Bilberry

As far back as the twelfth century St Hildegard of Bingen, the first woman to write a Herbal, wrote that Bilberry fruits were good for inducing menstruation. The 16th century German herbalist, Hieronymus Bock wrote that the berries were useful for the treatment of bladder stones, and lung and liver disorders.
Berries were used fresh or dried for winter use and then soaked in water to make infusions or syrups such as that used for centuries for the treatment of coughs.
In the 18th century, especially in Germany, bilberries, probably V. myrtillus became a valuable resource for herbalists and physicians, using extracts from dried berries as an infusion or tisane. The latter was used as an astringent for treating diarrhoea, as a diuretic, to prevent scurvy and as a mouthwash to soothe mouth ulcers as well as in the treatment of gout and rheumatism, and even to relieve the symptoms of typhoid fever.
During WW2 when British Royal Air Force pilots were on night-time bombing missions they reported that their sight was improved after eating bilberry jam. This report led to the first laboratory and clinical research, in the 1960's into the effects of bilberry fruit extracts on the eyes and indeed on the wider subject of the whole vascular system.
Air traffic controllers, airline pilots and truck drivers have also reported improved night time vision when given extracts of bilberry fruit.
Researchers reported that 76% of patients in their trials experienced a marked improvement in their short-sightedness after being given 150mg per day of a blueberry extract, plus vitamin A, for 15 days. They also reported that there was a significant reduction or disappearance of haemorrhages in the retinae of diabetes sufferers given a higher dose of extract for 30 days to one year.
The red, blue, or violet colour of the skin of bilberry is due to organic chemicals; and the anthocyanosides, which derive from these are the key to the beneficial effects of the fruit. At least 15 different anthocyanoside compounds have been identified from bilberry extracts. In addition there are up to 7% tannins, several alkaloids, twelve different phenolic acids and three glycosides in bilberry, which may all play a positive role for medicinal benefit.
The most effective medicinal use for bilberry extract appears to be for improving micro-circulation, thus its effects on the capillaries serving the eyes, mucous membranes of the digestive and pulmonary systems.
Improved capillaries also help to improve circulation to the connective tissues, which should help arthritis sufferers. Water retention in the legs, and varicose veins, general bruising and haemorrhoids are all problems that, according to the research so far, can be treated successfully with bilberry extract.
There are no reports of adverse effects due to the use of bilberry extract, nor are any expected. However, bilberry leaf in large amounts may be toxic, but no commercially available supplement will cause this problem if properly taken.