Alpine Cranberry
Vaccinium vitis idaea
Common Names: Cowberry, red bilberry, whortleberry.
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, berries.
Description: Alpine cranberry is a small evergreen plant that grows in European coniferous forests with dry soil and also in mountain marshes. It grows from a creeping rootstock to a height of 4 to 10 inches. The leaves are alternate, obovate, pale green with brown spots underneath, and have rolled edges. Its reddish-white, bell-shaped flowers grow in a terminal cluster from May to August. The fruit is a red berry.
Properties and Uses: Leaves: antiseptic, astringent, diuretic. Berries: astringent, refrigerant. An infusion of leaves is useful for bladder problems because of its disinfectant action, which is similar to that of bearberry. Alpine cranberry can be substituted for bearberry, using double the amount of leaves (and it tastes much better). A decoction of the leaves can also be used for gout and rheumatism. The berries taste good, are refreshing, arouse the appetite, and are helpful in curbing diarrhea. They are good sources of vitamin C.
Preparation and Dosage: Gather leaves after the berries are ripe.
Infusion: Use 1 tbsp. leaves with ½ cup boiling water.
Cold extract: Use 1 tbsp. leaves with ½ cup cold water; let stand for 10 hrs.
Decoction: Use 1 heaping tsp. dried leaves to ½ cup water. Take unsweetened, a mouthful at a time.
