Content
The medicinal properties of strawberry leaves and contraindications are important in traditional medicine. The green parts of the plant contain many useful elements, and drinks based on them help with a wide range of ailments.
What it looks like and where it grows
Wild strawberry is a perennial plant from the Rose family. It rises above the ground by an average of 10 cm, the diameter of the berries rarely exceeds 1.5 cm. Fruits grow on long stems, at the beginning of ripening they are pale green, but over time they are filled with juice and become bright red. The leaves of wild strawberry are similar to strawberry, they are located in three pieces at the end of each of the branches, they have a smooth but corrugated surface and a slightly fleecy underside.
Wild strawberries are widespread in the world. You can meet her in Russia in all climatic zones, in Europe, America and even North Africa. A perennial berry grows usually in the forests in small sunny glades, often forms real carpets in the grass.
Strawberry leaf composition
Wild strawberry leaves are valued in folk medicine due to their rich chemical composition. They contain:
- vitamin C;
- flavonoids and pectins;
- cobalt;
- ether compounds;
- potassium;
- copper and calcium;
- vitamins B and E;
- alkaloids;
- phosphorus and sodium;
- quinic acid;
- tannins;
- vitamin PP;
- a large amount of iron;
- Apple acid;
- manganese;
- carotenoids.
When properly prepared according to proven recipes, raw materials have a pronounced strengthening, anti-inflammatory and healing effect.
Why are wild strawberry leaves useful?
Due to its rich composition, strawberry leaves have a beneficial effect on all body systems. In particular:
- strengthen immune defenses and prevent viral diseases;
- improve the condition of the skin and hair;
- have a positive effect on the health of nails and bone tissue;
- cleanse blood vessels and lower the level of harmful cholesterol;
- serve as the prevention of atherosclerosis;
- stop bleeding;
- improve the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
- promote the removal of toxins and toxic substances from the body;
- help with inflammation;
- relieve swelling;
- improve insulin production;
- strengthen the heart system.
The health benefits of wild strawberry leaves can be used to treat colds and sore throats, for insomnia, and to combat stress. Compresses and lotions from infusions and decoctions contribute to the rapid healing of wounds, ulcers and burns. Wild berry leaves reduce blood pressure in hypertension, regulate hormonal levels and help replenish vitamin deficiencies.
Healing properties of strawberry leaves for women
Decoctions and infusions have valuable cosmetic properties. When applied internally and externally, they improve skin condition, help get rid of acne and acne, and restore a healthy complexion. Water infusions can be used to rinse the hair, the curls become more voluminous and obedient, they do not get dirty so quickly after washing.
Wild strawberry leaves are used for gynecological diseases. Folk remedies based on them help stop bleeding and improve the functioning of the reproductive system.
Strawberry leaves during pregnancy
During the period of childbearing, wild berry greens can strengthen a woman's immunity, help in the treatment of colds and inflammatory diseases. However, it is advised to use the remedy only in extreme cases, the benefits and contraindications of a strawberry leaf with a stalk are ambiguous.
The composition of forest raw materials contains components that increase the tone of the uterus and provoke muscle contractions. In early and late pregnancy, this can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.
Benefits for men
Zinc is present in the leaves, this element is important for the normal functioning of the male hormonal system. Strawberry decoctions and infusions increase testosterone levels, have a beneficial effect on the reproductive system and help with a decrease in potency. Taking leaf-based products can be used to prevent and treat pelvic inflammatory disease.
What are useful for children
Wild strawberry leaves strengthen children's immunity and increase resistance to viruses and colds. For teens, natural remedies can help get rid of acne that often occurs during puberty.
At the same time, it is allowed to offer the leaves of wild forest strawberries to a child only after 6 years. At an earlier age, raw materials can provoke an allergic reaction or cause indigestion.
Preparation and application methods
Traditional medicine offers several uses for the green leaf of wild strawberry. Most often, water infusions are prepared from it, but raw materials are also useful in combination with alcohol bases.
