Medicinal Forest Fruits

In short: Wild raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries and strawberries contain more vitamins and antioxidants than cultivated varieties. Blackberries have the highest vitamin E content of any fruit, cranberries keep bacteria from forming films in the urinary tract, and regular cranberry consumption is linked to roughly a quarter lower heart attack risk. Blueberries keep their properties after freezing.

Long before cultivated apple trees, pear trees and other fruit trees reached our lands, wild forest fruits represented practically the only source of fruit. Even today, millions of people venture into the forests to gather them.

Besides their excellent taste, they have very positive effects on the human body - all of them stimulate metabolism and suppress high cholesterol levels in the blood. In terms of vitamin and medicinal compound content, wild forest fruits far surpass cultivated varieties.

In addition to berries, herbalists often use the leaves of wild fruit plants, from which teas, tinctures, compresses or ointments can be prepared.

Beneficial Raspberries

Raspberries are among the most popular types of wild fruits, and people often grow them in gardens as well. Raspberries can be consumed fresh or as part of various dishes, most commonly desserts.

They are used as a remedy against fever and colds, as a very powerful antioxidant, quick help for anaemia or for treating night blindness. Thanks to their biotin content, the beauty vitamin, they are highly valued in the cosmetics industry. They also contain vitamin C, A, iron and zinc.

Raspberry seeds, like strawberry seeds, have mild aphrodisiac effects. Moreover, they contain a wealth of valuable oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids and protect against harmful UV radiation.

Blackberries Against Stress and Nervousness

Blackberries, similar to raspberries, have the ability to help with colds, fever and inflammation, and are also effective in fighting rheumatism. At the same time, they protect the body from the adverse effects of everyday stress.

Blackberries have a positive effect on diarrhoea and lowering blood pressure. Of all types of fruit, they have the highest vitamin E content. In addition, they are an excellent source of antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, iron and folic acid. Thanks to these substances, blackberries are effective in preventing colon cancer.

Given the growing popularity of blackberries, many varieties bred for garden cultivation are appearing on the market. These are usually very hardy and resilient plants providing abundant harvests. They tolerate dry locations as well, but plenty of light is important. Today, thornless varieties suitable for children have also been bred. However, these sometimes need protection from severe frosts during colder winters.

Blueberries in the Fight Against Ageing

Blueberries have been known as a medicinal remedy since ancient times. Today they are probably the most consumed wild fruit. They have their place in treating diarrhoea, varicose veins and improving eyesight.

Blueberries have the most significant impact on various signs of aging - they can slow down memory loss, improve muscle motor function, and regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Consuming blueberries also supports the immune system, particularly resistance against bacteria and viruses.

Blueberries are equally effective in improving blood circulation and the circulatory system. They can also serve as prevention against prostate problems. A major benefit is the antioxidant effect of blueberries, which can help in the fight against cancer. Blueberries also reduce stress and feelings of anxiety.

Blueberries retain their healing properties even after freezing, preserving, or other heat treatment. Therefore, you don't need to worry about them losing their effects during storage or baking.

While wild blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) don't usually thrive well in gardens, you can grow related or similar plants. The well-known honeysuckle berries or Amelanchier berries, which form tall shrubs, aren't actually blueberries at all, but they taste similar and have some comparable healing effects. The closest relative to blueberries is the highbush blueberry, also called garden blueberry, large-fruited or Canadian blueberry.

Cranberries Against Heart Attack

In our region, this is relatively rare fruit found at higher altitudes. We usually find them growing alongside blueberries, to which they're related. They're also very similar to blueberries, recognizable by their rounder, glossier leaves and especially by the red color of their berries. In terms of taste, they're less distinctive and more tart than blueberries, and need to be left to ripen thoroughly. Cranberries can also be quite easily found dried and sweetened, but these come from farms and plantations, so the content of healing substances in these berries is lower.

Cranberries are known especially for their ability to treat kidney and urinary tract infections. Consuming these fruits prevents bacteria from forming colonies, so-called bacterial films. Individual bacteria can then be easily eliminated from the body, and their resistance to medication is significantly reduced.

A less known but very interesting property of cranberries is preventing heart attacks. With regular consumption of this fruit, the risk of developing this very common disease decreases by about a quarter.

Other benefits of cranberries include cancer prevention and prostate problem prevention. Moreover, they fight bacteria in dental plaque and thus reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Cranberries can be preserved, dried, or frozen. Cranberry juice also tastes excellent.

Dietary Strawberries

Wild strawberry grows in bright spots in forests, meadows and field edges. Its fruits beautifully perfume the surroundings. We can pick the tiny strawberries from May until the end of summer. Apart from many positive effects on our organism, this is also a fruit that tastes sweet but doesn't contain many calories.

Strawberries are among the most powerful antioxidants, they support blood circulation and blood formation, and also have aphrodisiac effects. Overall, they strengthen the immune system, have antibacterial and diuretic effects. They influence the metabolism of salts and water in the body (dehydrating), support the growth of new cells, have a beneficial effect on skin, hair, nails and bone strength. They help the proper function of the liver, gallbladder and thyroid gland, prevent the formation of urinary, kidney and gallstones. Like other forest fruits, strawberries also help lower blood pressure.

Thanks to their content of antioxidants and other substances, strawberries help improve short-term memory and additionally increase resistance to radiation.

As an alternative to wild strawberries, you can grow alpine strawberries in your garden. The content of substances is similar to wild strawberries, and unlike garden strawberries, they will delight you with their fruits all summer long.

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