Living Touch

Bilberry is a perennial, ornamental shrub of the genus Vaccinium that is commonly found in various climates in damp woodlands and moorlands. It has oval, pointed leaves, and small pink-white flowers that bloom from April through June, and dark purple berries that are ripe to pick in the late summer. There are over 100 species with similar names and fruit throughout Asia, North America, and Europe. Bilberry has been used as a medicinal herb for hundreds of years.

Bilberry Nutritional Content

Bilberry is rich in flavonoid compounds called anthocyanidins. Flavonoids are plant pigments that are known to have excellent antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are known to fight harmful free radicals and help to strengthen blood vessels, improve circulation, and prevent a number of diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and an eye disorder that can lead to blindness called macular degeneration. Bilberry is also rich in tannins, a substance that helps bleeding to stop and wounds to heal more quickly, it has anti-inflammatory properties, and may help control diarrhea.

Bilberry Health Benefits

Traditionally, Bilberry has been used in European medicine to treat diarrhea. The high concentration of tannins in Bilberry are believed to reduce intestinal inflammation associated with diarrhea. Bilberry leaves have been used to control blood sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes. Modern day studies seem to support this traditional use. The antioxidant properties may further relieve the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, and a variety of vision problems as the anthocyanidins contained in Bilberry may help protect the retina. A number of scientific studies showed that symptoms of nearsightedness, cataracts, and macular degeneration could be improved with Bilberry fruit preparations. Finally, studies conducted in rats have shown that anthocyanidins help prevent stomach ulcers caused by stress, medications, or alcohol.

How to Take Bilberry

Bilberry can be eaten fresh or in dried form. Bilberry tea can be made out of fresh or dried berries, but also out of the leaves. Bilberry extract should contain 25% anthocyanidins. For diarrhea, 5 to 10 grams of crushed dried berries are put in 150 ml cold water and brought to boil for about 10 minutes (children 2 years or older take 4 to 8 grams of crushed dried berries). For eye conditions and blood circulation, 160 mg Bilberry capsules are taken three times a day. For ulcer prevention, take half a cup of fresh Bilberries per day.

As herbs can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications, Bilberry should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Patients who have to take warfarin or any other anticoagulants should be especially careful, as Bilberry may increase the risk of bleeding.