Bilberry Tincture (50ml)

Bilberry is a small shrub that grows abundantly in mountainous areas across Europe even up to the subarctic regions. They are difficult to cultivate, preferring acidic and nutrient poor soils, and the fruit are generally wild-harvested. Bilberry fruit are smaller than that of the blueberry, darker in colour or nearly black with a hint of purple. The leaves resemble those of the myrtle, hence its Latin name of Vaccinium myrtillus. Common names used for Bilberry include myrtle blueberry, winberry, windberry and whortleberry. In Ireland, bilberry is referred to as fraguhan. Tradition has it that the fruit is collected on the last Sunday in July when it is ripe – on Fraughan Sunday. The leaves and stems are used in this fresh herb tincture.