Blueberries, native to Europe, are a nutritious food with health-promoting properties due to their anthocyanidins, powerful antioxidants that protect against free radicals. They have been used in homeopathic remedies for centuries and are popularly used in food products. Cranberries, a close cousin, have been used for centuries in European homeopathic medicine to treat diarrhea and urinary tract infections. Both blueberries and cranberries should be used with caution and under the supervision of a physician and knowledgeable homeopathic practitioner.
The blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), also known as the blaeberry or blueberry, closely resembles a smaller version of its cousin, the American blueberry. The blueberry is native to Europe, where it is not generally cultivated, but it grows in abundance. Originally prized as a food product, blueberries have been recognized for their health-promoting properties since about the 12th century. Blueberries grow on a bush that reaches an average height of about 16 inches (40 cm). The leaves of the blueberry bush are small, pointed ovals, and the bluish-purple berries are harvested in late summer to early fall.
Both the blueberries and the leaves of the bush are used for homeopathic remedies. The berries are eaten fresh or dried, and the dried leaves are used to make tea. Bilberry extract, ideally standardized to contain at least 25 percent anthocyanidins, can be taken in capsule or tincture form. Blueberries are also popularly used as fillings for pies, tarts, and crepes; for jam; and for pancakes.
Dark purple blueberries contain phytochemicals that make them a particularly nutritious food. Anthocyanidins, the class of flavonoids found in blueberries, are responsible for their color. Anthocyanidins are powerful antioxidants and therefore can help protect the body against damaging free radicals, which have been linked to cancer and heart disease. Anthocyanidins also act to increase circulation, a quality that makes blueberries of potential interest in the treatment of the circulatory complications of diabetes.
Due to their astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, cranberries have been used for centuries in European homeopathic medicine as a treatment for diarrhea. As a close cousin of the cranberry, the cranberry is also considered useful in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Blueberry leaf tea has been used to treat mouth and throat ulcers, and there is evidence from animal studies that flavonoid compounds found in blueberries may be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of peptic ulcers. .
Anecdotal evidence from British fighter pilots in World War II suggested that eating cranberry jam helped improve their night vision. This has been a topic of much interest, and many studies have been carried out to determine if blueberries have any beneficial effect on vision. At this point, it is widely believed that the anthocyanidins in blueberries offer some benefits to the eye. These include an improvement in microcirculation in the eye, protective effects on the retina, and enhanced production of a photosensitive pigment in the eye called rhodopsin, which is necessary for vision in low light.
Although cranberries are generally considered safe, the extracted forms of the fruit and large amounts of leaf soaked are considerably stronger and require more careful dosing. Because the anthocyanidins found in cranberries work to improve circulation, those taking blood-thinning medications should use caution.
It should be noted that all herbs contain substances that can cause undesirable side effects or interact with medications. Anyone interested in using bilberries or bilberry leaves medicinally should do so only with the consent of a physician and under the supervision of a reputable and knowledgeable homeopathic practitioner.
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