Medical Uses For Bilberry - Vaccinium Myrtillus
Other Common Names: Airelle, Arandano, Black Whortles,
Bleaberry, Blueberry, British Bilberry, Cayuzumu, Dwarf Bilberry,
Huckleberry, Hurtleberry, Hurts, Trackleberry, Whinberry,
Whortle-berry, Whortleberry, Vaccinium myrtillus. The name Bilberry (by
some old writers 'Bulberry') is derived from the Danish 'bollebar,'
meaning dark berry.
Range: Britain; Europe; Spain; Turkey
Habitat: Heaths, moors and woods on acid soils to 1250 metres
The dried leaves of bilberries are used in the treatment of a
variety of complaints. These leaves should be harvested in early
autumn, only green leaves being selected, and then dried in gentle
heat. The leaves should not be used medicinally for more than 3 weeks
at a time.
A tea made from the dried leaves is strongly astringent, diuretic,
tonic and an antiseptic for the urinary tract. It is also a remedy for
diabetes if taken for a prolonged period. Another report says that the
leaves can be helpful in pre-diabetic states but that they are not an
alternative to conventional treatment. The leaves contain
glucoquinones, which reduce the levels of sugar in the blood.
A decoction of the leaves or bark is applied locally in the
treatment of ulcers and in ulceration of the mouth and throat. A
distilled water made from the leaves is an excellent eyewash for
soothing inflamed or sore eyes.
Whilst the fresh fruit has a slightly laxative effect upon the body,
when dried it is astringent and is commonly used in the treatment of
diarrhea etc. The dried fruit is also antibacterial and a decoction is
useful for treating diarrhea in children. The skin of the fruits
contains anthocyanin and is specific in the treatment of hemeralopia
(day-blindness). The fruit is a rich source of anthocyanosides, which
have been shown experimentally to dilate the blood vessels, this makes
it a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, hemorrhoids and
capillary fragility.
Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and very tasty, they make an excellent
preserve, their small seeds making them suitable for jam (jelly). A
slightly acid flavor when eaten raw. The fruit can be dried and used
like currants. The fruit is up to 10mm in diameter.A tea is made from the leaves.
Other Species: V. arboreum, or Farkleberry. This is the most
astringent variety, and both berries and root-bark may be used
internally for diarrhea, chronic dysentery, etc. The infusion is
valuable as a local application in sore throat, chronic ophthalmia,
leucorrhoea, etc.
V. resinosum, V. damusum, and V. gorymbosum have properties resembling those of V. myrtillus.
The Bog Bilberry ( V. uliginosum) is a smaller, less erect plant,
with round stems and untoothed leaves, greyish green beneath. Both
flowers and berries are smaller than those of the common Bilberry.
The berries of both species are a favorite food of birds.
The 'Huckleberry' of North America, so widely appreciated there, is
the British Bilberry - the name being an obvious corruption of
'Whortleberry.'
- Grieve. M. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Other Common Names: Airelle, Arandano, Black Whortles,
Bleaberry, Blueberry, British Bilberry, Cayuzumu, Dwarf Bilberry,
Huckleberry, Hurtleberry, Hurts, Trackleberry, Whinberry,
Whortle-berry, Whortleberry, Vaccinium myrtillus. The name Bilberry (by
some old writers 'Bulberry') is derived from the Danish 'bollebar,'
meaning dark berry.
Range: Britain; Europe; Spain; Turkey
Habitat: Heaths, moors and woods on acid soils to 1250 metres
The dried leaves of bilberries are used in the treatment of a
variety of complaints. These leaves should be harvested in early
autumn, only green leaves being selected, and then dried in gentle
heat. The leaves should not be used medicinally for more than 3 weeks
at a time.
A tea made from the dried leaves is strongly astringent, diuretic,
tonic and an antiseptic for the urinary tract. It is also a remedy for
diabetes if taken for a prolonged period. Another report says that the
leaves can be helpful in pre-diabetic states but that they are not an
alternative to conventional treatment. The leaves contain
glucoquinones, which reduce the levels of sugar in the blood.
A decoction of the leaves or bark is applied locally in the
treatment of ulcers and in ulceration of the mouth and throat. A
distilled water made from the leaves is an excellent eyewash for
soothing inflamed or sore eyes.
Whilst the fresh fruit has a slightly laxative effect upon the body,
when dried it is astringent and is commonly used in the treatment of
diarrhea etc. The dried fruit is also antibacterial and a decoction is
useful for treating diarrhea in children. The skin of the fruits
contains anthocyanin and is specific in the treatment of hemeralopia
(day-blindness). The fruit is a rich source of anthocyanosides, which
have been shown experimentally to dilate the blood vessels, this makes
it a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, hemorrhoids and
capillary fragility.
Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and very tasty, they make an excellent
preserve, their small seeds making them suitable for jam (jelly). A
slightly acid flavor when eaten raw. The fruit can be dried and used
like currants. The fruit is up to 10mm in diameter.A tea is made from the leaves.
Other Species: V. arboreum, or Farkleberry. This is the most
astringent variety, and both berries and root-bark may be used
internally for diarrhea, chronic dysentery, etc. The infusion is
valuable as a local application in sore throat, chronic ophthalmia,
leucorrhoea, etc.
V. resinosum, V. damusum, and V. gorymbosum have properties resembling those of V. myrtillus.
The Bog Bilberry ( V. uliginosum) is a smaller, less erect plant,
with round stems and untoothed leaves, greyish green beneath. Both
flowers and berries are smaller than those of the common Bilberry.
The berries of both species are a favorite food of birds.
The 'Huckleberry' of North America, so widely appreciated there, is
the British Bilberry - the name being an obvious corruption of
'Whortleberry.'
- Grieve. M. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
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