Ohelo Berries /Vaccinium reticulatum is a species within the family of Ericaceae commonly referred to as Ohelo Berries. This particular species is also known by the common names Tree Ohelo and Ohelo Kau La’au. It is available at high elevations on the Islands of Hawaii and Maui. It grows well in subtropical, tropic, or Mediterranean climates and well-drained soils. It is a perennial plant that bears flowers from April to September and fruits in autumn.
Ohelo Berries Quick Facts
Name:
Ohelo Berries
Scientific Name:
Vaccinium reticulatum
Origin
Available at high elevations on the Islands of Hawaii and Maui.
Colors
Blue to purple to red to yellow to orange (Fruit)
Shapes
Berry, Diameter: 8-14 mm (0.31-0.55 inch) (Fruit)
Taste
Tart, sweet
Calories
39 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients
Vitamin C (9.33%)
Vitamin A (8.43%)
Carbohydrate (7.37%)
Vitamin B2 (3.85%)
Vitamin B3 (2.36%)
Health benefits
Prevents scurvy, Treats common cold, Vasodilator activity, Lead toxicity, Treat cancer
OHELO BERRIES FACTS
Ohelo berries are healthy for consumption. It is grown around volcanic places such as Hawaii and Maui. Ohelo Berry is also known as vaccinium reticulatum or hello berry. It has a sweet taste. Ohelo Berry has numerous small seeds in it. Ohelo berries can be red, orange, yellow, purple, and blue.
Name
Ohelo Berries
Scientific Name
Vaccinium reticulatum
Native
Available at high elevations on the Islands of Hawaii and Maui.
Bell-shaped, yellow to red, pink; Length: 8-12 mm (0.31-0.47 inch)
Fruit shape & size
Berry, Diameter: 8-14 mm (0.31-0.55 inch)
Fruit color
Blue to purple to red to yellow to orange
Flavor
Insipid, tangy to sweet
Fruit Taste
Tart, sweet
Seed
Small, numerous, flat
Fruit Season
Autumn
Major Nutritions
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 8.4 mg (9.33%)
Vitamin A, RAE 59 µg (8.43%)
Carbohydrate 9.58 g (7.37%)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.05 mg (3.85%)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 0.378 mg (2.36%)
Phosphorus, P 14 mg (2.00%)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.024 mg (2.00%)
Magnesium, Mg 8 mg (1.90%)
Iron, Fe 0.13 mg (1.63%)
Potassium, K 53 mg (1.13%)
Health Benefits
Prevents scurvy
Treats common cold
Vasodilator activity
Lead toxicity
Treat cancer
Eye health
Skin health
Treat measles
Enhance immunity
Treat urinary stones
Calories in 1cup (140 gm)
39 Kcal.
Traditional uses
Treat stomach pains
Cures an abdominal pain
Enhance immune power
Promotes digestion
Precautions
Allergic reactions
Excessive consumption should be avoided.
How to Eat
Consumed raw
Made jellies, jams, spreads and pies
Used as an appetizer
Ohelo Berries Scientific Classification
Scientific Name: Vaccinium reticulatum
Rank
Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom
Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom
Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Division
Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Subclass
Dilleniidae
Order
Ericales
Family
Ericaceae (Heath family)
Genus
Vaccinium L. (Blueberry)
Species
Vaccinium reticulatum Sm. (Ohelo ‘ai)
Synonyms
Vaccinium berberidifolium
Vaccinium macraeanum
Vaccinium pahalae
Vaccinium pahalae Skottsb.
Vaccinium peleanum
Vaccinium penduliflorum var. berberifolium
Plant
Vaccinium reticulatum is the small and evergreen shrub growing upto 0.1-1.3 m (0.33-4.27 ft.) in maximum height. Evergreen leaves are spirally arranged, oval, leathery, red, green, and 1-3 cm (0.39-1.18 inch) long. The bell-shaped flowers are yellow to red, pink, and 8-12 mm (0.31-0.47 inch) long. The flower turns into a fruit which color ranges from blue to purple to red to yellow and orange. Fruit is a berry of 8-14 mm (0.31-0.55 inch) as diameter. It possesses small, numerous, and flat seeds. The fruit has an insipid, tangy to sweet flavor and tart or sweet taste.
