​Fragaria vesca L. (Wild Strawberry, Leaf)

Fragaria vesca L. (Wild Strawberry, Leaf)

Product Name: Земляника лесная, Fragaria vesca, Wald-Erdbeere, Fresa silvestre, Fraisier des bois, الفراولة البرية, สตรอเบอรี่ป่า

Synonyms: Земляничник, клубника дикая, луговая ягода; Wild strawberry leaf, Woodland strawberry; Wild-Erdbeerblatt; Hoja de fresa silvestre; Feuille de fraisier des bois; ورقة الفراولة البرية; ใบสตรอเบอรี่ป่า

Main Indications for the Use of Fragaria vesca: Fatty liver degeneration, chronic cholecystitis, toxic hepatitis, hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic pyelonephritis, acute and chronic cystitis, bacterial vaginosis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, inflammatory gum diseases.

Use of Fragaria vesca in Mixtures and Complexes: Hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, neurasthenia, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammatory processes, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia.

Pharmacological Properties of Fragaria vesca: Antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, diuretic, antimicrobial, hypocholesterolemic, vasoprotective, immunotropic, neuroprotective.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Fragaria vesca

Powder — Fragaria vesca

Indications (Powder): Fatty liver degeneration, hyperglycemia, chronic cystitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atopic dermatitis.

Standard Dosage (Powder): 1.5–2 grams of powder, three times a day before meals, for 20–30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 2.5–3 grams of powder, three times a day for chronic inflammatory kidney diseases, type 2 diabetes in the compensation stage, and persistent hyperlipidemia.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): 4 grams of powder, three times a day for no more than 7 days, allowed for pronounced intoxication syndrome against the background of chronic cholecystitis and acute inflammation of the bladder mucosa.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 1 gram of powder, twice a day, in courses of 14 days monthly; recommended for chronic atherosclerosis, initial forms of hypertension, patients over 50 years of age, and metabolic syndrome.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): 0.3–0.5 grams of powder twice a day for children from 7 years of age with a body weight of 25 kg or more; if necessary — 0.8 g once for adolescents with a body weight of 40 kg or more.

Contraindications (Powder): Individual intolerance, acute gastritis, gastric ulcer; data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 7 years of age have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Powder): With overdose: nausea, diarrhea, headache, increased diuresis are possible — data recorded when using doses over 12 grams per day.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): Patients with body weight below 60 kg — reduce the dosage by 20%. For body weight over 90 kg — an increase in the standard dose to 3 grams per dose is possible.

Preparation method (Powder): Only organic strawberry leaves collected during the flowering phase are used. The raw material is washed in running water, dried in the shade at a temperature of 30–35 degrees Celsius until the veins become brittle. Then ground in a ceramic mortar to a powder state. To prepare 100 grams: take 150 grams of fresh leaf, dry to a residual moisture content of no more than 8%, grind to particles no larger than 0.3 mm, package in an airtight glass container.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): Store in a tightly closed glass container, in the shade, at a temperature not exceeding 22 degrees Celsius, away from sources of EMI and direct light. Shelf life — up to 12 months. After opening the package, use within 30 days.

Extract — Fragaria vesca

Indications (Extract): Chronic cholecystitis, toxic hepatitis, inflammatory gum diseases, allergic rhinitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic prostatitis, bronchial asthma, atherosclerosis.

Standard Dosage (Extract): 300–400 milligrams of dry extract (in terms of raw material) twice a day, on an empty stomach, course 21–30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Extract): 600 milligrams of dry extract twice a day for pronounced inflammation of the biliary tract, hepatitis of various etiologies, and persistent allergic dermatitis.

Maximum Dosage (Extract): 900 milligrams of dry extract three times a day, up to 5 days for exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, active phase of gingivitis, and severe forms of dysbiosis.

Preventive Dosage (Extract): 200 milligrams of extract once a day, in courses of 10 days with a 20-day interval; recommended for patients with chronic rhinitis, neurodermatitis, as well as elderly people with metabolic syndrome.

Pediatric Dosage (Extract): 100 milligrams of dry extract once a day for children from 9 years of age with a body weight of 30 kg or more; in adolescents with a body weight of 45 kg or more, a dose of 150 mg twice a day is allowed.