Infusion
The wild strawberry infusion has pronounced diuretic properties, is beneficial for the tendency to edema, hypertension and heart disease, strengthens the immune system. It is very simple to prepare it:
- two large tablespoons of crushed leaves are poured with 500 ml of hot liquid;
- cover the container with a lid;
- leave the product to infuse for two hours.
The finished drink must be filtered and taken during the day at short intervals in small sips.
Decoction
A concentrated decoction of wild strawberry leaf has strong tonic and anti-inflammatory properties. You can use it for colds, coughs and bronchitis, bronchial asthma. Also, the remedy is beneficial for severe stress and insomnia.
A decoction is prepared according to this recipe:
- three large tablespoons of raw materials ground into powder are poured into a glass of water;
- boil the product for 15 minutes;
- removed from heat and insisted under the lid for another two hours.
You need to take a drink in a large spoonful three times a day.
Tincture
Essential oils dissolve especially well in an alcohol base.Strong tincture has strong immunomodulatory and anti-cold properties, and also improves the functioning of the stomach and intestines.
The cooking recipe looks like this:
- a small spoonful of crushed raw materials are poured into a dark glass bottle;
- pour a glass of vodka, moonshine or rum;
- close the container and shake, and then put it in a cool dark place for a week.
During the infusion, the product must be shaken daily. The finished drink is filtered and consumed in a large spoonful on an empty stomach shortly before meals, washed down or diluted with water.
Tea
Delicious strawberry tea is a valuable source of vitamin C, improves sleep quality and soothes the nerves. You can drink the drink to fight inflammation in the oral cavity, to reduce pressure and strengthen blood vessels.
Tea is prepared on the leaves of wild strawberries according to the following recipe:
- 1.5 small spoons of crushed raw materials are poured into an ordinary cup;
- pour 200 ml of hot water;
- insist under the lid for 15 minutes and use warm.
If desired, you can mix wild strawberries with green tea leaves, chamomile or jasmine. The benefits of this drink will only increase.
Application in traditional medicine
Strawberries help to cope with many painful conditions. Home medicine offers several popular recipes using wild berry leaves.
From hypertension
Wild strawberry has a mild effect on blood pressure and gently lowers it when consumed regularly. The drug is prepared as follows:
- pour hot water into a large spoonful of crushed leaves;
- cover the container with a saucer or towel;
- leave for two hours to infuse.
The finished drink is filtered through cheesecloth and taken in 15 ml every six hours.
With a tendency to bleeding
Strawberries help with frequent nosebleeds. In such cases, it is useful to use alcohol tincture on a forest berry leaf, but they do it like this:
- crush raw materials in the amount of a large spoon;
- pour a liter of vodka in a dark glass vessel;
- close tightly and insist in the dark for a week.
The filtered remedy is drunk 20 drops twice a day for 9-10 days, and then take a break.
With dermatitis and eczema
To cope with skin diseases and mechanical damage to the epidermis, lotions from a decoction on a leaf of wild strawberry help. To prepare the medicine you need:
- pour three cups of boiling water over three large spoons of chopped raw materials;
- bring to a boil over low heat and simmer for another five minutes;
- insist the finished broth for about an hour and strain through cheesecloth.
A towel or napkin is moistened in a warm product and applied to the diseased areas for 30 minutes. You can repeat the procedure up to five times a day.
With anemia
Wild berry leaves help to cope with anemia and deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body. For treatment, you need to prepare a simple infusion:
- pour boiling water halfway over two large tablespoons of finely chopped leaves;
- close the container with a lid and leave for an hour;
- strain the finished product.
They drink a strawberry drink twice a day, 150 ml. For cooking, you can use not only dry, but also fresh green leaves.
For painful periods
Wild Berry Leaves help reduce pain during critical days and reduce blood loss. Infusion helps best. They do it like this:
- a large spoonful of raw materials is poured with 500 ml of hot, but not boiling water;
- leave under the lid for eight hours, it is most convenient to brew the product in the evening, so that in the morning it is ready.
