Bilberry is rich in anthocyanidins, anti-oxidant plant chemicals that help to lower blood pressure, inhibit clot formation, and enhance blood supply to the nervous system. Bilberry is also very good for the eyes.

About Billberry

Bilberry—Vaccinium myrtillus, of the blueberry (Ericaceae) family, and also called blueberry or huckleberry— is a shrub that grows about one foot in height and that produces sweet, blue berries. It is found in both North America and Europe on damp, acidic soils. The blue-black berries are used for medicinal purposes, though the leaves may also have beneficial properties.

Better Night Vision

In the sixteenth century, bilberries were often mixed with honey to create a syrup called rob, which was used to treat diarrhea. Today, this round bluish fruit is best known for promoting good vision. British World War II RAF pilots claimed to have better night vision after eating bilberry jam. Numerous scientific studies have confirmed that bilberry not only slows down visual degeneration but actually improves vision.

Bilberries have also traditionally been used as a remedy for indigestion and diabetes.

An Excellent Antioxidant

Bilberry contains anthocyanidins, which are phytochemicals (chemicals that partake in and monitor plant metabolism) that help to lower blood pressure, inhibit clot formation, and enhance blood supply to the nervous system. Studies indicate that anthocyanidins can provide up to fifty times the antioxidant protection of vitamin E and ten times the protection of vitamin C. In addition, this herb supports and strengthens collagen structures; inhibits the growth of bacteria; acts as an anti-inflammatory; and has both anti-aging and anti-carcinogenic properties. Test have also shown that the compound glucoquinine, found in bilberry leaves, helps to lower blood sugar levels.

The anthocyanidins in bilberry decrease vascular permeability. Exactly how bilberry accomplishes this is not quite understood yet, but it seems that the bilberry anthocyanidins interact with blood vessel collagen in such a way as to slow the enzymatic attack on the blood vessel wall. This in turn prevents leakage of capillaries, decreases ocular pressure and relieves painful edemas.

Bilberry seems to work much like horse chestnut and ginkgo in its ability to relieve vascular insufficiency, and like grape seed in its affinity for the capillaries. These microcirculatory improvements have wide ranging health benefits, as one might expect, including peripheral circulation and eye health.

Nutrina's Billberry

Nutrinas Bilberry is a powder and extract in capsule form.

Billberry Benefits

• Bilberry helps maintain strength and flexibility of red blood cell walls, and can help to lower blood pressure and inhibit clot formation.
  

Bilberries have numerous other beneficial effects, specifically:

• Help reduce artery plaque deposits that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure
  
  
• The anthocyanidins further protect veins and arteries—by increasing the synthesis of the collagen and mucopolysaccharides which help keep the arterial walls smooth, strong, and elastic.
  
  
• Atherosclerosis and high blood pressure—Bilberry extracts help to keep atherosclerotic plaques from forming on the linings of the arteries strengthening the collagen that makes up the arterial walls.
  
  
• Diarrhea—Bilberry contains tannins that “tan” the interior lining of the intestines, keeping them from transporting water into the stool.
  
  
• Eyes disorders—The anthocyanidins, in bilberry have potent antioxidant properties that can protect capillaries from free radical damage. Because capillary damage is the primary factor in a number of eye diseases, bilberry extracts are often promoted as a source of protection.
  
  
• Prostatitis—Research has shown that bilberry and blueberry contain complex carbohydrates that keep E. coli bacteria from adhering to the lining of the bladder and the intestines. E. coli is often responsible for prostatitis.
  
  
• The bilberry herb's popularity is growing as it continues to effectively improve the condition of the eye and promote overall vascular health.
  
  
• Interestingly, this is an herbal medicine that is thousands of years into use as a folk remedy for diarrhea (especially recommended for children), but it's most promising current application is for treatment of disorders of the eye. Its high levels of tannic acid, (responsible for its anti-diarrheal property), cinnamic acids, flavonols, anthocyanidins, and isoflavones make it highly beneficial to the eye.
  
  
• Positive results have been noted in studies examining the effect of bilberry in pigmentary retinitis, diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, retinal inflammation, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, cataract and night vision in normal subjects. The anthocyanidins in bilberry, which have the ability to protect and regenerate retinal purple (rhodopsin) are the primary agents responsible for its ability to heal the eyes.
  
  
• At least one study suggests additional benefits to the eye by adding vitamin E.
  

Billberry Best Use

Bilberry is available in tablets made from bilberry extract and as a dried herb bagged for making teas. Other products, such as Nutrina's Bilberry offers bilberry extract and powder in capsule form.

The active ingredients in bilberry extracts breaks down rapidly in the body, and for this reason it had been found that small, frequent doses of bilberry are preferable to larger, less frequent doses. Many of the earliest clinical studies of bilberry (conducted in the 1950s and 1960s) noted that its effects were greater when patients also took beta-carotene. For best results, you should eat dark-green, yellow, and orange vegetables daily while taking bilberry.

Billberry References

Effect of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on ischaemia reperfusion injury in hamster cheek pouch microcirculation. Bertuglia S, Malandrino S, Colantuoni A. Pharmacol Res. 1995 Mar-Apr;31(3-4):183-7.

Preventive Medical Treatment of Senile Cataract with Vitamin E and Anthocyanosides: Clinical Evaluation. G. Bravetti, Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul 115 (1989): 109.

Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Tyler, Varro E, PhD, ScD. American Botanical Council, 2000.

The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Blumenthal, Mark; Busse, Werner R; Goldberg, Alicia; Gruenwald, Joerg, PhD; Hall, Tara; Riggins, Chance W.; Rister, Robert S., Eds, Klein, Sigrid, PhD; Rister, Robert S, Trans, Tyler, VarroE, PhD, ScD.. American Botanical Council, 1998.

Effects of Vaccinium Myrtillus anthocyanosides on arterial vasomotion. Colantuoni A, Bertuglia S, Magistretti MJ, Donato L. Arzneimittelforschung. 1991 Sep;41(9):905-9.

PDR for Herbal Medicines.Gruenwald, Joerg, PhD; Brendler, Thomas, BA; Jaenicke, Christof, MD. Medical Economics Company, 1998.

Studies on vascular permeability in hypertension: action of anthocyanosides. Detre Z, Jellinek H, Miskulin M, Robert AM.. Clin Physiol Biochem 1986;4(2):143-9.

Vitamin Bible. Mindell, Earl

Vitamins & You. Benowieez, Robert

The People's Guide to Vitamins & Minerals. Bosco, Dominick

The Complete Book of Vitamins. Gottlieb, William

Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balch, M.D.

Prescription for Herbal Healing. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Try Bilberry - 60 Capsules @ 300 mg for 30 days. If you are not completely satisfied with the results, return the unused portion for a full product refund.