| | | Blueberry Leaf Tea for Diabetes and Cystitis Answered by: Susan Eagles Question from: Becky Posted on: February 1, 2002
Could you please tell me what Blueberry Leaf tea is used for? Does it benefit a pancreas in any way? Please tell me all you know about Blueberry Leaf Tea.
Blueberry (Vaccinum angustifolium and other species) is similar to Bilberry (Vaccinum myrtillus) and is used for the same purposes.
The leaves lower blood sugar. A tea can be made by steeping a teaspoon of the dried leaf (3 teaspoons of fresh leaf) in a cup of boiling water for 15 minutes. The dose is half a cup, three times a day. For use in diabetes, blood sugar must be carefully monitored. Though insulin therapy must continue for type I, insulin dependent diabetics, blueberry leaf tea is useful in prolonging the effects of insulin and can reduce the amount of insulin needed.
The leaf tea is also useful in cystitis caused by an alkaline urine that encourages bacterial growth. Similar in effect to cranberry juice, blueberry leaf tea can bring the urine back to its normal acidic pH within a couple of days.
The leaves should be picked at the time the berries are ripening.
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