Among the long annals of folk remedies, the bilberry fruit makes for an interesting story. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), World War II British pilots ate bilberry preserves to increase their night vision. Although science has largely proven that bilberry has no effect on night vision, it continues to be used for a variety of purposes ranging from painful menstrual cramps and diarrhea to circulatory problems.
About the Bilberry
The bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a close relative to the American blueberry in both appearance and taste. According to the University of Michigan Health System, bilberry grows in Europe, Canada and the U.S. and is also called the European blueberry, whortleberry and huckleberry. You can use bilberries in foods such as pies and preserves. The extract of the bilberry fruit has medicinal uses, as do bilberry leaves.
Properties
The bilberry's active constituents are compounds called anthocyanosides, which strengthen the blood vessels and aid in circulation. Purportedly, the anthocyanidins in bilberry helps create a pigment that enhances night vision. The bilberry fruit is also billed as a potent antioxidant. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that laboratory studies indicate that bilberry may act as an anti-inflammatory as well, reducing edema. The same studies also suggest that bilberry stops your body from creating cAMP phosphodiesterase, an enzyme that has an effect similar to caffeine. According to the cancer center, bilberry may improve your vision if you have macular degeneration or cataracts. Its other health benefits are not confirmed.
Appropriate Use
According to the UMMC, you can consume fresh or dried bilberries as a food source. You can also make your own bilberry tea using the fresh or dried berries. If you purchase a bilberry dietary supplement, the UMMC states that it should contain at least 25 percent anthocyanidin. Bilberry extract is the most potent form of this dietary supplement, as it contains the largest quantity of anthocyanosides. If using bilberry for diarrhea, the UMMC indicates that dried bilberry is the appropriate preparation. Bring between five and 10 grams of the dried fruit to a boil in 2/3 cup of water and steep for 10 minutes. This can be taken for up to four days. For circulatory problems and eye conditions, the UMMC indicates that you should use between 80 to 480 milligrams of standardized extract, divided into two or three doses.
Safety Concerns
The UMMC states that you can use bilberry to address diarrhea in children over the age of two, as long as the child's pediatrician is first consulted. There are no known side effects associated with bilberry, although you should not ingest large quantities of the leaf and extract for a long period of time, as this may result in symptoms of toxicity, such as weight loss, muscle spasms and even death.
Other Cautions
According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, you should avoid bilberry if you have a blood clotting disorder or if you take warfarin or another blood-thinning medication. In both instances, bilberry may increase your risk of bleeding. The UMMC also notes that you should not take bilberry along with medications for diabetes, as it may cause your blood sugar level to drop. Bilberry products are regulated as dietary supplements by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and can make no claims to treat or cure a specific health condition. Please speak with your doctor before using bilberry to address your health concerns.
Member Comments