Ultimate Herbals Guide: Bilberry

Your Herb Guide to Bilberry

What is Bilberry?

Bilberry is a relative of the blueberry, and its fruit is commonly used to make pies and jams. It has been used for nearly 1,000 years in traditional European medicine. Bilberry grows in North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

This Herb Guide provides everything you need to know about the herb bilberry- it’s common names, how and why it’s used, whether it works and what it works for best, research conducted, whether or not it’s safe to take as an herbal dietary supplement, and the potential side effects and cautions. An herb, in general, is a plant or part of a plant which includes the flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and roots of the plant, used for its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties.

Common Names - Bilberry, European Blueberry, Whortleberry, Huckleberry

Latin Name - Vaccinium Myrtillus

What health conditions is Bilberry commonly thought to treat?

• Historically, bilberry fruit was used to treat diarrhea, scurvy, and other conditions.
• Today, the fruit is used to treat medical conditions which include:
  • Diarrhea
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Eye problems
  • Varicose veins
  • Venous insufficiency (a condition in which the veins do not efficiently return blood from the legs to the heart)
  • Other circulatory problems
• Bilberry leaf is used for helping entirely different conditions, including diabetes.

How is Bilberry used as an herbal dietary supplement?

The fruit of the bilberry plant can be eaten or made into extracts. Similarly, the leaves of the bilberry plant can be made into extracts or used to make teas.

What the Science Says

Does Bilberry work to help the conditions it’s commonly known to treat? Prove it!

• Some claim that bilberry fruit improves night vision, but clinical studies have not shown this to be true.
• There is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of bilberry fruit or leaf for any health conditions.

Side Effects and Cautions

Is Bilberry safe to take as an herbal dietary supplement?

What should I be careful of while supplementing my diet with Bilberry?

• Bilberry fruit is considered safe. However, high doses of bilberry leaf or leaf extract are considered unsafe due to possible toxic side effects.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.