Bilberry is closely related to the blueberry, and according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), it has been a long-standing herbal remedy, used mainly in Europe, but in other areas of the world as well. The berries of the bilberry plant can be used in baking, but also to treat conditions ranging from diarrhea to venous insufficiency and diabetes. As with any herbal or conventional drug treatment, bilberry is not appropriate for everybody to use. The potential dangers associated with bilberry should be discussed with a doctor before use.
Bleeding
One of the potential dangers of using bilberry supplements is excessive bleeding, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The leaf extract may cause more of a problem with bleeding than the fruit of the bilberry plant, but both should be used with caution if taken with prescription blood-thinning medications or aspirin. UMMC explains that a substance in bilberry, called anthocyanosides, has properties that protect against blood clots.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that the dangers of bleeding increase with large doses. Standard dosages of bilberry measure 80 to 120 mg twice daily for most adults.
Hypoglycemia
Historically, bilberry has been used as a natural remedy to manage blood glucose levels. People who also take medications to reduce or stabilize blood sugar levels may experience drastic drops in glucose when using bilberry as well, and for that reason, they may not be ideal candidates for taking bilberry. The NIH reports that more human studies of the effect of bilberry on blood sugar are needed, but caution is advised. Hypoglycemia, the medical term for low blood sugar, is a serious medical condition if left untreated.
Toxicity
The leaf of the bilberry plant can become toxic when consumed in mass quantities over an extended period of time, according to the Rodale publication "Dr. Duke's Essential Herbs." Toxicity symptoms can include a drop in blood pressure, muscle spasms and could even lead to death. Complying with standardized concentrations and dosages of bilberry extract under the supervision of a medical care provider can help prevent bilberry toxicity and its serious complications.
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