Huckleberries Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

The huckleberry plant is a low-growing shrub native to North America. Huckleberry bushes grow along mountainside roads, along river and creek banks or steeper slopes.¹ Huckleberries grow throughout the northwestern region of Canada and the United States from California up to Alaska.³

There are many types of huckleberries including black, evergreen and red huckleberries. The huckleberry plant is part of the Ericaceae family and is also sometimes called the bilberry.^1,2

The huckleberry plant produces large, black or red berries. They are juicy with a sweet taste. Huckleberries can be eaten raw. They are also used for making jams or baked into pies and other baked goods.²

Huckleberries Health Uses and Health Benefits

Huckleberry benefits come from their natural content of nutrients. Huckleberries are high in vitamin C, potassium and iron. Huckleberries also contain phytochemicals that have antioxidant properties. Some of these phytochemicals include flavonoids and tannins.¹

Huckleberry benefits include being able to increase circulation and blood flow, including in the eyes. This makes huckleberries a possible defender against eye diseases. 

Huckleberries also help to naturally prevent hemorrhaging and are often eaten before surgeries. Huckleberries also help to prevent chronic diseases because of their antioxidant effects, which work to kill harmful free radicals.¹

Other huckleberry benefits include:

• Helping boost the immune system
• Fighting against viral and bacterial infections
• Defending against the cold and flu
• Killing cancer cells
• Preventing obesity
• Regulating blood sugar levels
• Preventing heart disease
• Treating periodontal disease 

Huckleberry uses include:

• High Cholesterol (Hypocholesterolemia) - Huckleberries can help to regulate cholesterol levels.
• Diabetes - Huckleberry uses include regulating blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
• Gout - Huckleberries can help reduce inflammation and increase circulation in people with gout.
• Osteoarthritis - Huckleberries can help reduce joint pain and swelling from osteoarthritis.
• Urinary Tract Infection - Huckleberry uses include being a natural remedy against bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections.

Huckleberries Side Effects and Precautions

Huckleberry side effects include causing diarrhea when taken in excessive amounts. Huckleberries are safe to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.¹

References

1. https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/tincture-information/huckleberry.html
2. http://lfs-indigenous.sites.olt.ubc.ca/plants/vaccinium-parvifolium-sm/
3. http://huckleberry.xenite.org/facts/ 
4. https://books.google.ca/books?id=QvIpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT841&lpg=PT841&dq=huckleberry+health+benefits&source=bl&ots=CtSUwJ4lfB&sig=LuuABfbomR9UWCipYB2BVOjAm3U&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiw8PPug5TVAhVU5mMKHfjICXs4ChDoAQhMMAc#v=onepage&q=%22huckleberry%20health%20benefits%22&f=false