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Gerard's Herbal

Gerard's Herbal - CHAP. 386. Of Strawberries.

CHAP. 386. Of Strawberries.


 

Fig. 1440. Red Strawberries (1)

Fig. 1441. White Strawberries (2)

 

The Kinds.

            There be divers sorts of Strawberries; one red, another white, a third green; and likewise a wild Strawberry,which is altogether barren of fruit.

The Description.

            1. The Strawberry hath leaves spread upon the ground, somewhat snipped about the edge; three set together upon one slender footstalk like the Trefoil, green on the upper side, and on the nether side more white: among which rise up slender stems, whereon do grow small flowers, consisting of five little white leaves, the middle part somewhat yellow, after which cometh the fruit, not unlike to the Mulberry, or rather the Raspis, red of colour, having the taste of wine, the inner pulp or substance whereof is moist and white, in which is contained little seeds: the root is thready, of long continuance, sending forth many strings, which disperse themselves far abroad, whereby it greatly increaseth.

            2. Of these there is also a second kind; which is like to the former in stems, strings, leaves, and flowers. The fruit is something greater, and of a whitish colour, wherein is the difference.

            There is another sort, which brings forth leaves,flowers, and strings like the other of his kind. The fruit is green when it is ripe, tending to redness upon that side that lieth to the Sun, cleaving faster to the stems, and is of a sweeter taste, wherein only consisteth the difference.

            There is also kept in our gardens (only for variety) another Strawberry which in leaves and growing is like the common kind; but the flower is greenish, and the fruit is harsh, rough, and prickly, being of a greenish colour, with some show of redness. Mr. John Tradescant hath told me that he was the first that took notice of this Strawberry, and that in a woman's garden at Plymouth, whose daughter had gathered and set the roots in her garden instead of the common Strawberry: but she finding the fruit not to answer her expectation, intended to throw it away: which labour he spared her,in taking it and bestowing it among the lovers of such varieties, in whose gardens it is yet preserved. This may be called in Latin, Fragaria fructu hispido, The Prickly Strawberry.

Fig. 1442. Wild Strawberry (3)

            3. This wild Strawberry hath leaves like the other Strawberry, but somewhat less, and softer, slightly indented about the edges, and of a light green colour: among which rise up slender stems bearing such flowers as the common Strawberries do, but lesser, which do wither away, leaving behind a barren or chaffy head, in shape like a strawberry, but of no worth or value: the root is like the others.

The Place.

            Strawberries do grow upon hills and valleys, likewise in woods and other such places that be somewhat shadowy: they prosper well in gardens, the first everywhere, the other two more rare, and are not to be found save only in gardens.

The barren one grows in divers places, as upon Blackheath, in Greenwich Park, &c.

The Time.

            The leaves continue green all the year: in the Spring they spread further with their strings, and flower afterward: the berries are ripe in June and July. The barren one flowers in April and May, but never carries any berries.

The Names.

            The fruit or berries are called in Latin by Virgil and Ovid, Fraga: neither have they any other name commonly known: they are called in High Dutch Erdbeeren: in Low Dutch, Eertberien: in French, Fraises: in English, Strawberries.

The Temperature.

            The leaves and roots do cool and dry,with an astriction or binding quality: but the berries be cold and moist.

The Virtues.

            A. The leaves boiled and applied in manner of a poultice taketh away the burning heat in wounds: the decoction thereof strengtheneth the gums, fasteneth the teeth, and is good to be held in the mouth, both against the inflammation or burning heat thereof, and also of the almonds of the throat: they stay the overmuch flowing of the bloody flux, and other issues of blood.

            B. The berries quench thirst, and do allay the inflammation or heat of the stomach: the nourishment which they yield is little, thin, and waterish,and if they happen to putrefy in the stomach, their nourishment is naught.

            C. The distilled water drunk with white wine is good against the passion of the heart, reviving the spirits, and making the heart merry.

            D. The distilled water is reported to scour the face, to take away spots, and to make the face fair and smooth; and is likewise drunk with good success against the stone in the kidneys.

            E. The leaves are good to be put into lotions or washing waters, for the mouth and the privy parts.

            F. The ripe Strawberries quench thirst, cool heat of the stomach, and inflammation of the liver, take away (if they be often used) the redness and heat of the face.

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