Are Strawberry Leaves Safe for Eating?
This is probably the question running through your mind whilst you read this article. I’m glad you feel that way. We must be careful what we ingest to avoid calling down harm upon ourselves. While most vegetables and fruits are edible and safe for eating, not every part of them goes down well in the body. This principle applies to various foods also. This growing concern prompted a number of scientific studies into the chemical content of the strawberry fruit and leaf. The various research reports came in two opposing groups of opinions.
One group is of the opinion that the strawberry leaf should be served with a rather wary eye. These scientists believe that minute quantities of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) may be contained in the strawberry leaves, as well as in the seeds of the fruit. Now, hydrogen cyanide is toxic to health. However, experts say that chances of finding HCN in strawberry leaves are eliminated in freshly plucked fruits, and dried fruit leaves (since HCN can easily evaporate with the water in the leaves). [2]
The other group is of the opinion that strawberry leaves are very safe for consumption, just like all other herbs. It can be made into tea, powerful with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Strawberry leaves are very healthy and have been tried out on several occasions. [3]
