Medicinal plant

Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

An astringent leaf traditionally used as a tea. Also called Highbush Blueberry.

An astringent leaf, traditionally taken as a toning tea. The fresh berries are a nutritive food in their own right, but that’s a culinary use, not the basis of this medicinal-properties record — this entry is about the leaf.

Properties

Astringent — Tightens and tones tissues; often drying

Energetics
Cooling Drying Toning
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), historical botanical illustration

Growing and using it

Life cycle

Deciduous perennial shrub.

What to buy

A potted northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivar suited to cold climates. Buy two compatible cultivars for stronger fruiting.

Best way to start

Nursery-grown shrub.

Seed starting

Not recommended for producing a predictable cultivar.