Bilberry

What is bilberry?

Bilberry is a small, dark berry with a place in European food and herbal traditions. Its botanical name is Vaccinium myrtillus. You may also know it as blaeberry, whinberry or whortleberry: regional names that reflect how familiar this fruit has been in different parts of Britain.

In our range, bilberry appears as a single-herb tincture and as one ingredient in two broader blends. This guide introduces the plant and helps you understand the differences between those preparations.

• Botanical nameVaccinium myrtillus
• Ingredient typeBotanical fruit
• Also calledBlaeberry or whortleberry
• In our rangeTwo tinctures and Sustain probiotic

A closer look at the plant

Bilberry grows as a small shrub with green leaves and dark berries. It belongs to the Vaccinium genus, which also includes blueberries and cranberries. Its fruit has been gathered for foods such as pies and preserves, alongside its place in herbal preparations.

Bilberry and the larger cultivated blueberries commonly sold in supermarkets are related, but the names should not be treated as a guarantee of the same botanical species. The familiar highbush blueberry is Vaccinium corymbosum; bilberry is Vaccinium myrtillus.

This is why the botanical name is useful on an ingredient list. It helps identify the plant even when regional names differ. The plant part matters too: a berry preparation should not be confused with one made from leaves.

Whole berries, tinctures and blended formulas

The starting plant is only one part of the story. How an ingredient is prepared changes its format and the way it is used. Whole fruit, dried fruit and a liquid extract are distinct preparations.

A tincture is made using a liquid extraction medium. Our single-herb bilberry tincture lists organic alcohol and purified water alongside the berries. It is measured according to the bottle's directions, rather than eaten as a portion of fruit.

A blended formula adds another layer: bilberry is combined with other ingredients, each contributing to the complete preparation. The amount of bilberry in one blend cannot be assumed to match a serving of a single-herb tincture.

When comparing products, look for the plant name, plant part, extraction medium and serving instructions. Colour alone is not a reliable measure of concentration, and a darker bottle does not establish that one product is stronger than another.

Bilberry in our range

There are three products to explore. Their descriptions below explain where bilberry sits within each formula.

Our tinctures are oral preparations. Even when a product's name refers to eye health, it is not an eye drop and must not be put into the eyes.

Choosing between the formats

Begin with the ingredient list. A single-herb preparation makes it easier to see which botanical you are choosing. A blend brings several ingredients together, so it is worth reading every component rather than focusing only on the familiar berry name.

Next, consider the liquid medium. Both tinctures listed here contain alcohol. Diluting a serving in water or juice changes its dilution but does not make the product alcohol-free. Our guide to alcohol in tinctures explains more about this preparation method.

Finally, check how the finished product is measured. A dropper-based tincture and a fermented liquid have different directions. Follow the label on the bottle you have, and keep track of overlapping ingredients if you already use another blend containing bilberry.

Using and storing your preparation

For the tinctures, shake and dilute as directed on the label, using the supplied dropper rather than estimating a serving with a kitchen spoon. Keep the dropper clean and avoid touching its tip to your mouth or other surfaces.

Store the tinctures tightly closed in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and heat, and out of reach of children. Follow the date and any additional instructions on your bottle. Sustain is a different formulation, so use its own label for storage and directions.

Read the product's suitability information before use, particularly during pregnancy or breastfeeding, when taking medication or when managing a medical condition. If you have a question about a particular bottle, contact us with the product name and batch details.

Bilberry questions answered

Explore related ingredients

Continue with our amla fruit guide, learn about alcohol in herbal tinctures, or browse the Learn ingredient library.

Botanical reading: the Royal Horticultural Society's bilberry profile and Kew's notes on traditional fruits provide background on the plant and its food history.