What is bilberry used for? Explore the potential benefits, risks, and scientific evidence behind this popular supplement. Learn about bilberry’s uses, side effects, precautions, and interactions.

The Versatile Bilberry: An Overview

Bilberry, also known as European blueberry or whortleberry, is a shrub native to northern regions of Europe and Asia, as well as parts of North America. Its dark, flavorful berries bear a striking resemblance to blueberries, but with their own unique properties and potential health benefits.

Bilberry has a long history of traditional medicinal use, dating back to the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, it has been employed to address a variety of conditions, from diarrhea and mouth inflammation to urinary problems and diabetes. During World War II, British pilots even believed that consuming bilberry jam could improve their night vision.

The Science Behind Bilberry

While the traditional uses of bilberry are well-documented, the scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for various health conditions is somewhat limited. The berry and its leaves contain a high concentration of polyphenols called anthocyanins, which have been the focus of numerous studies exploring their potential health benefits.

Potential Benefits of Bilberry

• Night Vision: A small Japanese study involving 88 office workers suggested that a bilberry extract may help alleviate eye fatigue, hinting at a possible role in supporting night vision.
• Gum Health: A clinical study with 24 participants found that consuming bilberries may help reduce gum inflammation and bleeding.
• Muscle Recovery: A small study with 21 people indicated that drinking bilberry juice before and after a half-marathon may lead to temporary increases in muscle soreness and inflammation in recreational runners.
• Cardiovascular Health: Bilberry’s high concentration of antioxidant-rich anthocyanins has led some researchers to explore its potential benefits for conditions like atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

Safety and Precautions

Bilberry fruit is generally considered safe when consumed in typical food amounts or as a short-term supplement. However, bilberry leaves may be unsafe if taken orally in high doses or for extended periods. Additionally, bilberry may interact with certain medications, such as the cancer drug erlotinib (Tarceva) and antidiabetic drugs, as well as medications that affect blood clotting.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The safety of bilberry during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not well-established. Consuming amounts typically found in food is generally considered safe, but it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider before using bilberry supplements.

Dosage and Interactions

There is no established safe or effective dosage for bilberry supplements. The appropriate dose may vary depending on the intended use and the individual’s health condition. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider before taking bilberry, especially if you are currently taking any medications, as it may interact with certain drugs.

Interactions to Consider

• Erlotinib (Tarceva): Bilberry may interact with this cancer medication.
• Antidiabetic drugs: Bilberry may interact with medications used to manage diabetes.
• Blood-thinning medications: Bilberry may affect the blood-clotting process and should be used with caution by individuals taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs.

Navigating the Bilberry Landscape

Given the limited scientific evidence on the effectiveness of bilberry for various health conditions, it’s important to approach its use with caution and in consultation with a healthcare provider. While the traditional uses of bilberry are well-documented, more high-quality research is needed to confirm its potential benefits and establish safe and effective dosages.

Taking Charge of Your Health

When considering any complementary or alternative health approaches, it’s crucial to have open and honest discussions with your healthcare provider. Together, you can make informed decisions about the appropriate use of bilberry and other supplements to support your overall well-being.

Trusted Resources for More Information

For the most up-to-date and reliable information on bilberry and other complementary health approaches, consider consulting the following trusted resources:

• NCCIH Clearinghouse: Provides information on complementary health approaches, including bilberry.
• PubMed: A comprehensive database of scientific and medical literature, which can be a valuable source for research on bilberry and its potential uses.
• Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), National Institutes of Health (NIH): Offers resources and fact sheets on a variety of dietary supplements, including bilberry.

Conclusion

Bilberry, with its long history of traditional use and intriguing scientific potential, remains a topic of ongoing research and interest. While the current evidence supporting its efficacy for various health conditions is limited, the berry’s high concentration of antioxidant-rich anthocyanins continues to spark curiosity about its possible benefits. As with any complementary or alternative health approach, it’s crucial to approach bilberry use with caution, open communication with healthcare providers, and a commitment to staying informed through reliable sources.

