Herbs Guide

Bilberry

Family Name: Ericaceae

Botanical Name(s): Vaccinium Myrtillus

Popular Name(s): Black Whortleberry, Blueberry, Burren Myrle, Dyeberry, Huckleberry, Hurleberry, Whinberry, Whortleberry, Wineberry and Bilberry.

Parts Used: Ripe dried fruits are used.

Habitat: It grows in northern Europe, Canada and the United States.

Description: Bilberry is a dwarf shrub, reaching 50 cm in height, with thin ovate leaves. Flowers have ovoid petals, which are red or pink and appear in spring. The herb bears berries as a fruit.

Uses: Bilberry fruit has astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic and powerful anti-oxidant properties and has been used for scurvy as well as urinary infections and stones. The fruit can be used with success to treat diarrhea, especially diarrhea in children. It is used medicinally as an astringent in eye care products and is used externally to treat wounds, sores and ulcers.