WILD STRAWBERRY
Fragaria vesca
Common name: Wild Strawberry
Latin name: Fragaria vesca
Other names: Alpine Strawberry, European Strawberry, Woodland Strawberry
Family: Rosaceae
Habitat: Wild Strawberry is native to Northern Hemisphere. It grows along roadsides, meadows, clearings and young woodlands, dry to moist open woods.
Description: Small perennial, herbaceous plant. It has a scaly rhizome, green to tinged red leaf and flower stalks. Both leaf and flower stalks are hairy. Leaves are compound, roughly toothed along the margins. Flower stalks are usually longer than the leaves. Flowers are white, five-petaled, followed by white berries, which usually turn red when ripe.
Parts used: Root, leaves, fruit
Useful components: Flavonoids, tannins, triterpene alcohols, citral oil, essential oils, vitamin C, minerals (magnesium, zinc, manganese, calcium, iron).
Medicinal use: Traditionally, Wild Strawberry was used to treat the liver, intestinal and stomach disorders. Leaves and roots were used in treatments of gum disease. Today, the plant is used in homeopathic medicine for different ailments. Leaves are used as an astringent, in cases of sore throats, cuts, burns and bruises. Tea made from the leaves is recommended in case of diarrhea. Fruit is believed to have diuretic and cooling properties. It is usually used in treatment of arthritis, tuberculosis, gout and rheumatism. The tincture made from the leaves is useful in case of gingivitis.
Safety: Some herbs could interact with certain medication. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption of any herb.