Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus

Bilberry is widespread, but prefers the acid soils of marsh lands, bogs, and coniferous forests to more alkaline ground. This low-growing, deciduous shrub seldom gets above 20 inches tall. The branches are green and angular. The leaves are oval shaped, slightly dentate, and bright green. The flowers are bell-shaped and greenish-pink. The fruit that is used for medicinal and eating purposes looks as if it has been in a fight: it's black-and-blue all over!

Anthocyanosides, the bioflavonoid complex in bilberries, are potent antioxidants. They support normal formation of connective tissue and strengthen capillaries in the body; Anthocyanosides may also improve capillary and venous blood flow.

The fruit contains about 0.5% anthocyanosides, vitamins B1 and C, pro-vitamin A, 7% tannins, and plant acids. The anthocyanosides have a tonic effect on the blood vessels.

Other names

• Black Whortleberry
• Blueberry
• Burren Myrtle
• Dyeberry
• Huckleberry
• Hurtleberry
• Whinberry
• Whortleberry
• Whorts
• Wineberry

Parts used

Fruit, leaves.

Uses

Ripe bilberries are mildly laxative due to their fruit sugar content. The dried hit, however, is markedly binding and has an antibacterial action. A decoction of the dried fruit is useful for treating diarrhea in children. Bilberry's high anthocyanin content makes it a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and capillary fragility. A decoction of the fruit is used as a mouthwash. The leaves may be helpful in prediabetic states but are not an alternative to conventional treatment. They may be taken for urinary tract infections.

Habitat & cultivation

Bilberry is native to Europe and North America. Bilberry  thrives in heath land, on moors, and in moist undergrowth. The fruit and leaves are collected in summer.

Constituents

Bilberry contains tannins, sugars, fruit acids, glucoquinone, glycosides.

How much to take

People often take 240-480 mg per day of bilberry herbal extract in capsules or tablets standardized to provide 25 % anthocyanosides.

Side effects

In recommended amounts, there are no known side effects with bilberry extract. Bilberry does not interact with commonly prescribed medications, and there are no known contraindications to its use during pregnancy or lactation.

Applications

FRUIT:

FRESH - Eat a large bowl of the whole fresh berries (with sugar and milk or cream, if preferred) for constipation.

JUICE - The unsweetened juice is most effective for diarrhea: take in 10 ml doses.

DECOCTION - Take one glass daily for chronic diarrhea.

MOUTHWASH - Use the diluted juice for ulcers and gum inflammations.

LOTION - Dilute the juice with an equal amount of witch hazel to make a cooling lotion for sunburn and skin inflammations.

POWDER - For babies and infants with diarrhea: mix 75 mg per 1 lb body weight into the baby's bottle.

LEAVES:

INFUSION - Take as an adjunct to dietary controls in late-onset, non- insulin-dependent diabetes.

MOUTHWASH/GARGLE - Use for ulcers and throat inflammations.

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