From the genus Vaccinium, blueberries have a long history of use for medicinal purposes. Even today, contemporary doctors and natropaths promote the use of blueberries for its health benefits. As an edible fruit, blueberries are low in calories and sodium, contain no cholesterol, and are an excellent source of fiber. The pectin content within the fiber has been proven to lower blood cholesterol. Blueberry juice is also recommended for the prevention of urinary tract infections since it contains a compound that prevents harmful bacteria from anchoring itself to the bladder.

North America Native Americans have used various species of Vaccinium for medicinal purposes, utilizing every part of the plant; flowers, fruit, leaves, young shoots, bark and roots. In the 12th century St Hildegard of Bingen, the first woman to write on medicinal herbs, wrote that Bilberry fruits were good for inducing menstruation. Four centuries later Hieronymus Bock, a German Herbalist, claimed that the berries were useful for the treatment of bladder stones, and lung and liver disorders.

In 18th century Germany blueberries, either fresh or dried, were soaked in water to make infusions or syrups. The infusions were then used in the treatment of coughs, diarrhea, gout, and rheumatism, to relieve symptoms of typhoid fever, as a mouthwash to soothe mouth ulcers, as a diuretic, and to prevent against scurvy.

During WW2 improved night vision after eating bilberry jam was reported by British Royal Air Force pilots on bombing missions. These reports led to laboratory and clinical research on the effects of bilberry fruit extracts on the eyes and on the whole vascular system in the 1960's. Researchers concluded that the most effective medicinal use for bilberry/blueberry extract appears to be for improving micro-circulation, which in turn benefits the capillaries serving the eyes, and mucous membranes of the digestive and pulmonary systems.

Healthier capillaries improve circulation to the connective tissue which may help people suffering from arthritis, water retention in the legs, varicose veins, bruising and hemorrhoids.Blueberries also contain measurable quantities of ellagic acid, which has been proven to inhibit chemically induced cancer in laboratory studies.

There have been no reports of adverse effects due to the use of bilberry extract, nor do researchers expect any. The blueberries' long history as a food is a good indication of its safety. Presently the extract is only given orally, but plans for an indictable extract are in the making.

For more on growing blueberries visit our Blueberry Planting and Culturing Guide.