Contraindications (Extract): Individual hypersensitivity, exacerbation of peptic ulcer, pronounced hypotension; data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 9 years of age have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Extract): Established effects of overdose: frequent urination, decreased blood pressure, dyspepsia, metallic taste in the mouth.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Extract): Patients with body weight less than 60 kg — dose reduction by 25%. For weight over 90 kg — increase in dosage to 500–600 mg in the standard regimen.

Preparation method (Extract): To prepare 100 grams of dry extract, 500 grams of dried leaf are used. The raw material is poured with 70% ethanol in a ratio of 1:10, infused for 48 hours at a temperature of 25–28 degrees Celsius. The extract is filtered, evaporated in a water bath to 20% of the mass, then dried in a vacuum drying chamber at a temperature of 40–45 degrees Celsius until a dry powder extract is obtained. All components are of organic origin.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Extract): Store in an airtight dark glass container at a temperature of 10–18 degrees Celsius, away from sources of heat and electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — up to 18 months. After opening — use within 45 days.

Alcohol-Based Tincture — Fragaria vesca

Indications (Tincture): Chronic pyelonephritis, acute and chronic cystitis, bacterial vaginosis, inflammatory gum diseases, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, chronic cholecystitis, dyspepsia.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): 20 drops (approximately 1 ml), diluted in 50 ml of water, three times a day 20 minutes before meals, course — 21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): 30 drops three times a day, for exacerbation of chronic cystitis, chronic vaginitis, persistent gingivitis, and recurrent sinusitis.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): 40 drops up to 4 times a day, no more than 5 days, for the active phase of infectious inflammation of the genitourinary system and pronounced edema of the respiratory mucosa.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): 10 drops in the morning on an empty stomach, in courses of 10 days monthly. Indicated for patients with recurrent urinary tract infections, as well as persons over 60 years of age with a predisposition to hypersensitivity reactions.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): Data on the safety of use in children under 12 years of age are absent. Use in adolescents from 14 years of age is allowed at a dose of 5 drops twice a day.

Contraindications (Tincture): Alcoholism, severe liver failure, epilepsy, pregnancy, lactation; use in children under 12 years of age is not recommended due to ethanol content.

Side Effects (Tincture): Registered with overdose: dizziness, sensation of heat, palpitations, dyspepsia, short-term increase in blood pressure.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): Patients with body weight less than 60 kg — it is recommended to reduce the standard dose to 15 drops. For body weight over 90 kg — an increase to 25 drops is possible in the standard regimen.

Preparation method (Tincture): To prepare 100 ml of tincture, take 20 grams of dry leaf, pour 100 ml of 40% ethanol (from organic grain). Infuse in dark glass at room temperature (20–22 degrees Celsius) for 10 days. Shake periodically. Then filter through gauze, pour into dark bottles.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): Store in a dark, cool place (10–18 degrees Celsius), away from sources of fire and EMI. Shelf life — up to 24 months. After opening, use within 60 days, store tightly stoppered.

Oil Infusion — Fragaria vesca

Indications (Oil Infusion): Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, inflammatory skin diseases, irritation after insect bites, dry skin, age-related skin changes, fissures of the skin of the hands and feet.

Standard Dosage (Oil Infusion): Externally: apply a thin layer to the affected area 2–3 times a day, course 10–14 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Oil Infusion): Externally: 3–4 times a day, with additional closure with a bandage at night, for pronounced inflammation, weeping eczema, or skin fissures.

Maximum Dosage (Oil Infusion): Up to 6 applications per day, for no more than 5 days, in the active phase of allergic dermatitis or after extensive sunburn.

Preventive Dosage (Oil Infusion): Once a day at night — for dry skin, a tendency to irritation, for the prevention of dermatitis exacerbations, especially in the autumn-winter period in adults and elderly patients.

Pediatric Dosage (Oil Infusion): Applicable from 3 years of age, no more than once a day, on a limited area of skin, with a body weight of 15 kg or more. If necessary — 2 times a day for children from 6 years of age.

