The blueberry is hard to beat in terms of diversity: Not only in the domestic kitchen it is part of the preparation of a wide variety of dishes, but also in naturopathy it has occupied a firm place for centuries. Already the Native Americans revered the blueberry as a medicinal plant and used the fruits to treat various ailments.
Occurrence and cultivation of blueberry
Bilberries also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is why the juice of the fruit can be used as a gargle for mild inflammation of the mouth or throat. Even today, the blueberry is still considered an all-rounder of natural medicine: it is used for gastrointestinal disorders, has a preventive effect against diseases of civilization such as cancer or diabetes and is considered a natural anti-aging agent that slows down the external and internal aging of the human body. Blueberry is also a popular fruit on the menu of dieters, as it is not only absolutely low in calories, but also supports the process of losing weight through various ingredients. The blueberry, which is also popularly known as blueberry, minor berry, wild berry or blackberry, is a species of the heather family. However, the commercial cultivated blueberries are a species that originates from the American blueberry and not from the one native to the European region. The blueberry is basically widespread in all northern and temperate climatic zones of Europe and Asia. It prefers a base- and nutrient-poor soil, which the semi-shade plant finds preferably in deciduous and coniferous forests, especially in pine and mountain spruce forests, as well as in mountain and moor landscapes. The blueberry is a deep rooter, thus it develops roots of up to one meter, and feeds on raw humus with the help of root fungi. The heather plant is very sensitive to frost: already at late frost it can suffer considerable damage, at heavy frost the plant usually freezes completely. In this case, the rootstock remains intact and can resprout in the spring.
Effect and application
The use of blueberry as a medicinal plant is manifold: its dried, fresh or frozen fruits are used for the treatment of all symptoms and ailments, the method of ingestion ranges from the natural berry in the raw state to pharmaceutical preparations. The blueberry contains a variety of different ingredients that can have a positive effect on the human organism or promote healing in specific diseases. The fruit of the blueberry contains mainly secondary plant substances such as anthocyanidins, catecholins, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, fruit acids, pectins and invert sugar. In the leaves of the plant are mainly phenolic carboxylic acids, arbutin, hydroquinone, tannins, quinolizidine alkaloids, chromium and manganese. The field of application of the individual active substances is wide and begins with digestion. Dried blueberries are an effective remedy for diarrhea due to their high tannin content as well as their high concentration of pectins, while the consumption of larger quantities of fresh fruit has a laxative effect and is therefore often used as a natural remedy for constipation. Blueberries also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is why the juice of the fruit can be used as a gargle for mild inflammation of the mouth or throat. The anthocyanidins contained in the berries also have a regenerative effect in the case of disease-related fragility of the capillary systems – they stabilize them and thus counteract the accompanying symptoms of various diseases such as diabetes. However, blueberries are also used to treat gastrointestinal ulcers, diseases of the retina or vision disorders at dusk or at night, mostly in the form of ready-to-use preparations. However, the preparation and use of blueberry leaves is controversial. Although these are considered to lower blood sugar due to their high chromium content, they cause symptoms of poisoning when consumed over a long period of time, which is why the possible medical usefulness of blueberry leaves is still unclear.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
However, blueberry can be used not only to treat acute ailments, but also has a strong preventive effect.In most cases, regular consumption of the fruit helps to effectively prevent diseases and also supports the adequate supply of nutrients to the human body. In addition to secondary, blueberry also contains a large number of vital primary plant substances, which must be supplied to the human organism through daily food intake. In particular, its high content of iron, folic acid and zinc has a positive effect on blood sugar levels and strengthens the immune system. Thanks to its vitamin C and a variety of dietary fibers, blueberries also help with weight loss; their high potassium content additionally boosts fat metabolism. Furthermore, with a calorific value of about 43 kcal per 100 g, the berry is extremely low in calories, making it one of the most figure-friendly fruits of all. Similar to the related strawberry, blackberry and raspberry, it contains many carotenoids, which – especially beta-carotene – support human eyesight and prevent age-related visual impairment. The pterostilbene present in the blueberry also has a very positive effect – it lowers the cholesterol level. Moreover, blueberries are considered to prevent one of the most widespread diseases of civilization: Cancer. Cancer is caused by an excess of free radicals, which damage cells and, in the worst case, can lead to the formation of tumors that metastasize in the body. Free radicals are also responsible for the visible aging of our skin and can also promote inflammatory processes. The polyphenols contained in high concentrations in blueberries trap the free radicals, and the tannins in the fruit, especially hydroxycinnamic acid, have an additional anti-inflammatory effect. Blueberries thus not only prevent cancer, but also slow down the aging process, and also protect the vessels and prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system.
