Bilberry Leaves 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Bilberry Leaves  100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:
Bilberry is said to possess antioxidant and antiseptic properties. It has several pharmacological actions, such as wound healing, anti-ulcer, anti-artery clogging, and vasoprotective (keeps blood flowing). Bilberry extract strengthens capillaries, which not only protects the eye from the hemorrhaging associated with diabetic retinopathy, but also aids in treating other vascular disorders, such as varicose veins. Extracts of the leaves in animals have been shown to kill Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (E. coli). It is approved by the German Commission E for treatment of diarrhea (taken internally) and inflammation of the mouth and pharynx (used topically).

Cataracts. In one study, bilberry prevented the development of further lens opacity in the eyes of 97 percent of the patients with mild senile cortical cataracts. A bilberry extract of 180 milligrams and 100 milligrams of vitamin E was given twice a day for eight months. After four months, improvements were observed in the treatment group but not the placebo group.

Diabetes. Bilberry’s component (anthocyanosides) may help patients with diabetic retinopathy. This is a progressive worsening of vision caused by elevated blood glucose levels. In one study, using 160 milligrams of bilberry anthocyanosides extract (Myrtocyan) twice a day for one month improved the eyes in 77 to 90 percent of the participants. Using a different preparation of the bilberry (Tegens) at the same concentration and dose for one year, improvements were seen in 50 percent of the patients compared to 20 percent in the placebo group. Patients with diabetic retinopathy have an increase in polymeric collagen synthesis in the eye, which leads to eye damage. Using 600 milligrams of bilberry anthocyanosides per day for two months decreased the synthesis of this collagen. Several human studies have shown that bilberry extracts have improved symptoms in patients with retinopathy related to diabetes. Patients experienced changes in their eye tests that revealed the retinas were becoming normal. Retinal hemorrhage decreased or disappeared, less collagen was made, which is seen in retinopathy, and the retinas looked healthier when the doctor used an ophthalmoscope. Patients took an extract of about 160 milligrams of bilberry anthocyanosides twice a day in most studies.

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). Bilberry may help women with painful periods. In one study, taking anthocyanins from bilberry (320 milligrams per day) resulted in fewer women with a history of chronic primary dysmenorrhea having nausea, vomiting, and breast tenderness.

Heart disease. Bilberry extracts serve as antioxidants to reduce the oxidation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease. It also increases cAMP, which in turn reduces thromboxane A2 in the platelets, which clot the blood. These actions improve blood flow and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In one study, using 480 milligrams of bilberry anthocyanin along with vitamin C (3 grams daily) resulted in decreased platelet aggregation (stickiness) after thirty to sixty days.

Night vision problems. In addition to stimulating circulation in the eye, bilberry stimulates the regeneration of rhodopsin, the purple pigment that is used by the rods in the eye for night vision. This effect has been confirmed in some but not all clinical observations and controlled tests. The use of 240 milligrams of bilberry anthocyanoside improved night vision the best, two hours after ingestion. The response of the pupil to light was demonstrated by greater contraction, faster movement, and greater acceleration in less time. Improvement to macular recovery as well as night vision was found in subjects after using 60 milligrams of anthocyanosides for one week. Use of bilberry extracts seemed to improve retinal sensitivity even in daylight so that objects were less fuzzy and clearer, and twilight vision also was improved. The participants took 150 milligrams a day of dry hypo alcohol bilberry extract.

Peptic ulcer. In animal studies, cyanidins from bilberry counteract the formation of peptic ulcers caused by alcohol, allergy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), and stress. The bilberry is able to reduce prostaglandin E2 without affecting stomach acid. This was accomplished by taking 600 milligrams of anthocyanin pigment from bilberry, twice daily for ten days. These changes are important to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and still allow food to be digested.

Venous insufficiency. In one study, both pregnant women and patients with varicose veins experienced improved blood flow, reduced bruising, less leg swelling and pain, and less of a heavy feeling in their legs. Participants in the study used 240 to 320 milligrams a day of bilberry anthocyanosides.

Recommended Uses
Bilberry is available in tablets and capsules made from bilberry extract and as a dried herb bagged for making teas. Some products combine bilberry with lutein, another supplement useful in maintaining eye health. The active ingredients in bilberry extracts break down rapidly in the body. For this reason, frequent, small doses are preferable to larger, less frequent doses. Bilberry herbal extract in capsules or tablets standardized to provide 36 percent anthocyanosides can be taken in the amount of 60 to 160 milligrams three times per day.

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. You should not use extremely high doses of bilberry teas or take teas of this herb for more than one month at a time. If blood appears in the urine, discontinue use. Bilberry should not be taken during pregnancy or lactation. If you are taking anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin), or if you have bleeding disorders, check with your doctor before taking bilberry, as the anticoagulant.

Botanical Name: Vaccinium myrtillus
English: Blueberry
Also, known as: Bickbeere, Moll berry, Whortleberry Black Whortles. Whinberry. Trackleberry. Huckleberry, Hurtleberry, Adara, Airelle, Blue berry, Bog bilberry, Bickbeere, European blueberry, Blaubeere, Brimbelle Blaeberry, Blauessen,
Habitat: Europe & North America
Origin: Albania
Harvested: Wild
Part used: Leaves

General Information:
Bilberry is native to Europe including Britain and North America. The shrub grows to a height of around 2 meters, has green deciduous, alternate and 5-15 mm wide leaves with 4-5 lobe corolla pale pink or white flower, around 6 mm wide,5 mm long, in clusters followed by two or three round fruit known as Blueberries. They nourish best on acidic soil and high grounds. The shrub of Bilberry forms large colonies from creeping rhizomes. Leaves and fruit of this plant are used as an herb.

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.