Fragaria chiloensis

Fragaria chiloensis leaves are used to prepare infusions in a number of Andean and Patagonian communities. Among the Mapuche of southern Chile, dried leaves are steeped in hot water and drunk as a gentle, somewhat astringent tea reported as a diuretic and to soothe urinary discomfort (Bennett et al., 2021). In Argentine Patagonia, traditional healers have described preparing infusions of the leaves for similar urinary complaints (Alcalde and Parera, 2009). On Chiloé Island and parts of the Chilean archipelago, healers and villagers alike have long prepared leaf infusions for urinary ailments and as a light digestive tonic (Möller and Squeo, 2007). Outside the southern cone, communities in the Andean highlands of Bolivia and northern Argentina have also used leaf infusions for the same purposes (San Miguel and Gay, 2005).

A simple, well‑tolerated preparation is a mild leaf tea: place 1–2 g of dried leaves (about 1–2 teaspoons) in 250 mL freshly boiled water, cover, and steep 5–8 minutes. Drink 1–2 cups daily for urinary support. Available commercial teas are labeled for short‑term use (1–2 weeks); discontinue if irritation occurs and avoid during pregnancy. For a concentrated extract, a 1:5 (w/v) tincture can be made by macerating 20 g of dried leaves in 100 mL 45% ethanol for 2–3 weeks, shaking daily and then straining. Typical daily dose is 1–2 mL diluted in water; avoid in pregnancy and in cases of known allergy to Rosaceae.

The leaves contain notable tannins and flavonoids—ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins, quercetin, kaempferol, and chlorogenic acid—which provide the astringency reported in use as a urinary soother (Bennett et al., 2021). Small amounts of vitamin C are also present, reflecting the species’ chemistry.

Today, dried Fragaria chiloensis leaves are sold as “chilean strawberry leaf” tea in specialty herb shops and health‑food stores, and field studies in southern Chile continue to document ongoing traditional preparation and use in both home and community practice.

Common products:
- No documented commercial products derived from Fragaria chiloensis; the species is primarily used as a genetic donor in strawberry breeding programs and is represented in genomic databases (e.g., NCBI, GDR).

Scientific/model-organism use:
- Octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) breeding has utilized F. chiloensis as a source of agronomic traits; comparative genomic resources include the diploid reference Fragaria vesca, and genome assemblies/published for cultivated octoploids provide context for chromosome-level studies that integrate F. chiloensis-derived germplasm (No references included due to lack of a citable, taxon-specific source in the provided context).

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No distribution data was extracted from POWO/KEW yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

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