Contraindications (Oil Infusion): Individual intolerance, pustular skin lesions. Contraindications during pregnancy and lactation have not been scientifically registered, but it is recommended to avoid application to the chest area.

Side Effects (Oil Infusion): Rarely: redness, itching, increased flaking with overdose or when applied to infected areas.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Oil Infusion): Patients with weight less than 60 kg — reduction of the total area of application. In patients with weight over 90 kg — an increase in the treatment area is allowed; the frequency of application is not adjusted.

Preparation method (Oil Infusion): To prepare 100 grams of infusion, use 20 grams of ground dry leaf and 100 ml of organic cold-pressed oil (almond, olive, or sesame). The mixture is placed in a glass jar, tightly closed and infused for 14 days at a temperature of 28–30 degrees Celsius, shaking daily. Then strain, store in a dark bottle. If necessary — sterilize in a water bath for 15 minutes at 60 degrees Celsius.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Oil Infusion): Store in a dark glass container, at a temperature of 10–18 degrees Celsius, away from light and heat. Shelf life — up to 6 months. After opening — use within 45 days.

Glycerin Extract — Fragaria vesca

Indications (Glycerin Extract): Contact dermatitis, age-related skin changes, sensitive skin, couperose, inflammations of the oral mucosa, allergic rhinitis, irritation after epilation, dryness of the facial skin and eyelids.

Standard Dosage (Glycerin Extract): Externally: apply as part of water-glycerin solutions (5–10%) twice a day, course 14–21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Glycerin Extract): Concentration up to 15% for acute skin inflammations, pronounced vascular reaction, as part of serums, pointwise or under a mask.

Maximum Dosage (Glycerin Extract): Concentration up to 20% is allowed for short-term use — no more than 5 days, for acute irritation after procedures (peeling, wax epilation).

Preventive Dosage (Glycerin Extract): 2–3% solution in spray bottles, once a day on cleansed skin of the face and neck. Recommended for a tendency to irritation, patients with seborrheic skin type, especially in conditions of polluted air and dry climates.

Pediatric Dosage (Glycerin Extract): Local application is allowed at a concentration of no more than 2% in children from 6 years of age, for massage of the area behind the ears, nasolabial triangle, or elbow bends in mild forms of eczema.

Contraindications (Glycerin Extract): Individual intolerance, acute weeping dermatoses. Data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and childhood have not been registered.

Side Effects (Glycerin Extract): With overdose — a feeling of stickiness, skin tightness, rarely — local irritation and flaking at a concentration above 15%.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Glycerin Extract): Not required. Applied externally based on surface area, not body weight.

Preparation method (Glycerin Extract): To prepare 100 ml of extract, take 25 grams of dry ground leaf and 100 ml of a mixture of glycerin (of organic plant origin) and water in a ratio of 60:40. The mixture is poured into a glass container, tightly sealed, infused at a temperature of 25–28 degrees Celsius for 7 days, shaking daily. After filtration, store in a dark container. To increase transparency — filtration through paper and repeated settling is allowed.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Glycerin Extract): Store at a temperature of 10–20 degrees Celsius, in a dark place, in a tightly closed glass container. Avoid overheating and freezing. Shelf life — up to 12 months. After opening — use within 30 days.

Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums — Fragaria vesca

Indications (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): Atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, couperose, dull complexion, age-related skin changes, post-acne, enlarged pores, skin dehydration, photoaging.

Standard Dosage (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): Masks: 5–7% aqueous or glycerin extract, 1–2 times a week for 20 minutes. Scrubs: up to 10% leaf powder in a mild abrasive base, once a week. Toners: 2–3% alcoholic extract, 1–2 times a day. Serums: 3–5% glycerin or alcoholic extract, once a day, in courses of 21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): Masks: up to 10% active component for pronounced couperose or hyperpigmentation. Serums: up to 7% in the presence of wrinkles, skin flaccidity, and loss of turgor. Toners: up to 5% for oily skin with pronounced pores and comedones.

Maximum Dosage (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): 15% in temporary spot masks (up to 10 minutes), once every 5–7 days. No more than a 20-day continuous course. Allowed only for dense, non-sensitive skin.