Nutritional value
The serving size of one cup (140 g) provides 129.22 g of moisture, 39 calories, 0.53 g of protein, 0.36 g of ash and 9.58 of carbohydrate. It grants 8.4 mg of vitamin C, 59 µg of Vitamin A, 0.05 mg of Vitamin B2, 0.378 mg of Vitamin B3, 14 mg of Phosphorus, 0.024 mg of Vitamin B1, 8 mg of Magnesium, 0.13 mg of Iron, 53 mg of Potassium, 0.53 g of protein and 10 mg of Calcium.
Nutritional value of Oheloberries, raw
Serving Size: 1 Cup, 140 g
Calories 39 Kcal.Calories from Fat 2.79 Kcal.
Proximity
Amount
% DV
Water
129.22 g
N/D
Energy
39 Kcal
N/D
Energy
164 kJ
N/D
Protein
0.53 g
1.06%
Total Fat (lipid)
0.31 g
0.89%
Ash
0.36 g
N/D
Carbohydrate
9.58 g
7.37%
Minerals
Amount
% DV
Calcium, Ca
10 mg
1.00%
Iron, Fe
0.13 mg
1.63%
Magnesium, Mg
8 mg
1.90%
Phosphorus, P
14 mg
2.00%
Potassium, K
53 mg
1.13%
Sodium, Na
1 mg
0.07%
Vitamins
Amount
% DV
Water-soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
0.024 mg
2.00%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
0.05 mg
3.85%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
0.378 mg
2.36%
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
8.4 mg
9.33%
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A, RAE
59 µg
8.43%
Vitamin A, IU
1162 IU
N/D
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/
Health Benefits of Ohelo berries
Ohelo berries have an adequate amount of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins which help to maintain health. Some of the benefits are described below:
Prevents scurvy
The deficiency of Vitamin C is the cause of scurvy. The symptoms occur due to weak bones, connective tissues, and blood vessels that involve collagen. Vitamin C is considered a strong antioxidant that is essential for collagen production.
Treats common cold
Vitamin C stimulates the immune power which helps to prevent coughs and colds. It enhances iron absorption and enhances the body to counteract the infection. It helps to defend the body against viruses.
Vasodilator activity
Vitamin C helps to dilate the blood vessels in the health conditions such as high cholesterol, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and angina pectoris. The results show that Vitamin C supplements help to enhance the dilation of blood vessels and protect cardiovascular health.
Lead toxicity
Lead toxicity is a health ailment that occurs in the children of urban areas. Those children who are exposed to lead result in abnormal growth and development. They experience learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and have low IQ. In adults, it increases blood pressure and harms kidneys. The supplements of Vitamin C can lower the level of blood lead.
Treat cancer
The high intake of fresh fruits and vegetables helps to lower the chances of cancer. The studies show that a high intake of vitamin C helps to reduce the lungs, vocal cords, mouth, colon, throat, rectum, stomach, and esophagus cancer.
Eye health
Vitamin A helps to enhance vision. It helps the eyes to adjust in the light changes, moist eyes and promotes night vision. It prevents dry eyes and improves weak eyes. It secures a retina and prevents night blindness by raising the eye’s adaptability to both darkness and bright light. It also reduces the chances of macular degeneration and cataracts which are related to aging. It is helpful for people with glaucoma.
Skin health
Vitamin A helps to eliminate toxins and free radicals which harm the skin. It provides soft and supple skin by promoting the retention of moisture and prevents keratinization, dryness, and skin ailments such as psoriasis.
Treat measles
Measles is caused due to insufficient Vitamin A in the body. The intake of foods with high vitamins helps to provide relief from diarrhea, fever caused due to measles and supports the healing process.
Enhance immunity
Vitamin A promotes the immune power to counteract infections by raising the responses of lymphocytic against antigens. It maintains the moisture in the mucus membranes which ensures immunity and promotes white blood cells activity. It prevents germs and counteracts infections. It ensures double core protection.
Treat urinary stones
Vitamin A helps to ensure muscle growth in teens and children. It ensures healthy bones and retains its shape. It prevents the development of muscular dystrophy.
Traditional uses
It helps to treat stomach pains.
The fruit, root, coconut, and white sugarcane are mashed. This mixture is strained with Ohelo berries which are drunk once in the morning and evening.
Medicinally the plant is mixed with another plant which helps to treat abdominal pain.
The intake of Ohelo berries juice helps to enhance the immune power in the body.
