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Widespread in the northern and middle forest zones of the European part of the former USSR, in Siberia, in the subalpine belt of some parts of the Caucasus. Common blueberry grows in pine and spruce forests, especially in flat, semi-shady places.
Mature fruit without stalks and blueberry leaves collected during the flowering period are used. The odor of dried fruits is weak, the taste is sour-sweet, slightly astringent.
Chemical composition
.Blueberry fruits contain tannins, malic, succinic, citric, lactic, ascorbic acids, carotene, B vitamins, vitamin B2, sugars, anthocyanins, pectin and mucilaginous substances, glycoside, myrtillin. It ranks first among all fruits and berries in terms of manganese content.
Bilberry leaves contain tannins, flavonoids, triterpene compounds (oleanic, ursolic acids), ascorbic acid (up to 250 mg%), carotene, cinnamic acid, arbutin, hydroquinone, glycoside mirtillin, not identical to the mirtillin of the fruit. Seeds contain a drying fatty oil resembling linseed oil (up to 31%), protein (about 18%).
Action and application
.Bird cherry fruit has an astringent property due to the presence of tannins. Myrtillin has the ability to lower blood sugar levels. The glycoside neomirtillin contained in the leaves significantly lowers blood sugar in experimental alloxan diabetes in animals. Fruits are used in the form of infusion, extract, syrup in acute and chronic enterocolitis, with putrefactive fermentation in the intestines, especially in children, with diarrhea, with mild forms of diabetes. Externally - in the form of compresses for hemorrhoids. There are indications of treatment with decoction of blueberry fruit catarrhal and follicular angina, burns, aphthous stomatitis, etc.
In Bulgaria, dried blueberries are used as a proprovozhalitelnyu remedy for diarrhea, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and cystitis. Externally - for inflammation of the gums and throat and for skin diseases. In gastritis and colitis Bulgarian doctors recommend to use fresh fruit 50 -100 g per day or as a tincture of them: 10 g of dry fruits insist on 200 ml of cold water for 8 hours (daily dose). Infusion: 5 g finely chopped fruit brew 200 ml of boiling water (daily dose). Use in inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and in diabetes.
In France, Prof. Paris pointed out that the common blueberry has both astringent and styptic properties. Its antibiotic properties, swept up by folk observations, have been fully confirmed by scientists. Compain advises the following mixture for severe bleeding: blueberries - 30 g, chestnuts - 10 g, gummiarabic - 20 g, Salicaire - 20 g and water 1 liter. Cook the mixture for 10 minutes in a glass or porcelain dish. Take 120 ml per day. The author notes the rapid hemostatic action. Common blueberries are recommended to be taken as a medicinal decoction, compote or jelly.
In Austria, blueberry fruits and leaves are used in the form of decoction and juice also for gastritis, colitis and diarrhea. The presence of mucilaginous substances in it makes it useful in heartburn. 3-4 g of dried leaves pour 250 ml of boiling water, daily dose of 250-400 ml. Dried fruits brewed with boiling water (50 g to 0.5 liters), insist 8 hours, take during the day.
In Poland, blueberry fruit is also widely used to treat the gastrointestinal tract.
In domestic folk medicine, blueberry leaves are used in the form of an infusion for diabetes mellitus. When diarrhea - in the form of sour cream from fresh or dried fruits. Fresh fruits find use in scurvy.
Blueberry fruits are used in the food industry. Juice as food coloring for coloring fruit and berry wines, soft drinks, etc. The fruit is used to make wine, jam, syrups, morsels, juice, extracts and sours.
We use blueberry fruit as an astringent, anti-inflammatory and vision enhancer, as well as a vitamin remedy.
We recommend mixing blueberry fruit with sugar (1 kg of fruit per 1200 g of sugar), store in glass jars with glass lids in a cool place. Take in early spring 30-40 g 2 times a day..
