer and gastroduodenitis.