The strawberry tree ( Arbutus unedo ) is a plant belonging to the Ericaceae family. Useful against cystitis and diarrhea, it has a disinfectant, balsamic and antispasmodic action. Let's find out better.
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Properties of the strawberry tree
Leaves, fruits, flowers and roots of the strawberry tree all have medicinal properties . The leaves in particular have marked antiseptic qualities capable of helping the liver and bile work .
The strawberry tree has a strong disinfectant power and is also useful in the case of inflammations, especially of the urogenital system (cystitis). The strawberry tree is also useful as a diuretic, antispasmodic and antidiarrheal .
Another product obtained from the arbutus is arbutus honey which has balsamic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and diuretic properties.
In addition to the leaves, rich in tannins, aromatic resins, phenolic derivatives and essential oils, fruits, flowers and roots also contribute to making strawberry tree a precious medicinal plant.
Method of use
The leaves are the richest part of active substances such as arbutin and other phenolic derivatives, resins, gums and many tannins. The fruits instead are excellent consumed fresh or processed and preserved. They contain many sugars up to 20% and then pectins, arbutin, pigments of various types, sterols, flavonoids and vitamins.
INTERNAL USE: decoction of dried leaves of strawberry tree is recommended in case of liver and gall bladder problems, kidneys and urinary tract. It is also a mild febrifuge.
The decoction of arbutus root is in popular use against arteriosclerosis . The presence both in the leaves and in the tannin bark leads to astringent properties that are always taken by decoction.
The arbutus mother tincture is indicated as a natural remedy in case of prostatic inflammation and urethritis and seems even able to help repair the urethral mucosa. The fruit is eaten fresh and well ripe, when between the end of October and December it becomes beautiful red when ripe.
EXTERNAL USE: The decoction of the leaves is also excellent for toning the skin and is even used for natural skin tanning.
Contraindications of the strawberry tree
Already the scientific name unedo suggests to go easy on it and avoid binge eating of arbutus fruits : the alkaloids contained in it can disturb the stomach and easily generate indigestion.
The strawberry tree among the forgotten fruits of autumn: discover the others
Description of the plant
The strawberry tree is baptized with the name of Arbutus unedo and is of the Ericaceae family. The habit is that of a small tree or shrub and is typical of the Mediterranean maquis . Even if it can reach up to 10 meters in height if the environment is suitable.
It bears well the wind and the strong sea breezes that often cause the trunk of the strawberry tree bent and twisted forms to withstand these air flows. It does not fear drought and grows in poor and sometimes rocky soils.
The plant is always green and therefore the leaves fall throughout the year. The leaves are simple, oval-shaped with serrated edges and leathery consistency with dark green coloring. The flowers are small bells grouped together and white in color that bloom in autumn between October and November. The anthers provide a great deal of nectar even though we are at the end of the bee flight season.
The fruits are bright red globular berries that ripen the year after flowering and are edible . The taste is pleasantly sweet and full-bodied. This fruit is one of the forgotten fruits of the Italian tradition perhaps also due to the difficulty of removing the seeds immersed in its yellow pulp.
Strawberry tree habitat
It is a shrub that loves the Mediterranean scrub and siliceous soils rather than limestone. It is at ease among chestnut trees, holm oaks and myrtles and rarely grows above 1000 meters. However it also adapts well to the gardens of the house and cheers with its yellow and red fruits.
In Italy it is extremely typical of traditional gardens especially in the Tuscany region but we can also see it along the coasts of Tunisia, the Canary Islands, Morocco and even Ireland.
Background
The strawberry tree is called the Garibalbi plant because at the same time the leaves are green, the flowers are white and the red fruits just like the flag of Italy.
Arbutus honey is a typical product of Sardinia due to its ideal climate where this plant can grow optimally. This honey is highly sought after and rare because at the end of autumn the bees do not go out much to beetle due to too much rain, wind or any cold. Getting the strawberry tree honey is therefore very difficult but it is a well-spent effort to taste its delicacy.
A last story curiosity is the name by which it is called in England. The strawberry tree, in fact, is named strawberry tree precisely because it resembles a tree full of strawberries .
