Bilberry
Botanical Name: Vaccinium myrtillus
Other Common Names: Whortleberry, Huckleberry, Blueberry, Hurtleberry
Family: Vaciniaceae
Culinary
Eaten raw the berries have a slightly acid flavor. However, when cooked with sugar they become very palatable. They are used in making preserves, syrups, pies, tarts and in some regions simply eaten in milk with sugar. A tasty dish is made by stewing the berries in sugar and lemon peel. The very small size of the seeds (smaller than currants) make these berries particularly desireable for making jams. The berries are also distilled to flavor certain liquors.
Note: See the Food For Health forum for a recipe to make Bilberry Jam.
Medicinal
Parts Used: Leaf and Berries
Energy & Flavors: Leaves - cool, astringent; Berries - cool, nourishing, sweet
Main System Affected: Liver
Biochemical Constituents: Leaves - Quinic acid, tannin; Berries - Organic acids, anthocyanosides, sugars, pectin, mineral salts, vitamins A & C, arbutin.
Properties: Astringent, antiseptic, tonic, diuretic, refrigerant
The berries may be eaten freely and have been shown to relieve fever and thirst, and improve nighttime vision. They are useful in many other eye disorders as well, including glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and they hasten restoration of vision after a glare. Lycii berries are often used in combination with the Bilberries for eye-related treatments. Other uses for the berries include treatment of diarrhea, inflammation of the bowels, dysentery and vaginal discharge (leucorrhea). It is taken for these purposes as a tea, syrup, enema and/or douche. Urinary complains, dropsy and gravel also respond well to the preparations made with the berries. It has been used for both prevention and treatment in typhoid epidemics.
The leaf, made into a tea, is quite effective in regulating blood sugar in the treatment of mild adult-onset diabetes. The decoction may be used topically for skin ulcers and as a gargle for ulcerations of the mouth and throat.
Magickal
Element: Water
Planet: Venus
Gender: Feminine
Powers: Luck, protection, dream magick, hex-breaking
Uses: Carrying a sachet in which bilberry leaves are placed will increase your luck, keep away evil and break hexes or curses. Eating the berries provide protection from within. Burn the leaves like incense in the bedroom directly before going to sleep. Do this for 7 days to make all your dreams come true.
Other Common Names: Whortleberry, Huckleberry, Blueberry, Hurtleberry
Family: Vaciniaceae
Culinary
Eaten raw the berries have a slightly acid flavor. However, when cooked with sugar they become very palatable. They are used in making preserves, syrups, pies, tarts and in some regions simply eaten in milk with sugar. A tasty dish is made by stewing the berries in sugar and lemon peel. The very small size of the seeds (smaller than currants) make these berries particularly desireable for making jams. The berries are also distilled to flavor certain liquors.
Note: See the Food For Health forum for a recipe to make Bilberry Jam.
Medicinal
Parts Used: Leaf and Berries
Energy & Flavors: Leaves - cool, astringent; Berries - cool, nourishing, sweet
Main System Affected: Liver
Biochemical Constituents: Leaves - Quinic acid, tannin; Berries - Organic acids, anthocyanosides, sugars, pectin, mineral salts, vitamins A & C, arbutin.
Properties: Astringent, antiseptic, tonic, diuretic, refrigerant
The berries may be eaten freely and have been shown to relieve fever and thirst, and improve nighttime vision. They are useful in many other eye disorders as well, including glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and they hasten restoration of vision after a glare. Lycii berries are often used in combination with the Bilberries for eye-related treatments. Other uses for the berries include treatment of diarrhea, inflammation of the bowels, dysentery and vaginal discharge (leucorrhea). It is taken for these purposes as a tea, syrup, enema and/or douche. Urinary complains, dropsy and gravel also respond well to the preparations made with the berries. It has been used for both prevention and treatment in typhoid epidemics.
The leaf, made into a tea, is quite effective in regulating blood sugar in the treatment of mild adult-onset diabetes. The decoction may be used topically for skin ulcers and as a gargle for ulcerations of the mouth and throat.
Magickal
Element: Water
Planet: Venus
Gender: Feminine
Powers: Luck, protection, dream magick, hex-breaking
Uses: Carrying a sachet in which bilberry leaves are placed will increase your luck, keep away evil and break hexes or curses. Eating the berries provide protection from within. Burn the leaves like incense in the bedroom directly before going to sleep. Do this for 7 days to make all your dreams come true.
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