Bilberry | NCCIH

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Common Names: bilberry, European blueberry, whortleberry, huckleberry

Latin Names: Vaccinium myrtillus

Background

• The bilberry bush is native to northern areas of Europe and Asia, the northern United States, and Canada. Its dark berries resemble blueberries.
• Its name is derived from the Danish word bollebar, which means “dark berry.”
• Bilberry has been used for medicinal purposes since the Middle Ages. The berries and leaves are the parts of the plant that are used. Historically, bilberry has been used for a variety of conditions, including diarrhea, inflammation of the mouth, urinary problems, and diabetes. It’s also been used traditionally to prevent scurvy, due to its high vitamin C content. During World War II, British pilots ate bilberry jam, thinking it would improve their night vision.
• Today, bilberry is promoted as a dietary supplement for night vision, cataracts, varicose veins, and other conditions such as atherosclerosis (in which plaque builds up in arteries).

How Much Do We Know?

• There are few high-quality clinical trials (studies in people) of bilberry supplements.

What Have We Learned?

• There’s little scientific evidence to support the use of bilberry for many health conditions.
• A few recent studies have suggested possible beneficial effects of bilberry. However, these studies involved small numbers of people. More research would be needed to confirm these findings.
  • Results from a small clinical study (24 people) suggest that consuming bilberries may reduce gum inflammation and bleeding.
  • Data from a Japanese study with 88 office workers suggest that a bilberry extract helped with eye fatigue.
  • Data from a small study with 21 people suggest that consuming bilberry juice for 5 days before and 2 days after a half-marathon may lead to small to moderate transient increases in muscle soreness and inflammation in recreationally trained runners.
• The berries have a high concentration of polyphenols called anthocyanins, which some studies suggest may have health benefits.

What Do We Know About Safety?

• Bilberry fruit is considered safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods, or as an extract for 6 months to a year.
• Bilberry leaves may be unsafe when taken orally (by mouth) in high doses or for long periods of time.
• Little is known about whether it’s safe to use bilberry during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. (Consuming amounts typically found in foods is considered safe.)
• Bilberry may interact with a cancer drug called erlotinib (Tarceval), antidiabetes drugs, or medications that slow blood clotting. If you’re taking medicine, talk with your health care provider before taking bilberry supplements.

Keep in Mind

• Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.

NCCIH Clearinghouse

The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

Telecommunications relay service (TRS): 7-1-1

Website: https://www.nccih.nih.gov

Email: [email protected] (link sends email)

PubMed®

A service of the National Library of Medicine, PubMed® contains publication information and (in most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals. For guidance from NCCIH on using PubMed, see How To Find Information About Complementary Health Approaches on PubMed.

Website: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public. Its resources include publications (such as Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know) and fact sheets on a variety of specific supplement ingredients and products (such as vitamin D and multivitamin/mineral supplements).

Website: https://ods.od.nih.gov

Email: [email protected] (link sends email)

Key References

• Bilberry. Natural Medicines website. Accessed at naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com on October 14, 2019. [Database subscription].
• Bilberry. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548250/ on October 29. 2019.
• Lynn A, Garner S, Nelson N, et al. Effect of bilberry juice on indices of muscle damage and inflammation in runners competing a half-marathon: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2018;15:22.
• Ozawa Y, Kawashima M, Inoue S, et al. Bilberry extract supplementation for preventing eye fatigue in video display terminal workers. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. 2015;19(5):548-554.
• Tjelle TE, Holtung L, Bøhn SK, et al. Polyphenol-rich juices reduce blood pressure measures in a randomized controlled trial in high normal and hypertensive volunteers. British Journal of Nutrition. 2015;114(7):1054-1063.
• Widén C, Coleman M, Critén M, et al. Consumption of bilberries controls gingival inflammation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2015;16(5):10,665-10,673.
• Yamaura K, Shimada M, Ueno K. Anthocyanins from bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) alleviate pruritus in a mouse model of chronic allergic contact dermatitis. Pharmacognosy Research. 2011;3(3):173-177.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCIH has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider(s). We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCIH.

