| The dried fruit of the bilberry contains 5% to | | | | For eye disorders: 80 to 160 mg dry extract |
| 10% tannins, which act as an as tringent; these | | | | (25% anthocyanosides) by mouth three times a |
| tannins may help target the bowel and help treat | | | | day . |
| diarrhea. The anthocyanidins in bilberry help | | | | For inflammation: 10% decoction prepared by |
| prevent angina episodes, reduce capillary fragility, | | | | adding 5 to 10 g of crushed dried fruit to 5 oz of |
| and stabilize tissues that have collagen-like tendons | | | | cold water, boiling for 10 minutes, then straining |
| and ligaments. They also inhibit platelet aggregation | | | | while hot, applied topically as an astringent |
| and thrombus formation by interacting with | | | | For acute diarrhea: 20 to 60 g of dried fruit by |
| vascular prostaglandins. The anthocyanidins also | | | | mouth every day. |
| help regenerate rhodopsin, a light sensitive | | | | Side Effects of Bilberry |
| pigment found on the rods of the retina, so | | | | Because the herb may inhibit platelet aggregation, |
| bilberry may help treat degenerative retinal | | | | it may be unsuitable for those with a bleeding |
| conditions, macular degeneration, poor night vision, | | | | disorder. Bilberry may have additive effects when |
| glaucoma, and cataracts. | | | | used with the drug warfarin. |
| The antioxidant effects of anthocyanidins may | | | | Clinical considerations |
| also give bilberry vasoprotective and | | | | Because bilberry may reduce a diabetic patient's |
| hepatoprotective properties. The anthocyanidin | | | | blood glucose level, dosage of his conventional |
| pigment in the herb may increase the gastric | | | | antidiabetic may need to be adjusted. |
| mucosal release of prostaglandin E2, accounting | | | | Consistent dosing of bilberry is needed when using |
| for the antiulcerative and gastroprotective | | | | the herb to treat vascular or ocular conditions. |
| effects. Bilberry is available as a dried fruit, a 10% | | | | Advise patient who's using the dried fruit to take |
| decoction for topical use, a dry extract (25% | | | | each dose with a full glass of water. |
| anthocyanosides) in 80 mg capsules, and a 1:1 fluid | | | | If patient is using bilberry to treat diarrhea, advise |
| extract. It's available in products such as Bilberry | | | | him to consult his health care provider if it doesn't |
| Power. | | | | improve in 3 to 4 days. |
| Benefits And Uses of Bilberry | | | | Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist |
| Bilberry is used to treat acute diarrhea and mild | | | | of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's |
| inflammation of the mucous membranes of the | | | | taking when obtaining a new prescription. |
| mouth and throat. It's also used to provide | | | | Advise patient to consult his health care provider |
| symptomatic relief from vascular disorders | | | | before using an herbal preparation because a |
| (including capillary weakness, venous insufficiency, | | | | treatment with proven efficacy may be available. |
| and hemorrhoids), to prevent macular | | | | Research summary |
| degeneration, and for its potential | | | | A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of bilberry |
| hepatoprotective properties. | | | | extract in 14 people with damage to the retina |
| Administration | | | | caused by diabetes and/or hypertension found |
| Dried fruit: 4 to 8 g by mouth with water several | | | | significant improvements observable by |
| times every day . | | | | ophthalmoscopic examination and angiography. |
| Fluid extract: 2 to 4 ml by mouth three times a | | | | However, this was a very preliminary study. |
| day . | | | | |