Showing Food Oval-leaf huckleberry

General Information

Name

Oval-leaf huckleberry

Scientific Name

Vaccinium ovalifolium

Description

Oval-leaf huckleberry, Vaccinium ovalifolium, is a plant native to North America, specifically in the northern regions, including the subarctic (PMID: 35271584). It is mostly eaten in the United States and Canada. The fruit is used in jams, jellies, and for making liqueur, while the leaves can be used to make herbal tea. The fruit is typically blue or purple in color, with a sweet-tart taste and a sweet, slightly earthy odor. Oval-leaf huckleberry is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to several health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular health (PMID: 20025229). The most notable chemical in oval-leaf huckleberry is anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant. The leaves and fruit have been used in traditional medicine for their antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. A peculiar mode of preparation is making blueberry herbal tea by infusing the leaves or juice of the fruit in hot water.

Primary ID

FOOD00221

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