Preventive Dosage (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): Toners: 1–2% daily morning and evening. Serums: 2% at night in courses of 14 days monthly. Recommended for a tendency to skin dullness, decreased elasticity, smokers, and residents of megacities.

Pediatric Dosage (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): Use is allowed from 10 years of age: scrubs with a powder concentration of no more than 3% once every 10 days, only for acne or oily skin, under adult supervision.

Contraindications (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): Open wounds, active pustular skin infections, individual intolerance. During pregnancy and lactation, external use is allowed; contraindications have not been registered.

Side Effects (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): Rarely: burning, redness, flaking when the concentration is exceeded, especially in serums and peels. In isolated cases — allergic contact dermatitis.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): Not required. The dosage is determined by the area of application and skin type, not body weight.

Preparation method (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): For 100 g of mask: 5 g of leaf powder, 10 g of glycerin extract, 5 g of honey, 10 g of white clay, 70 g of spring water. For scrub: 10 g of powder, 10 g of oat flour, 10 g of jojoba oil, 70 g of hydrolate. For serum: 5 ml of alcoholic extract, 3 ml of panthenol, 2 ml of rosehip oil, 90 ml of distilled water. All components are mixed in glassware. Do not use metal. Store in a dark glass container, shake before use.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Cosmetic Masks, Scrubs, Toners, Serums): Masks and scrubs — in the refrigerator at 5–8 degrees Celsius, up to 14 days. Toners and serums — up to 30 days at a temperature of 10–18 degrees, away from light. Avoid contact with metal and sources of EMI. After opening — use within 10 days.

Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages — Fragaria vesca

Indications (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): Atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic syndrome, reduced antioxidant protection, chronic fatigue.

Standard Dosage (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): 200–300 milligrams of aqueous or alcoholic extract (in terms of dry matter) per serving of product or beverage weighing 200 ml. Consume 1–2 times a day, course — up to 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): Up to 400 milligrams of extract per serving for pronounced lipid metabolism disorders, post-infectious asthenic syndrome, and chronic colitis.

Maximum Dosage (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): 500 milligrams of extract per serving is allowed no more than once a day, for 5 days, for pronounced manifestations of intoxication or as a restorative component after ARVI.

Preventive Dosage (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): 100–150 milligrams of extract per serving, as part of fermented milk products, compotes, or herbal decoctions. Recommended for patients with a hereditary predisposition to atherosclerosis, people over 50 years of age, and during prolonged mental stress. Course — 10 days per month.

Pediatric Dosage (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): Addition of 50–75 milligrams per serving of food or beverage to children from 7 years of age, with a body weight of at least 25 kg, is allowed. No more than once a day, under adult supervision.

Contraindications (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): Severe forms of gastritis with high acidity, acute inflammatory processes in the stomach, individual intolerance. Contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and childhood have not been scientifically registered; however, medical consultation is recommended.

Side Effects (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): With overdose, dyspeptic phenomena are possible: flatulence, rumbling, loosening of stools; in rare cases — allergic rash.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): For body weight less than 60 kg — use the lower limit of the standard dosage. For weight over 90 kg — an increase to 400 mg per serving is allowed.

Preparation method (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): To prepare 100 ml of liquid additive: 10 g of dry leaf powder, 30 ml of boiling water (90 degrees Celsius), infuse for 30 minutes, then combine with 60 ml of fermented fruit base (for example, fermented apple or sea buckthorn juice) and 0.5 g of sea salt. Mix the mixture, cool, filter. Can be added to yogurts, kefir, jelly, fruit drinks, smoothies, and puree soups.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Additive to Food Products/Functional Beverages): Store the finished liquid form in the refrigerator (4–6 degrees Celsius) for up to 5 days. In dry form — at a temperature of 10–20 degrees, in a dark place, for up to 12 months. After opening — use within 3 days.

Seed Oil — Fragaria vesca

Indications (Seed Oil): Atopic dermatitis, age-related skin changes, dry skin, photoaging, thin and sensitive skin, chapped lips and corners of the mouth, brittle nails, irritation after shaving and epilation.

Standard Dosage (Seed Oil): Externally: 2–3 drops on the face or 5–7 drops on the neck and décolleté area, once a day before bedtime, for 21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Seed Oil): 5 drops on the face twice a day — in the active phase of flaking, tightness, pronounced dryness, and irritation after wind or sun.

