Wild Strawberry

(Fragaria vesca)

Also called: Mountain strawberry, Woodberry, Pineapple strawberry.

Description: This is a familiar little plant with trifoliate leaves and white flowers with scarlet or crimson fruits.

Medicinal Uses: This herb is good for eczema and should be applied externally as well as taken internally.
Gerard said: 'The leaves boiled and applied in manner of a pultis taketh away the burning heate in wounds ... the ripe strawberries quench thirst and take away if they be often used, the rednesse and heate of the face'.

Part used: The leaves.

Directions for use: Add 1 oz. of the leaves to 1 pint of boiling water and infuse for ten minutes. A wineglassful should be taken three times daily. This should also be applied to the skin externally.

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The word strawberry is from the anglo-saxon Streowberie of which the first syllable refers to anything strewn. Another source says the plant gets its familiar name from the straw which is placed between the rows to protect the fruit from being splashed by the soil.

The wild woodland strawberry is the progenitor of our highly cultivated and delicious fruit.