BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
Also known as: Wild strawberry
The monograph covers several Fragaria species. Require species identification; do not extrapolate to the fruits.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
01 · UNDERSTAND
Properties & uses.
Urinary elimination
Traditional use to increase urine output in minor urinary complaints.
Read the sourceMild diarrhea
Traditional use; no demonstrated clinical efficacy in the EMA overview.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
02 · UNDERSTAND THE ACTION
How does the plant act?
Strawberry leaves and edible strawberries are two different subjects. The European dossier concerns the leaves of several Fragaria species, including wild strawberry. It recognizes traditional uses for mild diarrhea and as an adjunct to urinary elimination. Pharmacological information remains limited: a polyphenol-rich composition makes some actions plausible, but does not demonstrate a benefit in humans.
Constituents to know.
Their presence and quantity depend on the plant part and preparation.
- Tannins and other polyphenols
- The report notably identifies ellagitannins, procyanidins, gallic acid and chlorogenic acid. Their presence is not a measure of effectiveness.Read the reference
Digestive astringency
The astringent properties of tannins contribute to the plausibility of traditional use for mild diarrhea; the clinical effect of the leaves is not quantified.
Read the referenceAdjunctive urinary support
The herbal tea falls within traditional use to increase urine output. This is not a demonstration of antibacterial activity in the urinary tract.
Read the referenceWhat this means for preparation.
Choose identified leaves instead of extrapolating nutritional arguments about the fruits. During diarrhea, a herbal preparation does not replace attention to hydration or assessment of unusual signs.
03 · EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
A dossier without a usable clinical trial
- Type of research
- EMA assessment of available leaf data.
- Preparation concerned
- Leaves of F. vesca and the other species included in the shared monograph.
- Observed results
- The report consulted listed no clinical trials capable of establishing effectiveness.
- Limitations to consider
- Experimental data are also limited; no reliable estimate of the magnitude of a benefit emerges.
What can we take from this?
Neither a specific benefit attributable to F. vesca alone nor prevention of urinary tract infections is demonstrated in this dossier. The absence of reproductive data does not mean safety during pregnancy.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
04 · CHOOSE A PREPARATION
One plant, several preparations.
Only forms documented in this profile’s sources are presented.
InfusionLeaves · Route: oral
Fragmented dried leaves; not the fruits.
Please note: Follow the product's package leaflet; preparations are not interchangeable.
Read the source05 · BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications
- Allergy to the plant.
- Do not use if fluid restriction is prescribed, particularly for severe heart or kidney disease.
Medicine interactions
- No established interaction is included in this entry; this does not guarantee compatibility with a treatment.
Adverse effects
- No effect reported in the EMA summary; absence of a signal does not prove safety.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: medicinal use is not recommended because of insufficient data.
Children & adolescents
From age 12, depending on the preparation and its package leaflet.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
06 · PUTTING KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE
Preparations & recipes.
No home recipe is provided in this profile. For an appropriate preparation, refer to the product leaflet and ask your pharmacist for advice.
07 · CHECK THE SOURCES
Sources for this profile.
- EMA — Fragariae folium: assessment and documentsAccessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — Assessment report on Fragaria leaves, 2019Accessed on 09/10/2026
Illustration: Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz — Otto Wilhelm Thomé (1885), via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.
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