Last Updated: August 2020

Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a plant that produces berries similar to the American blueberry. The dried fruit and leaves are used as medicine.

Bilberry contains chemicals called tannins. They might help reduce swelling. The chemicals in bilberry leaves might also help to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and improve circulation in people with diabetes.

People use bilberry for night vision, poor circulation that can cause the legs to swell, high blood pressure, and many other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Ineffective for

• Ability to see in low-light conditions. Taking bilberry by mouth doesn’t improve night vision in healthy people. It isn’t clear if bilberry is helpful in people with night blindness.

There is interest in using bilberry for a number of other purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Eating dried, ripe bilberry fruit in typical food amounts is likely safe for most people. Bilberry fruit extracts are possibly safe when taken in doses up to 160 mg daily for up to 6 months. But bilberry leaf is possibly unsafe to take in high doses or for a long time.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Eating dried, ripe bilberry fruit in typical food amounts is likely safe for most people. Bilberry fruit extracts are possibly safe when taken in doses up to 160 mg daily for up to 6 months. But bilberry leaf is possibly unsafe to take in high doses or for a long time. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Bilberry fruit is likely safe when consumed in small amounts as a food. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use bilberry in the higher doses found in medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Surgery: Bilberry might affect blood sugar levels. This could interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking bilberry at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

• Bilberry might lower blood sugar levels. Taking bilberry along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

• Bilberry might slow blood clotting. Taking bilberry along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

• Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Bilberry might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Dosing

Bilberry fruit has most often been used by adults in doses of 160-240 mg by mouth daily for up to 6 months. Bilberry extracts are usually standardized to contain a certain amount of chemicals called anthocyanins. Products providing 120-160 mg of these chemicals daily have been used for up to 6 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

health benefits and harms for men, women, children

The history of the appearance of blueberries in nutrition

Blueberries are a shrub from the lingonberry family. Berries ripen from mid-summer. Blueberries are common in coniferous-deciduous forests on moist soil. It grows mainly in the European part of Russia, in Siberia and Karelia.

Traditionally, this berry is considered Russian. Blueberries occupy vast territories, serve as an important honey plant for bees. The Russian name for blueberries comes from the word “blacken” – to paint hands and mouth with juice. The Latin name takes its roots from the word “cow”, since the leaves of this plant were used to feed cattle.

Blueberries contain a bright coloring substance that is an indicator of acidity – when it decreases, the color changes to blue. This dye is used when branding meat, dyeing wool and canvases.

The Blueberry Festival is held annually in the Perm Territory. In 2012, they made a pie from this berry 70 meters long – it entered the Guinness Book of Records.

Blueberry composition and calories

90 019 7.6 g

Blueberry benefits

Blueberries are an excellent source of vitamins, especially A , C and B vitamins. There are a lot of manganese, magnesium and calcium in these berries.

Anthocyanins, natural antioxidants, give blueberries their dark color. Most of the antioxidants are in blueberries. They are able to bind free radicals and protect against cell damage. This reduces the risk of tumor formation. Anthocyanins also reduce the risk of diseases of the heart, blood vessels and eyes.

In addition to anthocyanins, this berry also contains other antioxidants: flavonoids, tannins, which have a similar effect and suppress inflammation.

Bilberry extract is very well known in ophthalmology. Many unscrupulous firms distort the real effects of blueberry active ingredients and promise “eye like an eagle.” This is wrong. Indeed, by improving the blood circulation of the retina, the risk of retinal detachment is reduced, and this is where the beneficial properties of blueberries for vision end.

Fresh and dried berries help in the treatment of diarrhea, as well as gastritis, peptic ulcer.

