Herb of the Day: Strawberry Leaf

The delicious little berries are a favorite worldwide and are quite easy to grow. Most people ignore the nutritious leaves on the strawberry plant, however. Strawberry leaves are delicious and make a fantastic tea and extract. High in vitamin C, iron, calcium, and antioxidants the big, beautiful strawberry leaves are worth holding on to.

Traditional Herbal Uses of Strawberry Leaf:

• Stomach Cleansing
• Diarrhea
• Eczema
• Laxative
• Diuretic
• Astringent
• Dysentery
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Arthritis Support
• Vitamins & Minerals 

Strawberry leaf is traditionally used in tea and often added to tea blends.  We do not use strawberry leaf in any of our products but wanted to make sure you knew about this amazing herb that you may have growing in your yard right now. 

The Plant

Fragaria spp., is a fairly easy plant to grow. The main factor to consider with this plant is that it will send out “runners” which will sprawl all over the garden. It’s best to leave at least 20 inches in between plants. Plant strawberry in full sun with the crown level to the ground. They will grow at any elevation but thrive between 5,000-7,000 feet. The leaves will grow first followed by pretty yellow or white flowers which will give way to a strawberry plant. The leaves often have a fuzzy appearance and can be harvested at any time although they are best when the plant is flowering. Provide strawberry with plenty of water and trim back “daughters” as needed and this perennial plant will provide for years to come!