Creating a Medicinal Berry Garden

Berries are rewarding in many ways, from watching the plants flower through developing fruit until harvest and knowing that berries are a source for food and medicinal purposes.  The berry plant family is wide and complex, including many plants we don’t normally consider berries, edible or not, with more than one seed and skin.     

Deciding what berry species you are intending to plant along with the space you intend to grow them are as important as the medicinal purpose in which you will utilize them.  Herbs and berries share the same definition of an herb, “plants used by man for food or physic or for aromatic, cosmetic, or dyeing use” (Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs) and are appropriately grouped together in some garden settings.

Medicinally, berries such as Vaccinum, Ribes and Rubus sp. offer wide varieties to grow with a wide variety of medicinal uses.  Blueberries and Bilberry, part of the Vaccinium family along with wild cranberries, are rich in arbutin, a chemical that prevents the E. coli bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract.  Unsweetened blueberry juice can be used effectively for bladder problems as cranberry juice is commonly known for.  Blueberries nurture and protect the eyes and blood vessels, protect against ulcers and the leaves (one cup of boiling water with 2 cups of dried leaves) of the blueberry plant can help lower or modify blood sugar. 

Bilberries, part of the Vaccinum family, are currently enjoying more popularity in Europe than in North America.  It is a specie of blueberry that is typically found in lower elevations and like a high acid pH (5.0 – 5.6) soil.  After WWII, certain RAF pilots reported improved night vision after consuming bilberry jam and bilberries help with a variety of vision problems including cataracts and macular degeneration.  Eating the berries fresh is good for constipation while consuming dried bilberry fruit will remedy diarrhea.

The Rubus family contains the well utilized and enjoyed blackberry and raspberry.  Both are rich in vitamin C and the leaves of the blackberry contain ellagic acid, which is a anti-carcinogenic.  A study in Europe recommends an infusion of blackberry leaves for diarrhea, sore throats and mouth ulcers and an infusion of one ounce dried leaves to one pint of just boiled water steeped for under 20 minutes.

The raspberry leaves have been a pregnancy tonic for centuries as it strengthens and tones the uterus (avoid during first trimester) and the usual dose during pregnancy is one cup of tea a day.  Other century old uses of raspberry leaves include the aiding of menstrual problems and easing bee stings.

The Ribes families are slightly underutilized compared to the counterparts just mentioned, but have proven medicinal values in fighting colds and coughs, and black currant syrup and jellies are a few ways to prepare it.  The black currant berries are high in vitamin C and potassium, improving resistance to infection and are perfect to combat colds and flues.  Red currants when made into a jelly have an antiseptic effect preventing blisters and ease the discomfort of a burn if applied quickly enough.  Elderberry has a long history of uses, from wine to jelly, and is best known for combating the flu and new studies show inspiring results in trials involving herpes and HIV.

For more information on all types of berries and their growing conditions and other medicinal uses, consult the guide Backyard Fruits and Berries (Rodale Press).