Medicinal Facts on Huckleberries

Huckleberries are a fruit that you can eat raw or baked. The berries also have medicinal qualities.

Huckleberries

• There are different huckleberry species. Huckleberries (Gaylussacia baccata and G. brachycera) found in eastern America and Canada are of poor quality. Garden huckleberries (Solanum melanocerasum) are related to the edible berries of the tomato plant and deadly nightshade. Solanum melanocerasum are poisonous if eaten when not fully ripe.

The Vaccinium Genus

• The commercially viable, and medicinally important, huckleberries are from the genus Vaccinium in the heather family (Ericaceae). Huckleberries are related to bilberries and blueberries. Huckleberries are blue, red, or black colored. The ripe berries can be eaten raw but the taste is acidic and requires sweetening while baking to offset tartness.

Habitat Range

• Worldwide, there are about 400 Vaccinium species. Twenty-six species are native to western North America. Edible huckleberries grow from Alaska to California. Huckleberry habitats are coastal, preferably in low elevation forest edges. Areas that sustain huckleberries are endangered from logging and over-picking.

Medicinal Value

• Huckleberries, according to studies from the United States Department of Agriculture, help prevent scurvy through high levels of vitamin C. The berries are a useful adjunct for lowering blood sugar in diabetics. A study from The Center for Holistic Pediatric Education and Research proposes that bilberries, fruit related to huckleberries, help ameliorate vascular and heart disorders.

Caution

• Excessive huckleberry use can lead to indigestion and diarrhea. Do not rely on huckleberries to manage serious illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease Seek professional medical advice for these conditions.