The present drink is filtered and drunk daily, 150 ml. You need to continue using it until your period ends.
For insomnia
In case of sleep disorders, a decoction of wild strawberries helps well. According to the recipe, you must:
- pour 30 g of dried leaves into a saucepan;
- pour 250 ml of water;
- boil for 20 minutes.
The finished product is cooled and drunk three times a day.
With bronchitis
Wild strawberry leaves are beneficial for severe coughs. To drain sputum, the following remedy is prepared:
- two large spoons of leaves are finely chopped with a sharp knife;
- pour a glass of hot water into a saucepan;
- bring to a boil and boil for 15 minutes.
The finished drink must be slightly cooled, and then filtered from the sediment and refilled with clean water to the original volume. In a warm form, the product is taken three times a day in the volume of a large spoon.
For colds
The vitamins and minerals in wild strawberries help to quickly bring down high fever and cope with cold symptoms. The remedy is prepared as follows:
- a large spoonful of raw materials is poured with 250 ml of water with a temperature of about 80 ° C;
- cover the glass with gauze or a flat saucer;
- leave for two hours, and then filter from the sediment.
You need to drink the remedy in the morning and in the evening for 1/2 cup, and continue using strawberry infusion until recovery.
With hemorrhoids
An infusion on a leaf of wild strawberry can be used not only in the classical way, but also for medicinal enemas for hemorrhoids. Prepare the tool like this:
- a large spoonful of dried leaves is steamed with 250 ml of boiling water;
- keep the product for 30 minutes, and then cool to a warm state.
The medicine is poured into a special syringe and medicinal enemas are administered once a day in the evenings. You need to continue the procedure until the condition is alleviated.
With arrhythmia
In the presence of chronic myocardial diseases, it is useful to use the following infusion:
- 120 g of dried leaves are poured into a thermos;
- pour 500 ml of boiling water;
- close the container and leave for 1.5 hours to infuse.
You need to take the finished drink three times a day, 1/2 cup after meals.
Application in cosmetology
Wild strawberry leaves are actively used for skin and hair care. Washing with infusions and decoctions:
- help to cope with acne and acne;
- improve skin color and make freckles less visible;
- have a lifting effect when the first wrinkles appear.
Women can add wild strawberry leaf powder to homemade face masks - fermented milk and egg.
Another area of use of wild strawberries is medicinal baths for excessive sweating of the feet. In this case, 300 g of leaves are brewed in 3 liters of water and the feet soar in hot liquid for 15 minutes shortly before bedtime.
Contraindications
Medicinal raw materials rarely harm the body. However, the beneficial properties and contraindications of the strawberry leaf accompany each other. It is not recommended to use a natural remedy for:
- gastritis with high acidity;
- renal colic;
- chronic liver disease;
- pregnancy and feeding.
Forest grass leaves are prohibited for use in case of allergies. For the first time, drugs should be tried in small dosages.If nausea, dizziness and itching soon appear, strawberries will have to be discarded.
Collection and procurement
The benefits and harms of strawberry leaf tea depend on the quality of the raw materials. You need to collect medicinal herbs from late May to early June, during the flowering period. When berries appear on the bushes of the plant, all the nutrients will pass into them, and the green parts will lose their medicinal value. The collection is carried out on a dry and clear day, only leaves are cut from wild strawberries, the stems do not need to be touched.
For long-term storage, raw materials are dried in the fresh air. Forest berry leaves are laid out in the shade with good ventilation on a cloth or paper and left until the moisture has completely evaporated. You can also use a dryer or oven, but the temperature should not exceed 50 ° C.
It is customary to store strawberry leaves in cloth bags or glass jars. The raw material retains its valuable properties in a dark and dry place for two years.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of strawberry leaves and contraindications are closely related to each other. However, there are not so many prohibitions on the use of raw materials; for most people, decoctions, infusions and teas will be quite safe.
