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Contents:
Common Names
Parts Usually Used
Plant(s) & Culture
Where Found
Medicinal Properties Legends, Myths and Stories
Uses
Formulas or Dosages
Nutrient Content
How Sold
Bibliography
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Common Names
Bilberry
Cowberry
Mui
Red bilberry
Whortleberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L. or bilberry)
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Parts Usually Used
Leaves, berries
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Alpine cranberry is a small evergreen plant; grows from a creeping rootstock
to a height of 4-10 inches. The leaves are alternate, obovate, pale green with
brown spots underneath, and have rolled edges. Its reddish-white, bell-shaped
flowers grow in a terminal cluster from May to August. The fruit is a red berry.
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Where Found
Grows in European coniferous forests with dry soil and also in mountain marshes.
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Medicinal Properties
Leaves: antiseptic, astringent, diuretic
Berries: astringent, refrigerant
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Legends, Myths and Stories
The common cranberry is called "Mui" by the Chinese because the shape
of the fruit resembles a small plum or tiny peach. Bottled commercial cranberry
juice (not cranberry drinks) can be substituted for fresh when the fresh cranberry
is not available. Drink 4 to 6 oz. of juice 3 times a day for urinary infections.
Repeat this dosage at least 2 to 3 weeks until results are obtained, or longer
if necessary. Bedwetting conditions can be treated with 4 ounces of the juice
once a day, around 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Commercially prepared cranberry
juice beverages are often laden with sugar and high in calories. Be sure to
obtain the pure juice.
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Uses
The infusion of the leaves is used for bladder problems. Alpine cranberry can
be substituted for bearberry in recipes and formulas, using double the amount
of leaves and it tastes much better. A decoction of the leaves is used for gout
and rheumatism. The berries are good to eat and help increase the appetite;
can be used for diarrhea.
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Formulas or Dosages
Gather leaves after the berries are ripe.
Cold extract: use 1 tbsp. leaves with 1/2 cup cold water; let stand for 10 hours.
Decoction: use 1 heaping tsp. dried leaves
to 1/2 cup water. Take unsweetened, a mouthful at a time.
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Nutrient Content
Vitamins A and C
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How Sold
Commercially prepared cranberry juice beverages are often laden with sugar and
high in calories. Capsules of cranberry extract are available in health food
stores and are not only more potent but fewer calories.
