Bilberry is a shrub closely related to the blueberry plant, and is also known as huckleberry and whortleberry. The berries are used for food items such as preserves and pies. The medicinal aspect of bilberry has been explored for centuries, and the berries as well as the leaves of the bilberry plant are used and sold commercially for medicinal purposes.
Plant Features
Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, is a perennial shrub grown in the United States, Canada, Europe and northern Asia. "The Flora of North America" states that this shrub has bright green leaves, and produces small pink, cream or white blossoms in the late spring to summer. These flowers produce dark-colored berries which ripen in late summer. The bilberry plant is found growing in locations such as coniferous forests, moraines, or rocky soils, and heaths, which are areas with dry, acidic ground populated primarily with small shrubs.
History
Bilberry is native to Northern Europe, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, where the plant has been used for almost 1,000 years in European medicine. Additionally, a variety of Native American tribes, including the Kootenai, Carrier and Shuswap tribes, used bilberry as a medicinal therapy. British fighter pilots in World War II reported that their night vision improved when they ate bilberry jam. Bilberry has also been used historically for the relief of diarrhea and scurvy.
Current Usage
Bilberry is used to treat menstrual cramps, diarrhea, vision problems, and various circulatory complications such as atherosclerosis and varicose veins. Bilberry is also used as a treatment for individuals with diabetes.
Chemical Ingredients
Bilberry contains a chemical component called anthocyanoside. This chemical, according to the University of Michigan Health System, is involved in helping the eye function better at night. Anthocyanides have strong antioxidant properties, and consequently work to combat the effects of harmful free radicals.
Using Bilberry
Bilberries taste similar to blueberries, and are a nutritious addition to the diet. They can be eaten fresh or dried, or in preserves and pies.
Bilberry is available for medicinal use in tea, tincture or capsule form. Health food markets may carry bilberry supplements, or bilberry products may be ordered from reputable dietary supplement manufacturers. No side effects have been noted from using bilberry; however, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that high doses of the herb may be toxic. When using bilberry for medicinal purposes, the guidance of a health care provider is recommended.
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