Whortleberry

This large genus includes some 450 species of evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous, often stoloniferous, shrubs and trees that occur in a wide range of habitats from the tropics to the arctic. The most important species medicinally are cranberries (American Vaccinium macrocarpon, and European V. myrtillus), and blueberries (mainly from the American V. corymbosum). Cranberries were an important item in the winter diet of native N Americans, being an essential ingredient of pemmican, made from crushed dried berries, meat, and fat. They were first cultivated in 1816 and now constitute a major agricultural crop in areas of sandy marshes and wet coastal meadows in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. The medicinal use of cranberries to treat urinary tract disorders was first investigated scientifically in the 19th century, and early observations concluded that the therapeutic effects depended on their high acidity. It is now thought that cranberry juice contains a polymer that prevents bacterial colonization of tissues in the urinary tract. Pure cranberry juice is about as sour as lemon juice; it is sweetened mainly with corn syrup, blended with sweeter fruits, or processed into powder for capsules. Research into the beneficial effects of bilberry and blueberry fruits is focused on their high content of anthocyanosides, which in commercial preparations is standardized at 25-36 percent. These substances have potent antioxidant effects, improving blood flow to skin, eyes, and nervous system, and thus preventing microcirculatory deterioration that results in mental and physical aging. In addition, the leaves of V. myrtillus contain glucoquinones, which reduce blood sugar levels. Vaccilium myrtillus is seldom cultivated but bilberries are commonly harvested from the wild in Europe. Highbush blueberries, derived from V. corymbosum, are grown on a large scale in the USA, Australia and New Zealand; there are numerous cultivars. Arbutin, which acts as a urinary antiseptic, is present in most Vaccinium species, and in other members of the heather family, such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (See, Bearberry). Leaves of V. vitis-idaea (cowberry), which contain up to 7 percent arbutin, are used to treat urinary tract infections, cystitis, diabetes, and diarrhea.

Used since the sixteenth century as a medicinal herb, the fruit of this ornamental shrub contains flavonoids and anthocyanin, which help strengthen capillaries and thin the blood. Bilberry also stimulates the release of vasodilators, thus reducing the formation of dangerous clots and lowering blood pressure. Studies have shown that bilberry improves night vision and the ability to see again after being exposed to glaring light at night.

Deciduous shrub with creeping rhizomes, erect green stems, and glossy, ovate-elliptic, bright green leaves, 1-3cm (½-1¼in) long. Pendent bell-shaped, greenish pink flowers, 6mm (¼in) long, appear in late spring and early summer, followed by spherical, blue-black fruits, 6-10mm (¼-½in) across.


Common Name:
Whortleberry
Other Names:
Airelle, Bilberry, Bleaberry, Burren Myrtle, Dyeberry, Huckleberry, Hurtleberry, Trackleberry, Wineberry
Botanical Name:
Vaccinium myrtillus
Genus:
Vaccinium
Family:
Ericaceae
Native Location:
Europe to N Asia
Cultivation:
Moist, peaty or sandy, lime-free soil in sun or partial shade. Trim in spring to encourage bushy growth.
Propagation:
By seed sown in autumn (species only); by greenwood cuttings of deciduous species in early summer; by semi-ripe cuttings of evergreen species in mid- to late summer; by layering in late summer.
Harvest:
Leaves are picked in spring and dried for decoctions. Fruits are collected in late summer and juiced, or dried for decoctions, and liquid extracts. Juice is further processed into concentrate powders.
Height:
30-60cm (12-24in)
Width:
Indefinite
Hardiness:
Z2-7
History:
Perhaps the most unusual use of bilberry was by the Native American Chippewa Indians. They burned the plant's dried flowers and then inhaled the fragrant fumes to treat hysteria and madness. (No doubt bilberry's notable calming effects were responsible for any "cures".) Most Native Americans, as well as early American settlers, used bilberry—which they knew as "huckleberry"—for the same ailments that European herbalists did: diarrhea, indigestion, inflammatory infections, and urinary tract problems. In Russian folk medicine, village herbalists prescribed the herb—which they called chernica—for colitis and indigestion. The Scandinavians gave bilberry its common name, which is derived from the Danish bollebar for "dark berry", and up until World War II, they exported huge quantities of the fruit to the rest of Europe. The seventeenth-century British herbalist Nicholas Culpeper lamented the fact that bilberry wasn't used more frequently in medicine and heartily recommended it for "hot agues" (fevers) and to "bind the belly, and stay the vomitings and loathings", the latter affliction being one best left to the imagination.
