Bilberry leaf has a mild flavor and makes a satisfying tea, often combined with other herbs, dried fruit and flowers.

Bilberry leaf doesn’t contain anthocyanosides, the antioxidant compounds found in the fruit. The leaf’s bitter quality is owing instead to a high tannin content, which lends the herb astringent properties.

Historically, bilberry leaf has been by herbalists to counter inflammation in connective tissue associated with bruising, digestive disorders, the degeneration of collagen and peripheral nerve damage.

Bilberry is used for improving eyesight, including night vision. In fact, during World War II, British pilots in the Royal Air Force ate bilberry jam to improve their night vision, but later research showed it probably didn’t help. Bilberry is also used for treating eye conditions such as cataracts and disorders of the retina. There is some evidence that bilberry may help retinal disorders.

Some people use bilberry for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), varicose veins, decreased blood flow in the veins, and chest pain.

Bilberry is also used for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hemorrhoids, diabetes, osteoarthritis, gout, skin infections, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, kidney disease, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

It is sometimes applied directly to the inside of the mouth for mild mouth and throat soreness.

Bilberry leaf has a mildly bitter, astringent flavor. In tea and tinctures, it blends with other cool, astringent herbs.

Culinary uses include being used as seasoning. Add directly to soups, stews, braised meats and vegetables.

Safety: May increase the effect of anti-hyperglycemic medications.

Botanical Name: Vaccinium myrtillus
aka: Airelle, Arándano, Black Whortles, Bleaberry, Blueberry, Brimbelle, Burren Myrtle, Dwarf Bilberry, Dyeberry, European Bilberry, Feuille de Myrtille, Fruit de Myrtille, Gueule Noire, Huckleberry, Hurtleberry, Mauret, Myrtille, Myrtille Européenne, Myrtilli Fructus, Raisin des Bois, Swedish Bilberry, Trackleberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, Whortleberry, Wineberry.
Origin: Croatia/Europe
Notes: Kosher Certified. Non-irradiated. Non-GMO.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
* FDA disclaimer

References
webmd