Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtilus) is a small shrub that grows in cool, temperate regions of both the northern and southern hemispheres. It is related to blueberry of the heath family and is also known as bleaberry and common whortleberry in Europe. It is first mentioned in early herbal traditional medicine from the Middle Ages, and became more prominent during the 18th century. Today it is listed in the German Commission E Monographs, and the studies into its nutritive properties are ongoing.