Strawberries

Photo courtesy of Pal Shazar.

Strawberries (Fragaria species)-Rosaceae (Rose) Family

Strawberries are sweet, sour, cool, and moist. They are rich in flavonoids, vitamins B, C, and E, and iron. They also contain ellagic acid, which is a potent, anticancer compound.

Strawberries have blood-purifying, astringent, diuretic, liver-tonic, and wound-healing properties. This fruit is a medicinal food in cases of anemia, constipation, fevers, hangover, high blood pressure, and jaundice. Because strawberry helps the body eliminate uric acid, it is used for gout, arthritis, and rheumatism. Because it moistens the lungs, it has been helpful for dry cough, sore throat, and tuberculosis. Cut strawberries can be rubbed over the teeth to whiten them and remove dental plaque without damaging enamel.

Strawberries are among the most hybridized and pesticide- and herbicide-contaminated produce items on the market. It is worth your time and your money to search out organic varieties. Berries that are overly large often lack flavor, and berries with whitish tips were collected too soon before proper ripening. Store strawberries in an open container in the refrigerator, removing any spoiled ones first. Leave the green caps on while rinsing, to prevent water from entering the berry and diluting the flavor.

Strawberries are sweet enough to satisfy a dessert craving. The leaves of the strawberry plant are also edible; like raspberry leaves, they are rich in minerals and have a flavor similar to that of black tea.

Strawberries, especially when they are not vine ripened, can be allergenic for some people, causing skin eruption or indigestion, which may simply be a result of clearing toxins from the body.

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries-contain chemicals found to protect cells against cervical and breast cancer. Researchers at Clemson University tested freeze-dried fruit extract against two cultures of aggressive cervical cancer lines and two breast cancer cell lines. Extract from strawberry and blueberry significantly decreased the growth of cervical and breast cancer cells.

A cup of strawberries has only about 50 calories and delivers about 3 g of fiber. It has calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, plus vitamin C (about 85 mg).

Strawberry Shake selected from the recipes of Rawsome! designed by Brigette Mars

Yield: 2 Serving

2 cups Almond Milk 6 dates, soaked for 20 minutes 1 cup strawberries, stems removed
1 peeled banana 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (options; not a raw product)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and liquefy. Enjoy!

NOT from Rawsome!

Acai with choice of juice or milk, banana and strawberries
or
Strawberry smoothie with banana, pineapple/coconut juice and spirulina
or
Acerola cherries with orange juice, strawberries and banana


Information supplied by Brigette Mars Rawsome! and Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.