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

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