Strawberry leaves: medicinal properties and contraindications

Many people often turn to traditional medicine. Some cannot take medications because of contraindications, others for personal reasons, and nature is ready to share the best with a person. A substance that is part of antibiotics is synthesized from some plants in the jungle. But domestic open spaces are also rich in medicines. For example, strawberries are a very tasty and healthy berry, which contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Its useful properties have been known for a long time, but not everyone knows that plant leaves are widespread in folk medicine. However, you need to use them carefully, because they have a number of contraindications.

Chemical composition

The leaves contain a large set of nutrients. They are characterized by a high content of vitamin C, in addition, they contain essential oils and a lot of tannins. They also contain large amounts of iron and calcium - in general, everything that is necessary for the normal development of the human body.

What does strawberry look like and where does it grow

Strawberries belong to the Pink family. There are more than 10 varieties: some grow exclusively in the wild, others in greenhouses and vegetable gardens, and others are universal. She can be called the little sister of strawberries. The berries are very similar in appearance, but have different sizes - the fruits of strawberries rarely exceed 1.5 cm. Young berries grow on long stems that stretch toward the sun, which allows them to receive more light. In the process of ripening, the berries increase in size, are poured with liquid, become red-pink. Thin branches of a plant are not able to hold them in weight, and they are pressed to the ground. If the soil is moist, then the berries quickly rot. But wild strawberries grow in dense grass, which prevents the berries from touching the ground. This protects part of the fruit from decay. Gardeners use a special technique, covering the ground with bushes to protect the plant.

The leaves of the plant are very similar to strawberry. Each branch has a triple leaf at the end. The surface of the leaves is smooth, and on the back there are small hairs. Since in nature rarely something happens just like that, the hairs on the back of the leaves have practical applications - they protect the leaves from decay. In the mornings, dew wets not only plants, but also soil near wild strawberries. When the sun peeks out, it evaporates moisture; as a result of evaporation, it does not accumulate on the leaves, but on the hairs.

Strawberries are widespread throughout the globe, some varieties grow even in northern Africa. It is found throughout Eurasia, usually grows in forests in small clearings that are lit by the sun. If favorable conditions are formed, then it instantly grows with a real carpet and begins to bloom white in June.

Collection and storage

It is necessary to collect leaves for medicinal purposes after the appearance of flowers and before the appearance of berries. In different latitudes, this happens at different times. It was during this period that the leaves accumulated enough useful substances and did not have time to give them to the berries. It is important to pay attention to the ecology of the place where the berries grow. They can often be found near highways or cemeteries. Such places for collecting medicinal raw materials are not suitable.Glades and forests remote from roads and settlements are an ideal choice.

You can collect leaves only in sunny and dry weather. If it rained, then you can go for raw materials no earlier than in a day or two. Only leaves need to be cut, without stems.

Since leaves can be harvested for a limited period, the question arises of their storage. First they need to be dried away from sunlight, providing constant access to fresh air. It is important to spread them in a thin layer on any fabric or paper.

For drying leaves of wild strawberries, attics are ideal if the roof is made of slate. It will evenly heat up under sunlight and provide the raw materials with sufficient heat. Also in attics there are usually windows through which fresh air enters. The leaves thus dried are of the highest quality. You can even use dryers, but the temperature should not exceed 45 degrees.

As soon as the sheet crumbles effortlessly in the hand, it is ready. For long-term storage, glass jars or cloth bags can be used. In such conditions, the leaves can be stored for more than 2 years.

For tea, the drying technology is slightly different. Just collected leaves need to be put in the shade for a short period of time so that they have time to fade. Next, twist each leaf until juice appears. Put the twisted tubes on any flat surface - a baking sheet, a board, a dish - in a small layer. Then cover tightly with a damp cloth and leave for 8 hours to complete the chemical reaction. The process can be considered completed after the leaves begin to smell like berries. Now they can be dried in the oven or in the fresh air, away from sunlight. The oven must be heated to 90 degrees and dried for no more than an hour.

Move the finished raw materials into a tightly closed jar and store in a cool, dry and dark place.

The healing properties of strawberry leaves

Rich in a variety of useful substances, the composition makes strawberry leaves an excellent medicine. Each element contained in the leaves has its own value for the body. For example, a large amount of vitamin C makes the skin healthy, strengthens the immune system and is the prevention of viral diseases. Calcium contributes to the normal development of bone tissue, favorably affects the nails. Contained minerals help cleanse blood vessels and lower blood cholesterol.

Strawberry leaves are also able to fight atherosclerosis, a decoction can even stop bleeding.

Tannins help maintain the stomach and intestines in a healthy state, contribute to the excretion of heavy metals from the body. They are able to treat burns and inflammation. It is also worth remembering that tannins lose their beneficial properties when frozen.

