Properties of the strawberry fruit: it has much more than alcohol

What is the strawberry tree, a tree or a shrub?

The strawberry tree is a large shrubof some three meters highalthough in good condition can reach ten or more.

presents the wide and rounded cupbrownish bark, peeling off in layers, reddish young branches and hard, glossy leaves.

The Cortex is rich in tannins. The leavesand also other parts of the plant, contain arbutina glycoside that, when hydrolyzed by the action of the intestinal bacterial flora, releases hydroquinonewhich is eliminated in the urine, being useful in case of urinary infection.

The flowers They appear in pendulous panicles and are shaped like small white bells or urns. The fruits Are the arbutus cherries, groceries and very tasty; and contain pectin, flavonoids, sugars and gallic acid.

blooms after the last summer rains or already in autumnand the fruit appears a year latercoinciding with the following flowering.

Along with holm oaks, heather, mastic trees and kermes oaks, the strawberry tree (arbutus unedo) shape part of the typical mediterranean landscape of dense scrub, sometimes impenetrable, which covers a good part of Spain, especially in silicic soils (granite). Their “relatives” are also well known: the canary strawberry tree (Arbutus canariensis), which behaves like an invasive species; or the mexican strawberry tree (Arbutus tessellata). The call Chilean strawberry treeinstead, is a different species (powdery escallonia).

Can the strawberry tree “drunk”?

Pliny the elder already warned, as recounted in the Dioscorides renewedthat of the strawberry tree do not abusebecause “from the outside it appears extremely beautiful but eaten the stomach bloats with wind and gives a great headache» and for this reason it was given the name of join“one only” in Latin.

The truth is that the ripe fruit, eaten in quantity, can in fact cause certain drunkenness, since it begins to ferment in the tree, producing alcoholbut taken at the beginning of its maturation it has a pleasant bittersweet flavor.

What can be prepared with strawberry trees?

The strawberry trees can be taken freshor use them to prepare jam, marmalade, liqueur or juice.

The creative kitchen has discovered them and makes recipes with them sauces and desserts amazing.

Medicinal properties of the strawberry tree

The leaves of the strawberry tree are used mainly as antiseptics on the urinary system, in case of urine infection, cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis.They indicated also against diarrhea and as support in irritable bowel syndrome.Externally, the leaves are used as mouth antiseptic and astringent in mouth infections and bleeding gums.The fruits of the strawberry tree, rich in pectin, help reduce cholesterol and blood sugarwhile his vitamin P can strengthen capillaries and increase their permeability.

Natural remedies with strawberry tree

Diuretic tea for urinary tract infections

Strawberry leaves free hydroquinoneof properties antiseptic. This herbal tea combines them with diuretic plants.

How to prepare it: Strawberry leaves are mixed in equal parts with other plants with similar virtues, such as grass, bearberry and horsetail, as well as star anise to improve the flavor.
Boil two level tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water for a couple of minutes, leave it to rest for another 10 and you can drink it during the day.

Infusion for irritable bowel syndrome

How to prepare it: It is usually combined with agrimony, oak bark and loosestrife, plus green anise, at the rate of a tablespoon per glass of water.

Mouthwash for oral infections and bleeding gums

The strawberry tree is usually combined with mastic, plantain and thyme, in equal parts.

How to prepare it: Boil two tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water for 2 minutes and let it rest for another 10; it is filtered well and, with the infusion not very hot, gargle or apply as a mouthwash, twice a day.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”