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.
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.
Bilberry extract is widely used to treat macular degeneration, a particular condition in which the macula, located in the retina of the eye, begins to deteriorate, causing vision to decline. There are two types of macular degeneration, dry (atropic) and wet (exudative). Up to 90% of cases are dry. Since this form of macular degeneration is largely caused by the breakdown of capillaries in the eye, bilberry extract can prevent further damage by strengthening blood vessels related to vision.
Bilberry’s effectiveness in helping to keep the circulatory system free of damage and functioning smoothly is also supported by studies that suggest that bilberry helps increase capillary flexibility and restore normal blood flow in the legs. Bilberry extract can also be used to treat varicose veins in the legs and to treat the symptoms of varicose “syndrome,” which include pain and swelling in the calves and ankles. In general, the flavonoids in bilberry extract prevent bruising, bleeding and breakage of capillaries.
They can also prevent blockage of blood vessels by calcium or fat deposits. This action helps to protect the heart by preventing artherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries caused by deposits of plaque. In addition, bilberry extract is a blood thinner that can further protect the heart and circulatory system by preventing blood clots from forming.
Bilberry Constituents
Bilberries are phytonutrient superstars. These fruits contain significant amounts of anthocyanadins, antioxidant compounds that give blue, purple and red colors to fruits and vegetables. In addition, blueberries also contain ellagic acid, another phytochemical that has been shown to prevent cell damage.
Bilberries are a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, and both soluble and insoluble fiber like pectin. Bilberries are also a good source of vitamin E.
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