Last updated on November 8th, 2021 at 06:23 am
One of my favorite plants to eat is deliciously red and juice strawberries – spring and summertime are my favorites for all things fruit.
Did you know that ripe and fresh strawberries are extremely high in antioxidants? They are a beautifully rich source of whole form vitamin C, manganese, folate, potassium, B vitamins, and flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol.
Another fun fact on strawberries – they are the only fruit to have seeds (and in this case seeds rich in omega-3 fatty acids) on their exterior.
What are strawberries good for?
Cardiovascular health
Strawberries are not only rich in vitamin C, but also contain flavonoids called quercetin and kaempferol. Both of these compounds play a vital role in preventing LDL cholesterol in the blood from oxidizing and causing damage to the artery walls.
Digestive support
Strawberries are rich in fiber, which can be very helpful when experiencing a sluggish bowel. The leaves from a strawberry plant can also be brewed into a tea and are used in a traditional remedy to soothe acid reflux.
Anticancer
Strawberries contain ellagic acids (an antioxidant) that are very effective in scavenging, binding, and neutralizing cancer-causing chemicals within the body.
How to get the most from your strawberries?
♦ Eat seasonally. Strawberries are most delicious and nutritious when eaten fresh and in season, they also tend to lose their nutrient rather quickly once picked.
♦ Eat organic. Strawberries are one of the plants most sprayed with pesticides and fungicides. Sadly choosing organic is the only way to ditch the chemical contamination.
♦ Use the leaves. Fresh or dried-out strawberry leaves are great to make a stomach-soothing tea.
How to make tea from strawberry leaves?
A comforting, and stomach-soothing tea is best made when using the leaves of young strawberry plants.
♦ Simply place a handful of fresh strawberry leaves into a glass jar or teapot.
♦ Cover the young leaves with boiling water and allow them to steep for 10-15 minutes.
♦ Strain and serve.
Please note: you can also make a delicious and effective herbal infusion with dried strawberry leaves when fresh isn’t available.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
I get all my dried herbs and mushroom powders from Mountain Rose Herbs!
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