Characteristics of Strawberry

The scientific name of wild strawberry is Fragaria vesca and it belongs to the Rosaceae family. The original form of the strawberry was a self-sown dense and wild shrub with small fruits that grew mainly in forests and riverside areas of the temperate zone.

The strawberry plant is a small perennial that spreads along the ground with a creeping habit. It is planted early in autumn, specifically in September, to bear fruit in spring. The plant’s productivity is high for the first 4 years and then gradually decreases. Its cultivation requires rich soil and is therefore often enhanced with fertilizers of all types (chemical, organic, compost).

The strawberry plant initially has a shallow and fine root system, but over time its roots become woody, from which the runners of the new plant are born. Strawberry plants are sensitive to winter cold and, to ensure the spring harvest, they are often grown in greenhouses.

Today there are many varieties of strawberry which, due to their large size, have displaced the original small wild variety that is unique in aroma and taste. The strawberry is one of the few fruits whose seeds are found on the outer surface of the fruit and not internally in the center as is the case with other fruits!!

History of the Strawberry

The first strawberries likely appeared in the pre-Christian era in North America as a wild plant in areas of rich vegetation, but also in other parts of the world since ancient times. The tribes of North America used the strawberry plant in their paintings, depicting the union of the male and female principles. Some archaeological findings indicate the existence of the plant since the Neolithic era!
The Romans were also among the first peoples to appreciate the fruit, both for its taste and its beauty. It is said that in Ancient Rome strawberries were eaten at the spring festival dedicated to Adonis, the symbol of youth and the beloved of the goddess Aphrodite. According to myth, strawberries grew where the tears of the goddess Aphrodite fell as she mourned the death of Adonis.

Around 1300, strawberries began to be cultivated in Europe, specifically in France. By 1800, when they became popular in English gardens, several different varieties had already been developed.
Today, strawberries are among the most beloved fruits for young and old alike, enjoyed in smoothies, in desserts with whipped cream, or simply fresh. They are valued for their high nutritional content, as they are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as anthocyanins, which give them their vibrant red color.

Ingredients

Essential oil of wild strawberry from the leaves, flowers and fine twigs of the plant, produced by steam distillation.

Chemical composition of strawberry essential oil

Terpenes, myrtenol (65%–71%), linalool, geraniol, citronellol, cumene, dibutyl phthalate, carvacrol, furans, furaneol, ellagic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, hexahydroxydiphenic acid esters, polyol, glycosides, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid.

Instructions for use

- Add 4-5 drops of strawberry essential oil to 1/2 cup jojoba oil and then apply to the ends of the hair to give a shiny look and prevent split ends.
- Combine with grape seed oil and almond oil to combat stretch marks.
- Massage during the summer months: Mix chamomile oil with strawberry and jasmine essential oils and give yourself a morning massage before you start your day, to help the body cope with the heat.*
- Put 3-4 drops in an oil burner to create a joyful energy in your home.
- A warm foot bath with a few drops of strawberry essential oil facilitates
the pressure techniques used in reflexology to stimulate the lungs and liver, awaken the spirit and cleanse the chakras.
- Strawberry essential oil blends well with coconut, vanilla, peach and mastic essential oils.
*Contact our pharmacist for the preparation of the blend.

Chinese medicine - Ayurveda

Strawberry, thanks to its cooling nature, is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to tonify yin, the feminine energy, and benefits the meridians of the lungs, spleen, kidneys and liver.

In Indian Medicine – Ayurveda, strawberry is considered a food that relaxes the liver, eliminates excess fluids and balances the 3 doshas vata, pitta, kapha.

Useful tips

- The use of strawberry essential oil should be avoided during pregnancy, breastfeeding and in children.
- Essential oils are intended for external use and are always used diluted in a carrier oil or other medium.
- Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes and mouth.