BILBERRY (Vaccinium myrtillus)

The bilberry has been used for hundreds of years in Europe and Asia for both food and medicinal purposes. Bilberry has an angular green stem growing from a creeping rootstock to a height of 1 to 1 _ feet. The ten-inch long leaves are oval in shape and a bright green. The flowers are reddish and the bush flowers in April, May and June. The berries are blue-black or purple. The nearest American counterpart of bilberry is the blueberry.

During World War II, members of the Royal Air Force were given bilberry jam and extract to improve night vision. After much research, it was discovered that the extract made from the fruit is an effective treatment for a variety of visual problems, including night blindness from prolonged reading, near sightedness, and a disturbance of the retina caused by diabetes. Other uses include treatment for muscular degeneration, glaucoma, and varicose veins. The supplement should be taken three times a day and has no toxic effect.

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Thanks to Margaret Anderson and Dover Publications' Modern Herbal for this report. Margaret adds that she purchases bilberry capsules at health food and drugstores where supplements are sold. She's taken bilberry for two years and has had good reports on her checkups.