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Also known as- Vaccinium myrtillus, European blueberry, Airelle, Bilberry Fruit, Bilberry Leaf, Black Whortles, Bleaberry, Blueberry, Burren Myrtle, Dwarf Bilberry, Dyeberry, Huckleberry, Hurtleberry, Myrtilli Fructus, Trackleberry, Whortleberry, Wineberry.
Introduction
The use of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) as an herbal remedy stems back almost one thousand years to Europe, where it was mainly used to relieve diarrhea. Bilberry is a 16-inch tall shrub with pointed, oval leaves and small white and pink flowers which bloom between April and June. Its dark purple berries ripen in late summer. Bilberry is a relative of the cranberry, blueberry, and huckleberry. Its fruit looks and tastes similar to the American blueberry. Bilberry fruit contains high concentrations of tannins, substances that act as both an astringent and an anti-inflammatory. This fruit also contains flavonoid compounds called anthocyanidins. Flavonoids are plant pigments that possess outstanding antioxidant properties, foraging out dangerous particles in the body known as free radicals. Bilberry has been connected with the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration.
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Anthocyanidin (a flavonoid) is the primary compound in bilberry fruit, building strong capillaries and improving circulation throughout the entire body. Anthocyanidins may prevent blood platelets from clumping together, which minimizes the risk of blood clots (associated with heart attack and stroke). Bilberry fruit contains tannins, a substance that acts as an astringent, stopping bleeding. The tannins and anthocyanidins may equalize each other when the whole bilberry fruit is used for medicinal purposes. Anthocyanidins increase rhodopsin production, a pigment that assists the eye's ability to adapt to light changes and enhances night vision. The tannins possess anti-inflammatory properties and as mentioned previously may relieve diarrhea.
The Bilberry herb has been also been associated with the care and treatment of number of ailments including atherosclerosis, cataracts, diabetes, diarrhea, macular degeneration, night blindness, and retinopathy, and is considered a strong antioxidant by many experts. Though the medicinal benefits of Bilberry are not certain, thousands of people continue to seek bilberry for its health-related properties.
The European bilberry bush is a close relative of American blueberries, cranberries, and huckleberries. The berry is creamy white instead of purple, but it is used, like blueberries, in the preparation of cakes, cobblers, jams, juices, and pies.
The bilberry has a long history of medicinal use. Hildegard of Bingen wrote 900 years ago to recommend the use of bilberries to treat amenorrhea. Renaissance physicians used bilberries to treat conditions ranging from kidney stones to typhoid fever.
The best known application of the herb in modern medicine, however, arose during World War II. British Royal Air Force Pilots reported that a dollop of bilberry jam just before a mission improved their night vision, sometimes dramatically.
Constituents
Benzoic acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, Epigallocatechin (EPCG), gallic acid, hydroquinone, isoquercetin, quercetin.
Parts Used
Leaf, fruit.
Typical Preparations
Dried fruit, jam, bilberry leaf powder tablets, bilberry leaf tea.
Summary
After the successful use of bilberry jam in World War II, researchers determined that bilberry fruit and bilberry leaf contain biologically active substances called anthocyanosides. Scientists believe that these chemicals may strengthen the walls of the blood vessels in the eye and benefit the retina, reduce inflammation, and stabilize tissues containing cartilage, such as ligaments and tendons. The herb is also used to treat a variety of conditions that benefit from arterial support, including bruising, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins.
The effect of bilberry on night vision is most consistent in people who have poor night vision. The herb probably will not improve night vision in people who already have good night vision.
For best results, take bilberry on a regular basis, but also use blueberries, cranberries, elderberries, raspberries, and strawberries to support cardiovascular and retinal health.
Precautions
Bilberry fruit is known to be safe even for pregnant women, although eating too much can cause minor stomach upset. Maximum dosages of bilberry leaf have not been established for nursing mothers, young children, or people with severe liver or kidney disease, but there are no reports of toxicity. A bilberry leaf may lower blood sugars in diabetics. The leaf is not recommended for long term use.
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