Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
The shared “fragariae folium” monograph includes Fragaria viridis Weston. This profile is limited to the parts and preparations described in it.
The collective source concerns leaves, without evidence specific to each species; it does not concern fruits.
Also known as: No synonyms listed.
A common name and photograph do not guarantee identification. Check the botanical name and part indicated on a traceable product.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Mild diarrhea or urinary drainage
Comminuted leaves as herbal tea: traditional group uses for mild diarrhoea or minor urinary symptoms with adequate fluids. Fruits and other preparations are not covered; species-specific benefit is unproven.
Use considered plausible in a traditional-use monograph. That status alone does not demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- Source-listed contraindicationAllergy to the substance or preparation.Source
- PrecautionUrinary use is not recommended when fluid restriction is prescribed; adequate fluid intake is required.Source
- PrecautionFever, painful urination, spasms or blood in the urine require medical advice. The herb alone is not a treatment for urinary infection.Source
Medicine interactions
- Insufficient dataNo interaction studies were performed according to the revised monograph. Compatibility with medicines remains undetermined.Source
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- Stop use if an unexpected reaction occurs; limited data do not mean absence of risk.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Insufficient data: medicinal use is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This data gap is distinct from an established contraindication.
SourceChildren & adolescents
Medicinal use is not recommended below 12 years because data are insufficient; adult preparations and doses cannot be extrapolated.
SourceIf symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Forms & how they are used
DOCUMENTED FORMS
One plant, several preparations.
Only forms documented in this profile’s sources are presented.
InfusionLeaves · Route: oral
Preparation described in the shared monograph.
Please note: Follow the product's package leaflet; concentrations are not interchangeable.
Read the sourceUnderstanding the plant’s actions
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
How does the plant act?
The part concerned is the leaf of F. viridis. The monograph brings together several strawberry species and does not provide an isolated clinical demonstration for this one. Eating strawberries and using a medicinal leaf are two distinct situations.
Constituents to know.
Their presence and quantity depend on the plant part and preparation.
- Phenolic compounds
- A study compares chlorogenic acid, rutin and hyperoside in the leaves and fruits of strawberry plants grown side by side.Read the reference
Intestinal or urinary comfort
Both uses remain traditional. Their coexistence does not demonstrate a single mechanism or make the plant a treatment for infection.
Use considered plausible in a traditional-use monograph. That status alone does not demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Read the referenceWhat this means for preparation.
When reading a Fragaria study, first check leaf or fruit, then species and preparation. A fruit variety cultivated for its taste is not automatically documented as a medicinal plant.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
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.
Comparing species without mixing up organs
Laboratory or animal observation. A human benefit cannot be inferred from this finding alone.
- Type of research
- Analytical study without human participants
- Preparation concerned
- F. viridis compared with two other strawberry species; leaves and fruits analyzed separately.
- Observed results
- Variations in content are investigated under shared growing conditions.
- Limitations to consider
- These measurements demonstrate neither an antidiarrhoeal effect nor increased urine output. Fruit results do not automatically describe the leaf.
What can we take from this?
A polyphenol-rich composition is not a clinical outcome. This profile does not allow predictions of efficacy, speed of action or equivalence between strawberry species.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- EMA — fragariae foliumAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Variation in chlorogenic acid, rutin and hyperoside in three Fragaria species (2013)Accessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — final shared assessment of strawberry leaves (2019)Accessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — Fragaria, feuilles, monographie finale révision 1 (EMA/HMPC/10134/2024)Accessed on 09/10/2026
Image: OL · CC BY 4.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.