In the leaves of strawberries are various antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory and decongestant effects. They keep the vessels in good shape and have a beneficial effect on the myocardium, normalize the production of insulin. Since ancient times, strawberry leaves have been used to treat the following diseases:

1. Colds, tonsillitis. Strawberry leaves effectively fight viruses and restore immunity after diseases. Decoctions and teas are used to gargle.
2. Ulcers. Decoctions of leaves are used to heal internal wounds in the stomach or intestines. They are also able to increase appetite.
3. Insomnia or irritability. Decoctions and teas will quickly fall asleep, relieve fatigue and tension of the nervous system. In some cases, they help people out of depression.
4. Open wounds. Of decoctions and tinctures often make compresses. They heal wounds faster, prevent the appearance of scars, due to the antimicrobial effect they do not allow harmful microorganisms to penetrate into the wound.
5. Worms. The substances contained in the leaves have a devastating effect on these parasites.
6. Heart disease. Not only leaves, but also berries are useful for the heart and blood vessels. They tone the heart and can improve the condition with hypertension or angina pectoris.Leaves with berries not only strengthen the heart, but also cleanse blood vessels and ensure normal blood circulation. Regular consumption of leaf tea is the prevention of senile dementia.
7. Blood pressure. The leaves dilate blood vessels, thereby contributing to the early reduction of blood pressure.
8. Kidney problems. Leaves are an excellent diuretic, so they remove all excess salt from the body, as well as all harmful substances. Remaining in the body, they can cause various joint diseases. The leaves are able to stop the inflammatory processes in the bladder.
9. Endocrine diseases. Strawberry leaves can lower iodine intake by the thyroid gland.
10. Gallbladder problems. Leaves also remove bile from the body, which is an excellent prevention of liver diseases.
11. Avitaminosis. Leaves contain the full range of vitamins necessary to keep the body healthy. Vitamins enter the body with regular use.
12. Metabolic problems. The plant is able to bring it back to normal.

For women

Women use strawberry fruits for cosmetic purposes, but often forget that the leaves are also useful not only for the skin, but also for the body as a whole. For example, decoction with milk from leaves and branches can remove freckles, acne and acne. The constant use of this medicinal decoction allows you to completely cleanse the skin, make it soft and return to normal color. The broth is used as a compress for sore spots on the face and as a drink.

A decoction on the water will strengthen the hair, make it clean and voluminous. To do this, after each washing of the head, rinse them with a decoction.

No less important role is played by strawberry leaves to maintain a normal female body. With gynecological problems, women often turn to traditional medicine. In combination with medicines, decoctions and tinctures from strawberry leaves can increase the tone of the uterus.

For men

Strawberry leaves are important for the male body. They contain zinc, which is actively involved in the formation of testosterone. Zinc normalizes its production, thereby increasing male strength and strengthening health. Decoctions on the water have a beneficial effect on the reproductive system. They can increase the duration of sexual intercourse and improve the quality of the seed.

For pregnant

Berries of strawberries are very useful for pregnant women, but in very limited quantities. It is better to refuse leaves, especially to women who have a risk of termination of pregnancy. Since folic acid, which is part of the leaves, contributes to muscle contraction, this leads to an increase in uterine tone, which can be dangerous, especially at later stages of pregnancy. In addition, during pregnancy, the woman’s body undergoes changes, allergic reactions to products that did not give such an effect before can occur. Therefore, the use of this drug is dangerous.

For kids

This medicine can be taken also by children, but of an older age - after 6 years. They can be given strawberry leaves in any form, except tinctures. Tea from the leaves will strengthen their immunity and prevent viruses from entering the body. In adolescents, one of the main problems at this age is acne, which ointments and decoctions can easily cope with.

Strawberry leaves in folk medicine

People often turn to traditional medicine, this happens for various reasons. Nature has something to give to man. A lot of herbs become components of medicines, so their benefits are undeniable. Strawberry leaves are no exception.They are able to cope with many ailments. There are a huge number of recipes for preparing medicines based on strawberry leaves.

With hypertension

Hypertension is a very dangerous disease, so timely treatment is important. You can also bring down high pressure with tablets, but by taking strawberry leaves regularly, you can stabilize it.

To prepare a folk medicine, you need a tablespoon of finely crushed leaves and boiling water. Pour the leaves with water, cover with a pair of napkins and leave for insisting. Then strain through cheesecloth. The medicine is ready. Take one spoon after 6 hours.

With vitamin deficiency and poor blood coagulation

Vitamin deficiency can cause more serious diseases, especially in the cold season. The lack of vitamins makes the body vulnerable to colds and viral diseases. Vitamin deficiency is especially dangerous in the midst of a flu epidemic.

