Herbal Medicine Bilberry

Blueberry or bilberry (or huckleberry) was used and praised by ancient herbalists for the control of diarrhea or dysentery and for urinary disorders. This berry has astringent and germicidal action within the system. I pick fresh wild or garden blueberries and prepare an extract by pouring a handful into a pint of inexpensive brandy.

The berries release a great deal of tannin which is what controls the diarrhea. The dose is a tablespoon of the extract in a half glass of roomtemperature water every two hours until the diarrhea stops.

A syrup of blueberries was used by ancient Greek herbalists to control the flow of mother's milk.

Use the extract for dry eczema. Paint the scales with the extract and cover them with gauze. Repeat this once a day until the eczema is controlled.

Some people with diabetes have claimed they have controlled the disease with extended use of blueberry leaf tea, so it may be worth adding to a diabetic diet.