Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus): the health benefits

Bilberry is often referred to as the European blueberry and has long been eaten in jams, pies, cobblers and cakes.

Vaccinium myrtillus L. is a small edible berry which grows on small wiry shrubs on hillsides throughout Central and Northern Europe. Bilberry is a shrub that grows to about 16 inches high.

It has oval, pointed leaves and small pink and white flowers. It is smaller and blue throughout the pulp, a visible sign that it is even richer in anthocyanins, pigments that are high in health promoting antioxidants.

Among the 450 species belonging to the genus Vaccinium, the traditional medicinal use of Vaccinium myrtillus L. has been documented since the Middle Ages, when its fruits were recommended for a variety of conditions, and from the 16th century the plant has been systematically mentioned in all major herbal treatises.

It has a long history of being used as a treatment for diabetes. Bilberry extract may play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma via its effect on collagen structures in the eye. It has been used historically as a treatment for fevers, coughs, renal stones and urinary tract infections, intestinal and liver disorders, hemorrhoids, and infections of the skin and mucus membranes. It was also used to treat a variety of eye disorders including myopia, eyestrain, impaired night vision and cataracts.

More recently, bilberry fruit extracts have been used for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, and mouth and throat inflammations. Bilberry extracts also can help protect the stomach against ulcers, it stimulates production of stomach mucus, which protects against digestive acids.

Researchers have long known that the pharmacologically active constituents in bilberries are flavonoids known as anthocyanosides. The major American use for bilberry fruit is to treat ocular disorders; it is used to aid night vision, prevent the development and progression of cataracts, treat diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, and prevent glaucoma. During World War II, British fighter pilots reported improved nighttime vision after eating bilberry jam.
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus): the health benefits

Bioflavonoid of anthocyanosides in bilberry

The scientist determined that the best source of antioxidants are the dark colored fruits contain generous amounts of anthocyanosides including bilberry. They are compounds with antioxidants properties. 

Anthocyanosides in bilberry are important for the integrity of blood vessel, especially those in the retina of the eye.

The anthocyanosides may offer significant protection against the development of cataracts, and stop progression of cataract formation; may offer significant protection against the development of macular degeneration.

By ensuring of good circulation and fending off free radical damage, anthocyanosides keeps the capillary strong and healthy. It deterring bruising, ensuring good circulation to connective tissue, preserving the blood supply to the eyes, and helping to ward off heart disease.

Anthocyanosides can help treat varicose veins by strengthening their structure. In an Italian study when 47 people received anthocyanosides (bilberry extract) of varicose vein, they experienced significant improvement in their symptoms.

The anthocyanosides are thought to affect collagen metabolism by enhancing the cross-linking of fibers resulting in a stronger matrix of connective tissue such as tendon and cartilage.

It may prevent release of histamine and prostaglandins, which are compounds that promote inflammation.
Bioflavonoid of anthocyanosides in bilberry

Fruit of bilberry*

The bilberry is closely related to the blueberry. Sometimes bilberry s called European blueberry.

It grows in sandy areas and woods in the northern United States and in Europe, especially northern and central Europe. Bilberry is a shrub that grows to about 16 inches high.

It has oval, pointed leaves and small pink and white flowers. It is smaller and blue throughout the pulp, a visible sign that it is even richer in anthocyanins, pigments that are high in health promoting antioxidants.

In the late summer, its dark purple berries are ripe to pick.

It has a long history of being used as a treatment for diabetes. Bilberry extract may play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma via its effect on collagen structures in the eye.

Bilberry extracts also can help protect the stomach against ulcers, it stimulates production of stomach mucus, which protects against digestive acids.

Researchers have long known that the pharmacologically active constituents in bilberries are flavonoids known as anthocyanosides.

During World War II, British fighter pilots reported improved nighttime vision after eating bilberry jam.

Fruit of bilberry

Benefits of Bilberry

Benefits of Bilberry
Atherosclerosis and high blood pressure
With a well deserved reputation in the treatment of eye disease, bilberry has significant potential benefits for cardiovascular disease as well.

It is rich in anthocyanosides which help it prevent the damage to the interior of blood vessel that allows narrowing to begin.

Bilberry inhibits atherosclerosis, protects the heart during exertion, decreases inflammation and strengthens artery walls – all of which means that bilberry does for blood vessel.

Diabetes
Bilberry’s component anthocyanoside is an active blood sugar reducer. It is weaker than insulin but les toxic. This herb has beneficial effects on many problems that arise due to diabetes.

Diarrhea
Bilberry contains tannins that “tan” the interior lining of the intestines, keeping them from transporting water into the stool. Over the course of one or two days, this action relieves mild diarrhea.

Eye disorders
The anthocyanins in bilberry have potent antioxidant properties that can protect capillaries from free radical damage.

Because capillary damage is the primary factors in a number of eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts, bilberry extracts are often promoted as a source of protection.

Gout, inflammatory joint disease and rheumatoid arthritis
Anthocyanosides in bilberry, have a collagen stabilizing action.

Collagen is the most abundant protein of the body and is destroyed as a result of gout, inflammatory joint disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Anthocyanins prevent collagen destruction. They prevent the release and synthesis of compounds that promote inflammation.

They have been proven to have beneficial effects on collagen metabolism on many ways.

Peptic ulcer
In animal studies, cyanidins from bilberry counteract the formation of peptic ulcers caused by alcohol, allergy, nonsteroidal anti inflammatory agents and stress.

Prostatitis
Research has shown that bilberry and blueberry certain complex carbohydrates that keep E. coli bacteria from adhering to the linings of the bladder and the intestine, E. coli is often responsible for prostatitis.
Benefits of Bilberry