The herbs greatest therapeutic property, however, is still largely unheralded (though it has been substantiated in numerous clinical studies): Bilberry can improve eyesight, particularly night vision. During World War II, in fact, British pilots scheduled for night maneuvers were given bilberry jam before taking flight. Bilberry is rich in vitamin C and a chemical compound called anthocyanoside. Researchers believe the combined action of these two plant ingredients are responsible for bilberry's affect on vision. Working together, they replenish the "visual purple" in the eye. Visual purples are photosensitive red or purple pigments in the retina that are critical to seeing in dim light.
Parts Used:
Leaves, Ripe or Dried Fruits
Chemical Composition:
  • Anthocyanins
  • Flavonoids
  • Hydroquinone
  • Loeanolic Acid
  • Neomyrtillin
  • Sodium
  • Tannins
  • Ursolic Acid
Properties:
A bitter-sweet, astringent, cooling herb that acts as a diuretic, lowers blood sugar levels, and is anti-oxidant, and vasoprotective, improving blood supply to veins and capillaries. Fresh fruits are laxative; dried fruits are anti-diarrheal.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for diabetes (leaves), edema, anemia, diarrhea, dysentery, and urinary complaint, varicose veins, thread veins, hemorrhoids, poor circulation, and eye conditions. Externally for gum and mouth inflammations, hemorrhoids, skin complaints, and burns (fruits).
To treat diabetes, arthritis, gout, various problems with the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, inflammation of the eyes, burns, and various skin diseases. Bilberry fruit is used to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat, diarrhea, vomiting, wounds, and skin ulcers. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of bilberry fruit to treat diarrhea and inflammation of the mouth and throat.
Bilberry has antinausea, antidiarrhea, antiseptic, astringent, blood-sugar-lowering, calming, diuretic, laxative, tonic, vasodilating, and vision-improving properties. It is also a general blood tonic. Bilberry is taken internally for anemia, cataracts, colitis, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, edema (water retention), eye strain, glaucoma, indigestion, myopia (nearsightedness), nausea, poor night vision, and urinary tract ailments. It is used externally, in gargles and washes, to treat gingivitis, hemorrhoids, minor skin burns and other skin irritations, mouth sores, and varicose veins.
Preparation:
Bilberry is available as dried herb and in capsules, teas, and tinctures. Decoctions and tinctures, respectively made from dried and fresh berries, are prescribed most frequently. To make a decoction from the dried berries, add 2 teaspoons of dried berries to 2 cups of water, stir well, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Strain, and drink up to 2 cups a day. You can drink up to 3 cups a day of the commercial bilberry (or blueberry) teas found in herb shops and health food stores; they are less potent than freshly made decoctions. Follow the manufacturer's directions.
Typical Dose:
A typical dose of bilberry leaf has not been established. A typical dose of bilberry fruits may range from 20 to 60gm of unprocessed fruits.
Possible Side Effects:
Bilberry's side effects include digestive complaints (including nausea).
Caution:
No side effects are associated with using bilberry fruit. Long-term use of bilberry tea made from the plant's leaves, however, can be toxic. Though some traditional herbalists prescribe bilberry leaf tea to regulate blood sugar levels, it is best to avoid using the leaves medicinally. Diabetics and people with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) should only take bilberry under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
Warnings and Precautions:
Don't take if you:
Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan pregnancy in the near future.
Consult your doctor if you:
  • Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn't improve in 2 weeks. (There may be safer, more effective treatments.)
  • Take any medicinal drugs or herbs including aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs.
Pregnancy:
Use only on the advice of your physician.
Breastfeeding:
Use only on the advice of your physician.
Infants and Children:
Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation is hazardous.
