DESCRIPTION : F. virginiana is a perennial found mainly in forests, clearings and shady road sides of the Eastern U.S.

The leaves and flowers grow on petioles and stalks directly from the rootstock. This root stalk produces long rooting runners. The leaves are thin and are divided into 3 more or less ovate, coarsely toothed leaflets and are lightly hairy on lower side. Small, white flowers grow in raceme-like clusters during May and June. The berry is actually the enlarged, fleshy receptacle of the flower bearing tip of the stalk which holds the seed like fruits on its surface.

Flavor more delicate than the cultivated strawberry.

CULTIVATION : Strawberry grows best in rich moist soil, full sun or partial shade.

PARTS OF PLANT USED : The whole plant is used.

PLANT ANALYSIS : F. virginiana contains cissotianic, malic and citric acids, sugar, and mucilage. The fruit is rich in salicylates

Cultivated strawberries have less medicinal value than wild strawberries.

MEDICINAL USES : A tea from the leaves and roots has been used for diarrhea, dysentery, hematuria, and urinary tract problems. It is also said to be good tonic for convalescents and children. Fresh strawberry juice is said to make a good refrigerant for feverish illnesses. leaf tea said

The traditional use of strawberries for rheumatism may be explained by the salicylates the berries contain. Fresh berry extract is said to lower blood pressure. It is high in iron and acts as a diuretic and aids liver function. The seeds may disturb diverticulitis.

The berries are slightly laxative, but the leaves are useful in controlling extreme diarrhea.

Homeopathic uses of strawberries include anasarca, chilblains, convulsions, gonorrhea, tape worm, and urticaria. A strong decoction of this plant has been used to cleans and heal eczema and other skin conditions.

MEDICAL ACTION : F. virginiana is considered to be astringent, diuretic, tonic, and laxative

DOSAGE : For an infusion steep 2 teaspoon leaves or rootstock in 1/2 cup boiling water. Take as needed.

For a tincture of leaves take 5-15 drops in water 3 times day

MAGICKAL USE : Serve strawberries as a food for love. Carry the leaves for luck. If you are pregnant, carrying the leaves will ease the pain of pregnancy.

HISTORY : The name strawberry is not derived from the habit of placing straw under the cultivated plants when the berries are ripening, as reported by some. The name is older than the custom of hay. It is from obsolete verb tense of the word strew. 'Straw' is referring to the tangle of vines with which strawberry covers ground.

1629 is the date give to introduction in England of the strawberry from Virginia. The earliest mention of strawberry in English writings is a Saxon plant list of the tenth century. Then in 1265 the "straberie" is mentioned in household roll of the Countess of Leicester.

The leaves of strawberry were used lotions and gargles for sore mouths and throats, or ulcered gums in colonial America. According to Elizabeth Blackwell "the fruit is accounted cordial and good for the hot bilious constitution."

John Hill wrote "Also, it is good to destroy the web in a man's eyes. Also the juice of it meddled with honey and drunken, helpeth the milt."

The leaves and fruit of strawberries were listed in early pharmacopoeias.

The Chippewa steeped roots for children with cholera infantum.

The Seneca used strawberry roots as an astringent. The runners were used for tuberculosis.

In 1828 C.S. Rafinesque wrote that even though strawberries were thought of as food, they did "deserve a place among medicaments..."

LORE : The strawberry is sacred to the Norse goddess Frigga. It was later associated with Mary.

Farmers in Bavaria enlist the aid of elves by tying bundles of berries to cows. The farmers believed the elves loved the fruit and would help improve abundance for the farmers.

The stalks of strawberry were once used in the once famous Antioch drink and vulnerary. Some recipes of this drink ordered that it should be prepared between the feasts of St. Philip and St. James, and the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION : Strawberry is a useful dentifrice and cosmetic. The fresh fruit removes discoloration on teeth. The juice is allowed to remain on the teeth for about five minutes. The teeth are then brushed with warm water and bicarbonate of soda. A cut strawberry rubbed over face immediately after washing your face will whiten the skin and remove slight sunburns.

An Old Recipe.

'Gather strawberry leaves on Lamas Eve, press them in the distillery until the aromatic perfume thereof becomes sensible. Take a fat turkey and pluck him, and baste him, then enfold him carefully in the strawberry leaves. Then boil him in water from the well, and add rosemary, velvet flower, lavender, thistles, stinging nettles, and other sweet-smelling herbs. Add also a pinte of canary wine, and half a pound of butter and one of ginger passed through the sieve. Sieve with plums and stewed raisins and a little salt. Cover him with a silver dish cover."

Opening quote of Dunn from Erichsen-Brown, Charlotte. Medicinal and Other uses of North American Plants. Dover Publications. New York, 1979

Old recipe from Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal. Vol. II. Dover Publications. New York, 1971.