To prepare the medicine you need a dark jar or bottle, a tablespoon of strawberry leaves and a bottle of vodka. Pour the leaves with vodka, close the container with a lid, then put in a dark place for at least 7 days. Use no more than 2 times daily for 20-30 drops.

For skin diseases

Lotions from a decoction of strawberry leaves are an incredibly effective tool in the treatment of skin diseases. This tool accelerates wound healing, relieves inflammation, and prevents scarring.

To prepare a therapeutic agent, you need to take an enameled bowl and pour 3 cups of boiling water there. Then add 3 tablespoons of chopped sheets and put on low heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. The mixture is infused, then strain. Soak a napkin or towel in the broth and apply to the sore spot for half an hour no more than 5 times a day.

Also, drinking this broth will help to cope with diseases. It is necessary to apply a glass a day.

With heavy sweating feet

Many people face this problem. It causes discomfort, but it is easy to get rid of it with the help of wild strawberry leaves. For 5 tablespoons of leaves, approximately 3 liters of boiling water will be required. Pour the leaves with water and bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cool. Every day before going to bed, do a foot bath for at least 15 minutes.

With a cold

A cold rarely happens on time, so it’s important for a person to get to their feet as quickly as possible. An infusion of strawberry leaves will help in this. Pour a tablespoon of leaves with a glass of boiling water, cover with densely folded gauze and leave to infuse for 2 hours. Apply inside half a glass in the morning and evening.

For ulcers and wounds

For the treatment of ulcers and serious wounds, lotions from a decoction may not be enough. Fresh strawberry leaves will come to the rescue. Wash a small hill of leaves thoroughly with cool water without soap, then finely chop and grind in a bowl with a wooden mortar to the state of gruel.

Apply the resulting ointment to the wound, press firmly with a film and wrap it with a bandage. Every 2-3 hours, change the leaves for fresh. Repeat the procedure until the wounds heal.

With colitis

This recipe is also suitable for the treatment of gastritis, but it is worth remembering that it is forbidden to take leaves with exacerbations. Two tablespoons of crushed leaves pour a liter of boiling water, cover with a napkin and insist for 7 hours. Strain through cheesecloth and take half a cup three times a day. The course of treatment should not exceed 10 days, and if the condition worsens, you should seek the help of specialists.

With acne

To quickly get rid of acne, you need fresh leaves of strawberries. First, they need to be dried for 1-2 hours in the shade, then finely chopped and grind into gruel. Mix thoroughly with castor oil in a ratio of 1 to 4. An ointment will be obtained that needs to be applied to the rash until it passes.

With hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a very unpleasant disease. In the shortest possible time, an enema from the infusion of strawberry leaves will help to get rid of it. To prepare it, you will need a glass of boiling water and a tablespoon of dried strawberry leaves. Add leaves to boiling water and leave to infuse for 30 minutes.Pour the cooled infusion into the syringe and do an enema every night until completely cured.

In chronic heart disease

An infusion of strawberry leaves is very useful for people with heart problems. To cook it, you need a thermos, 0.5 boiling water and 120 g of dry leaves. Grind the leaves, pour into a thermos and pour boiling water. Close tightly with a lid, wrap with a towel and leave for 1-1.5 hours. Drink the infusion after eating half a cup throughout the day. In addition to improving the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, the infusion strengthens the nervous system and normalizes digestion.

Types of healing compounds

As with other folk remedies, strawberry leaves can be prepared in different ways. Each method of preparing medicinal raw materials has its own advantages and is most often aimed at a specific group of problems.

Infusion

Infusion is an excellent diuretic. Due to the lack of alcohol in the composition, it can be given even to children. The infusion replenishes the supply of vitamins in the body and shows high efficiency in vitamin deficiency. It is able to strengthen the immune system and quickly put the body in order after a disease, reduces blood pressure and has a positive effect on the heart as a whole.

It may seem strange, but the infusion can even fight allergies, despite the fact that in some people strawberry leaves themselves cause allergies.

It’s easy to cook, it only requires a small amount of raw materials and a glass of boiling water. Pour a couple of spoons of chopped leaves with boiling water, cover and leave to infuse for at least 2 hours, then strain. Drink in small sips throughout the day. This recipe for infusion is suitable for the treatment of vitamin deficiency, to clean the vessels of raw materials you will need 2 times less for the same amount of liquid. With colitis, you need to fill in the leaves with cold water and insist throughout the day.

Tincture

Alcohol tincture is no less healthy. Alcohol increases the benefits of the essential oils that make up the leaves. Therefore, tincture well strengthens the immune system and improves health. It is not recommended for use by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children. Tincture improves the gastrointestinal tract.

It works well for infectious diseases and colds, and is useful for flu. Tincture is able to alleviate the course of the disease. Shortly before the flu epidemic, it is recommended to take tincture as a prophylaxis.