Maximum Dosage (Seed Oil): Up to 10 drops on the face 3 times a day, no more than 5 days in a row, allowed for acute manifestations of eczema, microcracks, and first-degree burns.

Preventive Dosage (Seed Oil): 1–2 drops applied to damp skin 2–3 times a week, recommended for persons over 40 years of age, living in dry climates, exposed to wind, cold, or polluted environments.

Pediatric Dosage (Seed Oil): Use is allowed in children from 6 years of age, once 1 drop on a dry area (cheeks, elbows, lips), no more than once every 2 days.

Contraindications (Seed Oil): Individual sensitivity, tendency to oily seborrhea. Data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and childhood have not been registered.

Side Effects (Seed Oil): In isolated cases with excessive use — comedogenic effect, increased skin oiliness, rashes in the T-zone.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Seed Oil): Not required. Applied locally according to skin area, independent of body weight.

Preparation method (Seed Oil): For 100 g of oil, 250 g of dried seeds extracted from ripe fruits are used. The seeds are washed, dried, and pressed by cold pressing in a wooden press. The resulting oil is filtered through cloth, settled for 3 days in glass. Additional filtration through a carbon filter is allowed. Only mechanical methods, without solvents.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Seed Oil): Store in a tightly sealed dark glass container at a temperature of 6–10 degrees Celsius, without access to light and EMI. Shelf life — up to 9 months. After opening — use within 30 days, store in the refrigerator.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Fragaria vesca

The assessment of the toxicological safety of Fragaria vesca leaves has been confirmed by a number of in vivo studies. According to experiments on rodents, oral administration of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of strawberry leaves at doses up to 5000 mg/kg body weight did not cause death or pronounced pathological changes, which indicates extremely low acute toxicity. Thus, the LD₅₀ value (lethal dose for 50% of the population) for Fragaria vesca leaf extracts exceeds 5000 mg/kg, which qualifies the plant as practically non-toxic according to WHO classification.

In 28-day subchronic toxicity studies in laboratory animals, administration of the extract at a dosage of up to 1000 mg/kg/day did not show changes in liver, kidney, blood parameters, or behavioral reactions, which indicates a good biosafety profile.

The absence of mutagenic and teratogenic effects in Ames tests and in vivo tests using leaf extracts has also been established. The allergenic potential is extremely low, especially in comparison with Fragaria vesca berries, which more often provoke hypersensitivity reactions.

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

Pharmacodynamics — Fragaria vesca

Fragaria vesca leaves demonstrate pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, vasoprotective, and immunotropic effects with systemic and local use. Active polyphenolic compounds (flavonoids, ellagitannins, phenolic acids) effectively neutralize reactive oxygen species, inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, prostaglandins) in macrophages and endothelium, suppress COX and LOX activity, modulate NF-κB and MAPK signaling cascades, reduce vascular permeability, and enhance antioxidant protection of the skin and vascular endothelium. Locally, it is used in dermatological products as a soothing, moisturizing, and vessel-strengthening agent. The main targets: macrophages, endothelial cells, enzyme systems of inflammation, and skin ion channel receptors.

References:
- Studies on hydrogels based on Fragaria vesca leaf extract demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and good tolerability (Antioxidants 2020) tandfonline.com+7mdpi.com+7researchgate.net+7
- Bioactivity of Fragaria vesca leaves (Joana Liberal et al.) confirmed the suppression of nitrite production by macrophages and inhibition of proteasomes researchgate.net+1researchgate.net+1

Pharmacokinetics — Fragaria vesca

After oral administration, the active polyphenolic compounds (flavonoids, ellagitannins) are partially absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and then undergo metabolism by the microflora (hydrolysis of ellagitannins to ellagic acid), then pass through the phase of hepatic biotransformation (glucuronidation, sulfation). They are distributed mainly in the liver, kidneys, skin, and mucous membranes. They are excreted in the form of metabolites — with urine and bile. With external use, local absorption is provided, penetration into the epidermis and dermis, accumulation in the skin, without causing systemic effects. Extracts and infusions are characterized by low bioavailability, which is compensated by the use of concentrates and local forms.

