Which of us does not like to enjoy delicious, ripe strawberries in the summer! Someone grows it in their garden plot, someone buys imported from the southern regions. But there is, after all, another type of berry - wild strawberries. By its taste and useful qualities, it is not inferior to the garden!
Strawberry or wild strawberry?
It is a common misconception that strawberries and strawberries are one and the same. This is especially true for wild berries - there is absolutely no difference between them. In fact, they are. Botanists call strawberries monoecious, and strawberries are dioecious (this means that it has plants both male and female). Strawberries, especially forest ones, are quite small in size, and their color is not as saturated and full as that of strawberries, most often pinkish but not red.
Wild strawberries also have other names: half moon, forest strawberries, meadow strawberries and
green strawberries. Perhaps this is also why it is often confused with wild strawberries. In fact, it’s quite simple to distinguish them: strawberries are green (that is, wild forest strawberries) spherical rather than oval, its fruits are sweeter, and the leaves are fluffy, silver. In the photo of wild strawberries and wild strawberries, the difference between them is immediately noticeable.
They differ in their habitat. Wild strawberries can often be found in pine trees. And where does wild strawberry grow? Mostly on grassy slopes, forest edges and clearings, in meadows. The time when wild strawberries ripen is July-August. Strawberries ripen a month earlier - you can pick it already in June.
Why such a name?
The confusion with strawberries and strawberries continues in their name. It is believed that in the English-language ethnonym (strawberry), the first part of the word is consonant with the word stream - stream, stream. So to call this berry (by the way, the English have the same name as strawberries and strawberries) because of its antennae, which seem to “flow” in different directions. Another option is a consonance with the word strewn (scattered): after all, strawberry berries are widely scattered here and there.
But the Russian word "strawberry" comes from "tuber", because it is round in shape, looks like a ball (in contrast to more elongated strawberries). At the same time, oddly enough, it is customary to call strawberries ... musky strawberries. This has been the case since the 18th century, since this species was more popular than green strawberries. It is for this reason that various names appeared in everyday life (including wild strawberries), specifying where the berry grows.
History tour
How did people learn about the wonderful taste of this unpretentious berry? The fact that wild strawberries have grown everywhere since ancient times is an indisputable fact. This was written by Pliny the Elder, and Ovid, and Virgil, referring to her as a savior berry. Slavic countries were familiar with wild strawberries since the Middle Ages, but at that time it was not cultivated as it is now. Some Europeans feasted on wild strawberries as early as the 16th century, but “tasted” it only a couple of centuries later, when a French naval officer, being in the mountains of Chile, was so impressed by the taste of the local small berry that he brought it home. In France, the plant turned out to be in the Paris Botanical Garden, next to another strawberry - Virgin. Botanists crossed varieties among themselves - this is how a new kind of wild strawberry turned out, which gained immense popularity.
Useful properties of wild strawberries
Strawberries, not only wild, but also of any other species, have a lot of qualities that have a beneficial effect on the human body. To begin with, the cholesterol and fats are completely absent in this berry! But because of many other reasons, it is considered truly healing (this is discussed below). Strawberry is absolutely not high-calorie, therefore it is recommended to people who watch their figure. Due to the presence of fructose and glucose in strawberries, it is also referred to as diet food. It perfectly quenches thirst and improves appetite, and when dried - as in the photo - wild strawberries are a diaphoretic.
The useful properties of wild strawberries are also in the fact that, in addition to medicine, it is also successfully used in other industries - cosmetology and cooking. In the latter case, strawberries with cream or milk are a very popular dish. Often, various sauces are made from berries, for example, for meat. They use strawberries in baking, make marmalade, jams and preserves from it, make stewed fruit and liquors. Also, the fruits can be dried, and subsequently added to tea.
Berry Healer
Already under Hippocrates, strawberries were widely used as a healing plant. Firstly, it perfectly strengthens the immune system, and is also rich in vitamins and minerals (potassium, iron, magnesium, vitamins B and C and so on) so much that it is a leader among other berries. Little of! There is even more iron in it than in grapes and apples. Thanks to the organic acids contained in strawberries, it accompanies the removal of harmful substances from the body. This berry is also recommended for diseases such as atherosclerosis, upset stomach or rheumatism, as well as anemia. Since it reduces the amount of sugar in a person’s blood, doctors advise it for use by patients with diabetes. And strawberries also contain flavonoids - substances that can slow the growth of cancer cells. Speaking of substances: present in strawberries and those that are similar in composition to aspirin. This means that a wonderful berry can serve as an excellent analgesic for headaches or joint pain. Women suffering from uterine bleeding also need to eat it.
Separately, they recommend including strawberries in their diet for older people - because of the anti-aging properties of this fruit. It improves brain function and memory, restores the central nervous system, and replenishes the lack of iodine in the body. Speaking about iodine, it is also worth noting that due to its large number, strawberries are successfully used in the treatment of bazedovy disease (hyperthyroidism). The berry is also good in the prevention of various eye inflammations and infections.
Various infusions are made from its leaves, which can be used both as a prophylaxis and as a treatment for colds or lowering pressure. A floral decoction will help with heart ailments.
Strawberry in cosmetology
First of all, the berry is used to treat skin (acne) rash, since it has the ability to narrow pores. As a rule, a mask is made from strawberries for the face or hands - rubbed in mashed potatoes and applied to the desired part of the body, previously wrapped in gauze or bandage. Often some other ingredient is added to the berry - for example, cottage cheese or lemon juice. You can make strawberry at home and a facial tonic - mix with vodka and let it brew for a month, then strain and dilute with water. With the help of strawberry juice, it is good to fight pigment spots and remove freckles.
When is a berry banned?
It is not necessary, however, to think that strawberries have only useful qualities. There are a number of reasons why it is highly undesirable for individuals to use this fruit. For example, for allergy sufferers: after all, pollen remains in the strawberry structure, causing an exacerbation of this disease. However, you can reduce the risk if you use the berry along with dairy products. You can not eat strawberries and those who suffer from gastric diseases: cirrhosis, gastritis, ulcers. Berry with appendicitis is strictly prohibited! It is not recommended to give it to babies - this is fraught with the appearance of dermatitis and diathesis. But when the child is already more than three years old - you can introduce him to a wonderful berry. With caution, pregnant and lactating women should use strawberries. In addition, there are people with individual intolerance to the various components contained in the fetus.
Storage secrets
It is necessary to store strawberries in the refrigerator, after sorting through and discarding all damaged or rotten fruits. It is best to keep it in a closed container, otherwise it will be saturated with moisture. At room temperature, and even more so under the influence of the sun, it is not recommended to store the berry - it can spoil instantly. So that strawberries do not have time to lose all their good properties, you need to eat it for a maximum of two to three days. It is possible even later - only the benefits of this will no longer be.
Some people prefer to freeze strawberries so that they can enjoy it in the winter. In this case, you must first thoroughly rinse and dry the berry, and also add lemon juice to it - this will preserve the original color. It is important to remember that whole strawberries, frozen, retain their nutritional qualities worse than cut ones.
Thus, wild strawberries are not just tasty treats and delights for the eyes. It is also a whole storehouse of useful properties, so wild strawberries - to be!