Healing with Bilberries: Its History, Health Benefits, and Spiritual Uses
Photos by World Botanical Therapy
Bilberries are one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits in the berry family. Very similar in appearance to blueberries, bilberries are small European berries that are rich in many nutrients and beneficial compounds. They’re believed to help the health of your heart and lower your blood sugar levels. Spiritually, they may even assist in love rituals and protection. Today, we’re going to go over this powerful berry, including its history, health benefits, and spiritual uses.
History of Bilberries
To start, bilberries, also referred to as the whortleberry, is a shrub belonging to the Ericaceae family and is native to Great Britain, Asia, and northern Europe. Bilberries are considered to be one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins. These components help to give bilberry its dark blue color and powerful high antioxidant content. They are also believed to be the bioactives that are responsible for the powerful health benefits of the bilberry.
Health Benefits
- Supports heart health
The first major health benefit of bilberries is their powerful ability to support heart health. Thanks to their antioxidant-rich compounds, including polyphenol anthocyanins & phytochemicals, bilberries may be effective in preventing blood clots, as well as help lowering blood pressure, according to Mountsinai.org. This can help to promote heart health and even reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Can help lower blood sugar levels
Next, bilberries may also be effective in helping to manage blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. Although more research is required, this may be due to their powerful antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation that is associated with diabetes. “Bilberries have been shown to reduce blood sugar while stimulating insulin secretion, thereby proving useful for diabetics,” according to what Jamie Bacharach, DiplAc, a licensed herbal medicine practitioner, said in an interview on wellandgood.com.
- Can improve eyesight
And lastly, another notable health benefit of bilberries is their ability to help with retinopathy. This is because the bilberry contains a high amount of anthocyanoside, which is a compound that seems to improve retina problems that are often associated with diabetes or high blood pressure. In fact, research has shown that people with retinopathy that took bilberry extract showed signs of strengthening of blood vessels in the retina, contributing to better eyesight (diabetes.co.uk).
Spiritual Uses
Now, alongside their many health benefits, bilberries also have many spiritual uses as well. To start, the bark and leaves of the bilberry, when ground down, have been used to sprinkle around the perimeter of the home for protection rituals to drive away negative energy. Alongside this, bilberries have also been placed in mojo bags for money attraction, consumed for hex-breaking, and even worn on the skin for protection from psychic attack. It is also considered to be aligned with divine feminine energy and connected to the planet Venus, which makes it good for love spells, as well.
In conclusion, the bilberry is a fruit of many uses. From leveling your blood sugar levels to spiritual protection, the bilberry is powerful and highly regarded in both the metaphysical world and in the medicinal. If you’re interested in trying bilberries for your own personal practices, be sure to check out our listing for it on WordBotanicalTherapy.com for additional information.
*Disclaimer: Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Please consult a medical professional in regards to dosage.