Bilberry

Botanical Name: Vaccinium myrtillus

Family: Vacciniaceae

Other Names: Blaeberry, blueberries, huckleberry, hurt, hurtleberry, whortleberries

Habitat: Heaths, moors, hilly area

Description: Deciduous shrub. Hairless twigs, height 20-50cm/8-12in. Leaves oval, slight toothed, very short stalked. Flowers solitary, drooping, green/pink April-June. Fruit - small, round, black July - September

Native to: Europe, Asia, and North America

Parts Used: Fruit, leaves Actions: Antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, refrigerant

Constituents: Fruit: Anthocyanosides consisting of cyaniding, delphidin, malvidin glucosides. Vitamin C. Volatiles - trans-2-hexenal, ethyl 2- and 3-methyl butyrates. Catechins Leaves: Flavonoids -quercetin derivatives; hyperoside, quercitrin. Caffeic acid derivatives, catechins, iridoids. Quinolizidine alkaloids -myrtine, epimyrtine

Culinary Uses: Berries eaten raw or cooked. Pies, tarts, pancakes, soups, stews

Circulatory, muscle joint: Circulation, arteries

Immune: Cancer

Physical: Eyes