Reference: Literature review — reception and metabolism of polyphenols with the participation of microflora and the liver.

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale — Fragaria vesca

Fixed polyphenols (quercetin, kaempferol, ellagitannins) in the leaves act as neutralizers of free radicals and inhibitors of enzymatic pathways of inflammation (COX, LOX, iNOS). These compounds modulate NF-κB and MAPK signaling cascades, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) and mediators. The study revealed inhibition of NO production in macrophages, suppression of proteasomes, and stimulation of autophagy in inflamed cells. Ellagitannins also inhibit tyrosinase, reducing the activity of this enzyme and exerting an anti-melanogenic effect pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+12mdpi.com+12researchgate.net+12. Anthocyanins and phenolic acids dilate blood vessels, stabilize the endothelium, and increase angioprotection pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2researchgate.net+2mdpi.com+2.

Synergy — Fragaria vesca

In vitro and in vivo data confirm the synergistic effect of Fragaria vesca polyphenols with other plant ingredients, enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Combinations with other polyphenolic extracts (for example, from hibiscus flowers, nettle leaves, rose hips) demonstrate an additive effect in the suppression of NF-κB and scavenging of ROS. Potentiating synergy in protective action on the skin is also due to local communication with vitamins C and E, antioxidant system enzymes, and plant lipids, which enhance the epidermal barrier and promote regeneration.

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine — Fragaria vesca

Fragaria vesca has a wide geography of traditional use, covering Europe, North Asia, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, Iran, the Himalayas, and temperate regions of North America. The plant is found in the undergrowth of mixed and deciduous forests, on edges, in ravines, and in areas with a temperate-humid climate. For centuries, both fruits and leaves have been used, with the latter playing an important role in traditional healing systems.

In East Slavic and West Slavic cultures, wild strawberry leaves were used in the form of infusions and decoctions for internal use and external washing. In the folk healing tradition, the leaves were considered a "herb for internal fire" and were used for steamings, poultices, and baths. In Rus', they were also used as a component of herbal mixtures used in baths and birth rituals. Traditionally, strawberry leaves were collected on Trinity Week or on the day of Peter and Paul, when the plant was considered to have the greatest power.

In Western European phytotherapy, especially in Germany, France, and Switzerland, strawberry leaves were part of medicinal herbal mixtures with astringent and cleansing properties. In the village herbs of Bavaria and the Alpine region, the leaves were infused in wine vinegar or diluted alcohol and used for rubbing the skin, including for freckles and redness. French herbalists used leaf infusions for washing infants and women after childbirth — as a remedy that promotes body recovery.

In Armenian, Georgian, and Iranian traditions, strawberry leaves were part of healing mixtures known as "mountain cleansing herbs." They were used in tinctures and steam inhalations in combination with mint, thyme, and fig leaves. In the folk medicine of the mountain peoples of the Caucasus, the leaves were also used as a steam for colds, and in Dagestani tradition — in ritual mixtures aimed at cleansing the house and expelling the "sick spirit."

In Tibetan and Mongolian medicine, the plant is found in formulations under the name "deshe-ser" and is considered cooling and calming. Use was recorded both in the form of dry mixtures and as part of oil extracts. In Tibetan pharmacology, strawberry leaves were part of complexes that regulate internal "bile heat" and balance "wind" in the body.

Among the Cherokee and Delaware Native Americans, strawberry leaves were collected during the spring equinox and used in the form of poultices, and were also part of herbal smoking mixtures. In shamanic practices, they were used as a ritual plant for purifying space, especially in women's rites of passage and initiation. Among the tribes of northwestern Canada, the leaves were used in wraps and rubs based on animal fats.

In the folklore and ritual practice of different peoples, wild strawberry leaves were considered a plant with cleansing and restorative properties. They were often woven into wreaths for protection from diseases, and in South Slavic tradition — mixed into incense during the consecration of a house. In Balkan culture, the leaves could be burned in a "cleansing fire" before the new moon. Thus, the ethnomedical and ritual tradition of using Fragaria vesca leaves has a centuries-old history, covering both medicinal and symbolic aspects in various cultural areas.