Vaccinium myrtillus

Vaccinium myrtillus, “Bilberry” or “European blueberry” in English and “Myrtille” in French, belongs to the Ericaceae botanical family. Native to northern areas of Europe and Asia, also found in the northern US and Canada, it is a shrub growing to 0.30m in heaths, meadows, and moist coniferous forests.

The sweet and tasty fruit is eaten raw or cooked, used in jams and juices or dried and used like currants; also as a food supplement.

Its berries and leaves have been used to prevent scurvy, to treat diarrhea, inflammation of the mouth, urinary problems and diabetes. It is used today as a dietary supplement for night vision, cataracts, varicose veins, atherosclerosis etc.

Among its main constituents are a variety of phenolic compounds, including flavonols (quercetin, catechins), tannins, ellagitannins, and phenolic acids, but mostly a high content of anthocyanins; also, vitamin C, quercetin and catechin.

• English name Bilberry
• French name Myrtille