Juicy, sweet or tart, a cherry bursts in your mouth; it tastes wonderful and is remarkably healthy—both a nourishing food and a healing remedy. In Japan, the sakura (the cherry blossom) is celebrated as a symbol of feminine sexuality and fleeting beauty. But do you know its darker side? In European myths, elves and fairies dance in the moonlight around the cherry tree—and woe to anyone who watches them…

History of the Cherry

In Stone Age settlements, pits of the bird cherry—the wild ancestor of today’s sweet cherry—have been discovered. Both sweet and sour cherry trees originated in Anatolia. As early as 400 BCE, they were cultivated around the city of Kerasus in what is now Turkey, and the very name “cherry” derives from “Kerasus.”

As one of the world’s oldest fruit varieties, the cherry spread along the Silk Road into East and West. Romans and Greeks prized cherries both as food and within medicinal diets. Throughout the Middle Ages, cherries were grown in monastery gardens for their nourishing and healing properties. Even then, they were coveted and expensive, reserved for the nobility. It wasn’t until the 18th century that sweet cherries and sour cherries were formally distinguished as separate varieties.

Mythology

In Japan, the famous sakura blossoms are celebrated each year and stand as a deeply rooted symbol of beauty and impermanence, since cherry trees bloom for only about two weeks. Sakura evokes delicate, youthful female beauty—a seductive moment of awakening, a bloom entwined with geisha tradition.

In Europe, however, cherry lore takes a darker turn: mischievous elves and fairies are said to dance around the cherry tree by moonlight, and disaster befell anyone who watched them. Folklore holds that the souls of the departed linger near cherry trees. In ancient Greece, the cherry tree was sacred to Artemis, goddess of the hunt, virginity, and the moon. In both Japan and Europe, the cherry embodies transience—a profound reminder that all life is fleeting.

Botany and Habitat

Cherry trees belong to the rose family (Rosaceae) and the genus Prunus, which also includes plums and mirabelles. The most familiar species are the sweet cherry (*Prunus avium*), the sour cherry (*Prunus cerasus*), and the Japanese flowering cherry (*Prunus serrulata*).

These trees form graceful, symmetrical crowns of alternately arranged, toothed leaves. In spring, their magnificent pink or white blossoms attract pollinating insects. Cherry trees are shallow-rooted, sending strong roots horizontally through the soil.

They thrive in temperate climates and prefer well-drained, nutrient-rich, calcareous soils.

Cultivation, Harvest and Use

Cherries are traditionally hand-picked to protect their delicate skin. They fit beautifully into agroforestry systems—edible forest gardens—and contribute to biodiversity by providing habitat for birds and insects.

Beyond simply eating them fresh, cherry wood—harder than oak with a warm reddish hue—is prized for fine furniture. In Japan, cherry blossoms lend their floral aroma to teas, pastries, and the sought-after cherry blossom honey.

Both sweet and sour cherries have a place in medicine, used to prevent and alleviate various ailments.

Traditional Herbal Medicine

Naturopath employ cherry leaves, fruit, and stems to relieve gout and rheumatic complaints, valuing their diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Hippocrates and Galen regarded cherries as easily digestible, nourishing fruits that help balance the body’s humors, particularly the blood.

Rational Phytotherapy and Modern Research

Cherries are rich in minerals—potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc—and vitamins B1, B2, B6, folate, and C, making them especially beneficial for pregnant women, as they support blood formation and cell division.

Their anti-inflammatory power comes from polyphenols—especially anthocyanins, which are more abundant in sour cherries—and these compounds are linked to heart-protective and blood-pressure-regulating effects, potentially helping to prevent arterial calcification.

Cherries also contain melatonin, which can promote deeper, longer sleep when enjoyed in the evening.

In Summary

Both traditional wisdom and modern science attest that cherries may help prevent or even alleviate lifestyle diseases—gout, rheumatism, heart disease, hypertension, insomnia—while delivering a wealth of minerals and vitamins. Enjoy sweet or sour cherries whenever you can!

Practical Tips

• Season: Mid-May to October
• Picking: Harvested with the stem attached, cherries will last longer and taste better.
• Uses: Cherry juice, cherry cake, jams – let your imagination run wild
• Preservation: A classic home recipe is jarred sour cherries (Morellos). They are easy to make, extend your cherry season year-round, and support your family’s health.
• Teas: Dried cherry leaves and dehydrated cherries blend beautifully into health, flavorful herbal teas