Storage:
  • Store in a cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
  • Store safely out of reach of children.
  • Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change the action of the herb.
Safe dosage:
Consult your doctor for the appropriate dose for your condition.
Known Effects:
  • Acts as a diuretic.
  • Treats urinary tract infections.
  • Antioxidant.
  • Reduces acute diarrhea (dried berries only).
  • Astringent.
Possible Additional Effects:
  • Potential anti-inflammatory.
  • May treat vision problems, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy.
  • May reduce inflammation of oral cavity.
  • May treat hemorrhoids.
Drug Interactions:
Taking bilberry with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising:
Abciximab, (ReoPro)
Alteplase, (Activase, Cathflo Activase)
Antithrombin III, (Thrombate III)
Argatroban, (Argatroban)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Aspirin and Dipyridamole, (Aggrenox)
Bivalirudin, (Angiomax)
Clopidogrel, (Plavix)
Dalteparin, (Fragmin)
Danaparoid, (Orgaran)
Dipyridamole, (Novo-Dipiradol, Persantine)
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
Eptifibatide, (Integrillin)
Fondaparinux, (Arixtra)
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
Indobufen, (Ibustrin)
Lepirudin, (Refludan)
Nadroparin, (Fraxiparine)
Reteplase, (Retavase)
Streptokinase, (Streptase)
Tenecteplase, (TNKase)
Ticlopidine, (Alti-Ticlopidine, Ticlid)
Tinzaparin, (Innohep)
Tirofiban, (Aggrastat)
Urokinase, (Abbokinase)
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Taking bilberry with these drugs may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar):
Acarbose, (Prandase, Precose)
Acetohexamide, (Acetohexamide)
Chlorpropamide, (Diabinese, Novo-Propamide)
Gliclazide, (Diamicron, Novo-Gliclazide)
Glimepiride, (Amaryl)
Glipizide, (Glucotrol)
Glipizide and Metformin, (Metaglip)
Gliquidone, (Beglynor, Glurenorm)
Glyburide, (DiaBeta, Micronase)
Glyburide and Metformin, (Glucovance)
Insulin, (Humulin, Novolin R)
Metformin, (Glucophage, Riomet)
Miglitol, (Glyset)
Nateglinide, (Starlix)
Pioglitazone, (Actos)
Repaglinide, (GlucoNorm, Prandin)
Rosiglitazone, (Avandia)
Rosiglitazone and Metformin, (Avandamet)
Tolazamide, (Tolinase)
Tolbutamide, (Apo-Tolbutamide, Tol-Tab)
Taking bilberry with these drugs may interfere with absorption of the drug:
Ferric Gluconate, (Ferrlecit)
Ferrous Fumarate, (Femiron, Feostat)
Ferrous Gluconate, (Fergon, Novo-Ferrogluc)
Ferrous Sulfate, (Feratab, Fer-Iron)
Ferrous Sulfate and Ascorbic Acid, (FeroGrad 500, Vitelle Irospan)
Iron-Dextran Complex, (Dexferrum, INFeD)
Polysaccharide-Iron Complex, (Hytinic, Niferex)
Lab Test Alterations:
Bilberry leaf may lower serum triglycerides.
Supplement Interactions:
  • Bilberry leaf may increase blood glucose-lowering effects and risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used with herbs and supplements that lower glucose levels, such as alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, Devil's Claw, Panax Ginseng, and Psyllium.
  • The tannins in bilberry may cause the alkaloids in certain other herbs to separate and settle, increasing the risk of toxic reactions.
Culinary Uses:
Fresh fruits are added to salads and muffins, and made into jams, syrups, tart and pie fillings, compotes, and desserts. Dried fruits are used in baking and added to breakfast cereals. Leaves are used to make tea.
Economic Uses:
Fruits are made into wine or used to color wines; extracts are used to flavor liqueurs.
Bibliography:
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 399
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. pp. 63-65
The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pp. 110-111
Vitamins, Herbs, Minerals & Supplements. The Complete Guide. Revised Edition. by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. Copyright©1998 Fisher Books. Pg. 188