Bilberries, or Vaccinium myrtillus, are cousins to blueberries, and the small fruits resemble blueberries in size, taste and color. The bilberry plant is a low-growing shrub, native to Europe, but cultivated in other areas, including the United States. An extract of bilberry is a dry or a liquid concentration of the active ingredients in an herb or a substance. Talk to your doctor before using any herbal remedy, including bilberry extract, to treat a medical condition.
History
The fruit of the bilberry has a long history in the treatment of vision disorders, according to the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Used to boost night vision during World War II and to reduce cataracts, bilberry earned a lofty reputation many years ago. Still popular in vision treatments today, bilberry may slow the deterioration of macular degeneration. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that while bilberry extract is very popular in vision treatments, studies of the effectiveness of this herbal remedy on humans are lacking.
Process
A solvent or a combined ethanol/water solution is used in extracting the beneficial properties of bilberry. The fruit macerates, or soaks, in the liquid for a few days or weeks before the liquid is strained. The resulting liquid contains the active ingredients. The extract is sold as a bottled liquid tincture or it is dried and pressed into tablets or capsules. Bilberry extract is available in health food stores, but the FDA does not oversee the production of bilberry supplements and cannot guarantee effectiveness or safety of the products.
Medicinal Properties
The active constituents in bilberry extract are anthocyanosides and tannins. According to The University of Maryland Medical Center, bilberry extract should contain at least 25 percent anthocyanosides. These substances promote strong blood vessels and increased circulation. They also act as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals in the blood. The tannins in bilberry extract provide an anti-inflammatory effect. Be sure to consult your doctor before using bilberry extract to make sure that it is safe for you.
Potential Benefits
Although clinical studies do not exist to confirm these claims, bilberry extract may be beneficial in the treatment of poor circulation, diabetes, diarrhea and stomach upset. It may also reduce “bad,” LDL, cholesterol and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, according to The University of Maryland Medical Center. Because these may be serious medical conditions, use bilberry extract as part of your overall treatment plan only as recommended by a physician.
Precautions
The fruit of the bilberry is often eaten in large quantities in jams, pies and juices without side effects. However, some individuals may experience increased bleeding because of bilberry’s potential blood-thinning ability. If taken for diabetes, The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that bilberry might increase the strength of other diabetes medications. Diabetics, pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take bilberry unless directed to do so by their doctor.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bilberry
- “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 2”; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
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