If you have been paying good money for strawberries and discarding the tops, you are throwing money down the drain. Hopefully, after reading this, you will no longer throw your strawberry tops away.
You probably know that the skin of fruits and vegetables have nutrients in them and are edible. You can surely eat without harm the peels of oranges, bananas, grapes, apples, and potato skins.
Strawberries tops are safe to eat. Besides they are very flavorful and healthy because the are packed with vitamins. They also contain traces of minerals such as iron, and calcium. The leaves aid in digestion, help alleviate an upset stomach, reduce symptoms of nausea, bloating, stomach cramps and diarrhea.
In the kitchen
When you make smoothies, just throw the whole strawberries into the blender after you wash them. There is absolutely no need to pull off the tops and throw them away.
Drop a handful of strawberry tops in a glass of water and let them soak for a good cup of tea. The longer you keep them in the water, the stronger the water will taste.
Everyone who has tried this say they love the fruity taste. This is good for people who don’t like drinking plain water.
Make alcohol taste even better by putting those little leaves into liquor whether it is rum, vodka, or gin. The drink will turn pink with a delicious strawberry flavor.
Instead of using the same salad dressing all the time, try something different. Mix strawberry tops with vinegar and let set for about an hour. Pour the fresh strawberry leaves concoction on top of your salad for a delicious treat.
Crush the leaves and place them on foods like baked chicken, pork chops and steaks for more flavor. You can also add them to your salads and soups.
For the body
Put strawberry tops in your herbal tea for that extra punch.
Steep leaves in boiled water for a few minutes. Remove the leaves before drinking. The properties in strawberry leaves make for a great laxative and diuretic. Add honey to sweeten it if desired. Drink it either hot or chilled.
Strawberry leaves are a life saver for those who have arthritis. The leaves are loaded with a compound that will remove water from the joints and reduce inflammation to give relief from arthritis.
Boil the leaves in about one cup of water. Drain the leaves, and apply the left over water to your face after it has cooled off. The leaves will add more nutrients than just water, and they help reduce inflammation on your face.
Strawberry leaves help to remove plaque and keep teeth white and healthy.
Dip a strawberry top in baking soda. Rub your teeth and leave on for a couple of minutes. Then brush and rinse as usual. You will see results after just a few uses.
Save for later
If you have no need for strawberry leaves right away, you can put them in a covered container and keep them for a few days, or you can freeze them for a few months. Then take them out to use when needed.