Bilberry leaves are also useful – they have an insulin-like effect and reduce sugar in diabetes.

Harm of blueberries

— It is undesirable to use these berries in case of urolithiasis. Blueberries can cause new stones to form.

Berries, should be consumed in moderation (about 100 g), otherwise it can provoke allergies and lead to constipation, says gastroenterologist Olga Arisheva .

Medicinal uses of blueberries

Both berries and leaves are used medicinally. The most famous property is supposedly to improve twilight vision, and generally increase its sharpness. According to scientific studies, blueberries are really good for the eyes, but they do not improve vision. This berry improves blood circulation, reduces the risk of retinal detachment, and treats some other eye diseases. Blueberries are part of many fees and dietary supplements for eye health. Useful for those who strain their eyes a lot in connection with their profession. However, blueberries, alas, cannot improve vision itself.

In addition to the well-known properties, blueberries have the ability to fix, so they are effective against diarrhea. The leaves are also used in the treatment of diabetes – neomyrtillin glycoside is able to reduce blood sugar. Also, the shoots of this plant are part of some herbal preparations for the prevention of diabetes.

Bilberry uses in cooking

Berry is excellent for baking and desserts, various drinks. The juice is often used as a coloring agent for liqueurs.

Blueberry pie

Simple sponge cake with fragrant berry filling

Photo: pixabay.com

9 0018

Blueberries	350 g
Flour	400 g
Milk	250 ml
Sugar	100 g
Butter	100 g
Eggs	3 pcs.
Baking soda	pinch
Salt	to taste
Powdered sugar	100 g along with sugar. Add soft butter and milk, stir. Add flour, salt and soda, mix quickly. Pour the batter into a baking dish. Sort blueberries, wash and drain. You can use frozen – then you do not need to defrost. Put the berries on top of the dough, sprinkle with powdered sugar and bake the cake in an oven preheated to 200 degrees for 30 minutes. Share your recipe Send your signature dish recipe to [email protected] . Komsomolskaya Pravda will publish the most interesting and unusual ideas Blueberry ice cream Bright ice cream made from simple ingredients. Only immersion blender or mixer with blades needed Photo: pixabay.com Blueberries 300g Sour cream 25 0 g Sugar 75 g Puree fresh or frozen blueberries. Add sour cream, sugar and mix everything until sugar dissolves. Pour the puree into a wide container in a thin layer to make it easier to break the ice later with a blender. Put the container in the freezer for an hour, take it out and beat with a blender. Remove again for an hour and beat again, repeat after an hour. This is done in order to break up the ice crystals and get a smooth ice cream texture. How to choose and store blueberries When choosing blueberries, pay attention to the waxy coating. If it is, then the blueberries are as fresh as possible. Berries should not be soft, have a smell of fermentation and let juice. Fresh berries even in the refrigerator are stored for only a couple of days – after that they become soft and release juice. Before this, it is better not to wash the blueberries, but to wash each batch immediately before eating. You can freeze blueberries. Before that, it needs to be sorted out, cleaned of litter and washed. Let the water drain and dry on a towel. After that, pour into a container in a thin layer and freeze. When the berries are set, they can be transferred to bags. This method will not allow them to stick together and become limp. So the berries lie for up to a year. Dried blueberries keep in a dark place in glass for about 2 years. Blueberries – useful properties and calorie content, use and preparation, benefits and harms Dietary tables Table No. 1: for ulcers and gastritis (5) Table No. 2: for gastritis, colitis and liver diseases (5) Table No. 3: for intestinal diseases (5) PP recipes PP breakfasts ( 74) BB Lunch (56) BB Dinner (74) BB Desserts (75) Low Glycemic Meals (30) Recipes for children Recipes for children 2-3 years old (428) Recipes for children from 3 years old (950) Recipes for children 1-2 years old (176) By type of dish Pastries and desserts (1913) Basic dishes (1800)Appetizers (1048)Salads (747)Cocktails (389)Soups (352)Breakfasts (344)Pasta (136)Marinades (76)Sandwiches (76)Pizza (58)Bouillons (2) National cuisine Russian (357) Italian (200) French (105) Georgian (67) American (65) European (52) Ukrainian (43) Japanese (39))English (31) Mexican (30) Spanish (24) Uzbek (22) Greek (19) Indian (19) Chinese (19) other cuisines Time 3 to 10 minutes (1101) 10 to 25 minutes (2654) 25 minutes to 1 hour (3833) 1 to 2 hours (575) more than 2 hours (201) several days (14) Preferences Vegetarian dish (321) Lenten menu ( 488) Children’s menu (215) Low-calorie dish (135) In a slow cooker (33) In a bread machine (11) Steamed (33) For the holiday Favorite Recipes (161)Birthday (104)Valentine’s Day (85)Shrovetide (118)Recipes for the New Year 2021 (308)Christmas (35)Picnic (27)Halloween (8)March 8 (56)Lent (225) )Easter recipes (46) Articles Favorites Voice navigatorAbout the projectFeedbackUser agreementPrivacy policy Go back H Blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus ) Description Bilberry is a low (only 10–50 cm) shrub of the lingonberry family. The leaves are alternate, ovate, leathery, falling in the winter. Leaves and petioles have deep grooves through which rainwater rolls down to the root. The flowers are greenish-white, sitting one at a time, tilted down – this protects them from dampness. Blueberries are black or bluish-black due to the waxy coating of the berries. The flesh is purple, with many seeds. Blueberries taste sweet. Photo by Sviatoslav Huzii on UnsplashSource: unsplash Blueberries strongly stain the hands and tongue – hence the popular names: chernega, blueberries, blueberries, etc. Distribution countries. This plant is a northern resident, preferring wet and swampy soils. Blueberries usually grow in coniferous-deciduous forests, forming entire plantations. In a fruitful year, up to a ton of berries per hectare can be harvested from a good blueberry. Blueberries are widely distributed in the European part of Russia, in Siberia and Karelia. Bilberry is also a good honey plant, blueberry honey is fragrant, transparent, with a reddish tinge and a peculiar taste. Application Blueberries are used to make jams, jams, marmalade, fillings for delicious pies, dumplings, used as a decoration for cakes, ice cream, yoghurts, for coloring pale compotes. Blueberries are dried, frozen, raw jam is prepared (berries grated with sugar, preserving the maximum amount of vitamins). All kinds of desserts, casseroles, liqueurs are prepared from blueberries. But in season it is necessary to eat this healthy berry fresh. Composition and properties Blueberries contain vitamins A, C and PP, vitamins of group B. Berries contain organic acids, micro- and macroelements, tannins, essential oils and alcohols, phytoncides. Blueberry leaves also contain many useful biologically active substances and are often used in folk medicine. The most famous property of blueberries is the ability to significantly improve eyesight. Bilberry accelerates retinal renewal, expands the field of view, enhances its sharpness, reduces eye fatigue, especially when working at a computer, at dusk, at night and under artificial lighting. Blueberry preparations have vasoconstrictive and antibacterial properties, heal the intestines. Tea with the addition of blueberry juice and pure juice have a diuretic effect, they are used for sand in the kidneys and for bedwetting. Water infusions of blueberries are used for sore throats, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, stomatitis. Fresh berries, as well as jelly from them, are useful for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, preventing putrefactive and fermentation processes in the intestines. Decoctions and infusions of the leaves are used to treat wounds and rinse the mouth. The leaves contain neomertillin, which lowers blood sugar, which is useful for diabetics to know. Contraindications People suffering from oxilaturia (a type of urolithiasis) should not consume fresh berries and blueberry juice. In case of duodenal dysfunction, blueberries should not be abused either. Blueberry calories and nutritional value Blueberry calories – 44 kcal. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * Name * Email * Website