To prepare it, you need a teaspoon of raw materials and a glass of vodka. Instead of vodka, you can use other strong drinks, such as moonshine or rum. Mix tincture preferably in a dark jar or bottle. If this is not at hand, you can wrap it with ordinary transparent cloth or paste over with paper. Mix the ingredients, close tightly and put in a cool dark place for about a week. About once a day, take out and shake the container. Use tincture 30 minutes before a meal, one tablespoon each. You can mix the medicine with water in a ratio of 1: 1.

Decoction

Decoctions have a tonic effect. They strengthen the immune system and can cope with colds and viral diseases. The broth is often prescribed for severe coughing; it is able to help people with bronchitis. For problems with sleep, it will also be useful, because it calms the nervous system.

The broth is even able to help cope with overwork and asthma. The cooking technique is simple. Approximately 2-3 tablespoons of finely ground leaves pour a glass of boiling water, then boil for 10-15 minutes. After that, remove from heat, cover and let it brew for 60–120 minutes. Take the finished mixture in a tablespoon no more than 3 times a day.

You can increase the effectiveness of the decoction if you add other herbs.Strawberry leaves are best combined with currant leaves and linden flowers.

Tea

Tea made from strawberry leaves is not only very healthy, but also delicious. It is the prevention of many diseases. This is an indispensable source of vitamin C, which is very important in the cold season. A cup of tea at night will provide a sound and healthy sleep, soothe nerves and cure insomnia. It also removes bad breath and is able to relieve inflammation in the mouth. Tea improves metabolism, lowers blood pressure, strengthens blood vessels, is good for the intestines and stomach.

Tea is suitable not only for internal use, but also for external use. It copes with purulent abscesses and any other skin lesions.

Making tea is easy. Raw materials prepared in advance need to be crushed and take 1–1.5 teaspoons of tea leaves in a cup of tea in 200–300 ml. When brewing strawberry leaves it is useful to mix with green tea, from this the effectiveness of the drink only grows.

To make soothing tea, you need to add a little chamomile and jasmine to the leaves of wild strawberries. Mix the plants, pour boiling water, let it brew and strain. Next, pour this tea with green tea. To calm the nervous system, drink 2 cups a day.

In the summer you can cook enhanced vitamin tea. To prepare it, pour a spoonful of leaves with boiling water, strain, then add a few raspberries to the cup and cover for 5 minutes.

To improve sleep, mix a teaspoon of strawberry leaves with the same amount of chamomile and lemon balm, pour boiling water, insist and drink 2 times a day - once before bedtime. You can enhance the effectiveness by adding the fruits of barberry or strawberries in the finished tea. Drink with honey or sugar.

Application in cosmetology

Strawberry leaves have long occupied their niche in cosmetology. They are used to improve the condition of hair and skin. They allow you to cleanse your face from freckles and acne. For these purposes, use a decoction that needs to be applied daily to problem areas. Keep the broth on your face for no more than 15 minutes.

For baldness, a decoction is also used. They wash their hair after shampoo, but can be applied inside. There are a large number of ways to use strawberry leaves in cosmetology.

Very often, powdered leaves are added to the finished hand creams. This allows you to keep your skin soft and tender, to heal wounds. If you pre-insist the leaves on vodka, you can achieve the effect of rejuvenation.

Another recipe involves the use of berries and leaves. They need to be rubbed into gruel, then add kefir, flour and egg yolk. Such a mask will moisturize the skin of the face, return a healthy color and give shine.

Can rabbits and chinchillas be given strawberry leaves

At first glance, rabbits and chinchillas are easy to care for, but in fact it is important to properly provide not only care for them, but also nutrition. This is not easy to do, because far from all plants they can eat. In the wild, chinchillas feed on cereals, shrubs, tree bark, etc. At home, a person should provide a diet. Strawberry leaves can be given to them, but not as a main course. This plant can diversify the diet of the animal. Strawberry leaves will also be beneficial for chinchillas in case of digestive upset, as they can stop diarrhea and have a diuretic effect. A pregnant female strawberry will also be useful in limited quantities. The plant is able to normalize the lactation of the animal.

Rabbits can also be given strawberry leaves, but in small quantities and dried.

Contraindications

Strawberry leaves in any composition are safe for a healthy person, but in some cases, due to individual intolerance, an allergic reaction can be observed, which is expressed by rash, vomiting and severe itching.All these problems disappear at the end of the drug.

After taking strawberry leaves, some people have stomach acid problems. In this case, folk remedies must be taken very carefully. It is advisable to drink infusions, teas and decoctions in small portions with a long break to monitor the condition. In case of worsening, it is better to immediately seek medical help.

Also, this drug is prohibited for use by people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or liver. In no case should you take leaves in any form with exacerbations of gastritis. Also, do not forget that it is not recommended to use this drug during pregnancy.

Photo strawberry leaves