Strawberries not only have a rich, complex history, but they have interesting symbolism and possess a wealth of health pros. The tiny, crimson fruit can be found all over the world and was consumed by ancient civilizations, although the taste may have been a bit different.
Literary works that include strawberries date back as far as the Roman Empire, but as shared by the University of Vermont, they were used strictly for decorative purposes by the Romans. They also site that though they existed in the 1st century AD, strawberries were not raised in Europe until over a thousand years later.
Dwellers of France began taking wild strawberries and planting their seeds in gardens in the 1300s, and within two centuries, other parts of Europe had followed suit. It must be noted that Native Americans were already enjoying strawberries by the time colonists arrived in Virginia in the 1600s.
We don’t know when the Natives’ relationship with the fruit began, but we do know that they were mixing the berry with cornmeal to make sweet strawberry bread. The colonists took this idea and thus Strawberry Shortcake was born.
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French spies were sent to Chile and upon their return in 1712, they brought back a Chilean strawberry that was much larger than other strawberries Europeans had seen. The strawberries brought from Virginia were crossbred (it is unclear whether this was intentional or not) with the Chilean berries (by the English), which is the closest thing to the strawberries we enjoy today. All modern strawberries are derivatives of this hybrid.
There are a couple of old symbols and legends in place about the strawberry. The Roman goddess Venus was affiliated with strawberries, because she is the embodiment of love and the fruit is red and heart-shaped. Additionally, it was believed to heighten fertility and has been intertwined with the history of the Norse goddess Freyja, and the Virgin Mary.
Legend has it that if you break a strawberry in half and share it with someone, they will fall in love with you. There is also a Native American creation legend that includes strawberries as the Original Woman’s incentive to release anger and reunite with her partner.
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Lastly, strawberries are known for their positive, healthful properties. The berries are anti-aging aids since they offer biotin (a promoter of skin health and hair growth) and an antioxidant that promotes skin elasticity. Strawberries can alternatively be used as a part of one’s skincare regimen!
A face mask made up of 4-5 strawberries and a tablespoon of honey is good for hyperpigmentation and removing dead skin cells. Strawberries also contain an extract that safeguards from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Getting some much-needed Vitamin C (and phytochemicals) is/are also a plus of a diet that incorporates strawberries. These qualities give the nervous system a boost.
There may have been something to the idea of strawberries being linked to the heart because the fruit helps maintain heart health. Research conducted at Harvard revealed that flavonoids that are found in strawberries can lessen the risk of a heart attack by over 30%.
Since strawberries are packed with potassium, they are advised to be eaten by those who have high blood pressure. According to Medical News Today, the “potassium counteracts the effects of sodium”.
In closing, strawberries carry an age-old symbol of love that has an interesting backstory that spans the globe. The sweet treats are also a delicious, healthy snack that can give your body what it needs to keep going!
Brooklyn White is a journalist with content featured on Teen Vogue, Rookie Mag, and Bitch Media.
