by taking 1 tablespoonful of Bilberry brandy in ¼ pint of water; may be repeated in 8 or 10 hr. For diarrhoea, dysentery and derangements of the bowels, a decoction of the leaf tea will bring relief. Also as a gargle for sore throat, and feminine hygiene of leucorrhoea.
At one time Bilberries were used in the treatment of scurvy in Norway and other northern countries. Dose: Of the leaves, 1 teaspoonful to 1 cup of boiling water. In the Herbalist by J. E. Meyers:“ A mixture of equal parts of Bilberry leaves, Thyme, and Strawberry leaves makes an excellent tea.” Of the tincture, 10 – 30 drops, varying according to seventy of the case and age. Externally: The tea decoction is used for sores, wounds and ulcers: apply the freshly made tea freely. Russian Experience: Chernica( Bilberry) in Russian Folk Medicine is used mainly as an astringent for gastric colitis and other stomach conditions.
It may be of interest to know that in Russia, Bilberry has a well established reputation as being similar to insulin for sugar diabetes. Used as fresh or dried berries and leaves as tea, decoction, syrup and for poultice. Clinical: Research and clinical experiments confirm value as first recognized by Folk Medicine for practical home use. Extracts and tinctures are given clinically alone or combined with other suitable herbs when a tonic and astringent is required. Dose 1 – 2 teaspoonfuls to 1 cup of boiling water, taken warm in ½ cup amounts four times a day on an empty stomach. Industrial: A home and industrial leather dye of brown and yellow colours. Combined with other chemicals to produce violet, red, green and blue for wool, cotton and linen material.
BIRCH Betula alba, L.( N. O.: Cupuliferae)
Common Names: Black Birch, Cherry Birch, Sweet Birch, Mountain Mahogany, Spice Birch. Features: Nearly forty species in the family Betulaceae of trees and shrubs are given the common name of Birch.
This is an ancient tree; in fossil form it goes back to the upper Cretaceous, and remains abundant and widespread in the northern hemisphere, in both the Old World and the New. In North America they range from the Arctic circle to Florida and Texas; usually found in woods; domestically in landscape decor throughout the United States.
Birch, an eye-catching tree, reaches heights of 45 – 50 ft. It may be white, yellow, brown, or almost black; frequently the trunk is smooth in young trees, later becoming marked with horizontal lines. The alternate leaves are characteristically simple, bright green and toothed. The flowers develop in worm-like catkins of two types. The staminate appear near the ends of the branches in late summer or autumn and elongate the following spring into pendulous structures, exposing the brownish bracts. In the axils of these the minute flowers are located. Seen in the temperate zones in April and May. The ovaries mature into minute winged nutlets which are scattered in autumn or can be seen flecked on the winter snow. Medicinal Parts: Bark and leaves. Solvents: Alcohol, boiling water. Bodily Influence: Aromatic, Stimulant, Diaphoretic. Uses: As a food and medicine; the Indians tapped the Birch for its sap as a beverage and syrup. Oil of wintergreen is distilled from the inner bark and twigs.