The strawberry season has begun, how wonderful! But once all the fruits have been harvested at some point, you won't be in such a hurry to dispose of the annual varieties. Because the leaves are more useful than you might have thought. Strawberry leaves are edible and can also be used.
By the way, this applies to both garden strawberries and wild strawberries. Don't be afraid to try these parts of the plant!
The benefits of strawberry leaves and how to dry them
Add strawberry leaves to your tea collection to reap its many benefits:
The advantages:
- has an anti-inflammatory effect on inflammation of the mucous membranes
- easily disinfecting
- can be used for gum inflammation
- antipyretic
- against colds
- against diarrhea
- strengthens the immune system
- improves bladder function
A notice:Before each use, the leaves should be rinsed thoroughly, regardless of whether you are using wild or garden strawberry leaves.
How to properly dry strawberry leaves
Only collect leaves that are not injured or have spotsSigns of illnesscould be. Then you have the choice:
- If the weather is still warm and nice and you are not in a hurry to dry, simply spread the strawberry leaves on a rack and let them dry.
- It works quicker in the oven: spread them out on a rack again and heat them to 40 degrees. You should leave the oven door slightly open during this time so that the moisture that is extracted from the leaves can escape. For example, you can clamp a wooden stick between them.
- You can crumble the dried leaves for storage if you wish.
Click left for practical uses.
Make your own tea
Strawberry leaves are perfect, for exampleto prepare a tea. They contain plenty of healthy active ingredients that can be very effective even if you have a cold. For strawberry leaf tea, you can use the leaves fresh or dried. This is a great way to stock up for the winter.
- Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 4 to 6 washed wild strawberry leaves. If you use plants from the garden, use fewer leaves.
- or 2 tsp dry leaves
- Let it steep for 10 minutes.
- Remove leaves.
- Drink tea.
Don't just use the tea for drinking
- IfRemedies for gum problems: In this case, you can extend the brewing time to 15 minutes to get a stronger tea. Simply rinse your mouth with the strawberry leaf tea for a few minutes.
- AFacial tonic for pimples: As is, you can apply the tea on a cotton pad and clean your face with it. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can work against pimples. The remedy also proves to be very beneficial for acne.
- Poultice for insect bites: Since strawberry leaf tea also has a cooling property, it is perfect after a...Sting to provide relief. Prepare the tea, although in this case you can also extend the brewing time slightly. The tea also proves to be very soothing if you have a rash.
Use leaves directly for oral problems
You can also use the tea to rinse inflammation. But if you want to do something even faster, for example because you are on the go and can't make tea, the leaves are also suitable fresh as they are. You can then either chew the clean leaves for a while or simply let them rest on the affected area for a while (e.g. for canker sores). In this case, the leaves should also be slightly bruised so that the juices can escape and work.
Use the leaves for a salad dressing with vinegar
That would be oneA special kind of dressing, not true? And the recipe is also super easy and quick to make!
- Crush a few leaves.
- Put them in a pan.
- Add a dash of vinegar (preferably white wine vinegar) and heat everything up.
- Let the dressing simmer for about two minutes.
- Once cooled, it can be added over the salad.
Use as animal feed
Dried strawberry leaves can enhance the diet of some animals if you give them to them from time to time as a supplement to their food, e.g. E.g.:
- Chinchillas
- rabbit
- Guinea pig
- Turtles (never the fruits)
Titelbild: Hanna Taniukevich/ Shutterstock
