Herbs ~ Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Although the fruit of the bilberry bush has been enjoyed since prehistoric times, its first recorded medicinal use was in the sixteenth century. Historically, dried berry or leaf preparations were recommended for a variety of conditions, including scurvy (a disease caused by a vitamin C deficiency), urinary tract infections, and kidney stones.

A relative of the American blueberry, bilberry is a short, shrubby perennial that grows in the forests and wooded meadows of northern Europe. Bushes of these sweet blue-black berries are also found in western Asia and the Rocky Mountains of North America. The medically active components in the ripe fruit consist primarily of flavonoid compounds known as anthocyanosides. Accordingly, the modern medicinal form of bilberry is an extract containing a highly concentrated amount of these compounds.

Bilberry extract is the leading herbal remedy for maintaining healthy vision and managing various eye disorders. In particular, bilberry helps the retina, the light - sensitive portion of the eye adapt properly to both dark and light. It has been widely used to treat night blindness, as well as poor vision resulting from daytime glare.

With its ability to strengthen tiny blood vessels (capillaries) - and, in turn, facilitate the delivery of oxygen - rich blood to the eyes - bilberry may also play a significant role in preventing and treating degenerative diseases of the retina (retinopathy). In one study, 31 patients were treated with bilberry extract daily for four weeks. Use of the extract fortified the capillaries and reduced hemorrhaging in the eyes, especially in cases of diabetes - related retinopathy.

In addition, bilberry is useful for preventing macular degeneration (a progressive disorder affecting the central part of the retina) and cataracts (loss of transparency of the eye's lens) - two leading causes of vision loss in older people. A study of 50 patients with age - related cataracts found that bilberry extract combined with vitamin E supplements inhibited cataract formation in almost all of the participants. Because it can strengthen collagen - the abundant protein that forms the " backbone " of healthy connective tissue - bilberry may also be valuable in preventing and treating glaucoma, a disease caused by excessive pressure within the eye.

Because the anthocyanosides in bilberry improve blood flow in capillaries, as well as in larger blood vessels, bilberry in standardized extract form may be worthwhile for people with poor circulation in their extremities. It's helpful for varicose veins and for the pain and burning of hemorrhoids, particularly during pregnancy, when these conditions can be quite troublesome. People who bruise easily may also benefit from bilberry's salutary effect on capillaries.

Although more study is needed, limited data indicate that bilberry may have other uses as well. One study showed that long - term use of bilberry extract improved the vision of normally nearsighted people - although how it produced this effect is unknown. Preliminary results in women show that bilberry helps treat menstrual cramps because anthocyanosides relax smooth muscle, including the uterus. Also studies suggest that bilberry anthocyanosides may fight stomach ulcers.