Name
Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry)
Medical Indication
Part of the plant which can be used
Present in the market
- Herbal tea.
- Soft capsules
- Hard capsules.
- Dried bilberry fruit.
Medical Use and Dosage – mode of administration
VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS fruits are traditionally used to treat health problems such as diarrhea, conditions of increased fragility of blood vessels, and chronic venous insufficiency.
It is used to treat unspecific acute diarrhea and mild inflammation of the oropharyngeal mucosa.
It can be used in herbal tea, and the suggested dosage is 1 glass 2-3 times a day.
A tea made from the dried leaves is strongly astringent, diuretic, tonic and an antiseptic for the urinary tract. It is also a remedy for diabetes if taken for a prolonged period.
The leaves should not be used medicinally for more than 3 weeks at a time.
A distilled water made from the leaves is an excellent eyewash for soothing inflamed or sore eyes;
The fruit is a rich source of anthocyanosides, which have been shown experimentally to dilate the blood vessels, this makes it a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, hemorrhoids and capillary fragility.
The fresh fruit has a slightly laxative effect upon the body, when dried it is astringent and is commonly used in the treatment of diarrhea;
The dried fruit is antibacterial. The skin of the fruits contains anthocyanin and is specific in the treatment of hemeralopia (day-blindness);
In capillary fragility, it can be used in soft and hard capsules, taking in consideration the medical description. It is also used in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal inflammations, mouth infection, scurvy and urinary complaints. It can be used in dried bilberry fruit preparation, and the suggested dosage is 10-15 g dried fruit.
For more information see:
http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2015/12/WC500198371.pdf
Combinations & Contraindications
It is contraindicated to be used during pregnancy without medical surveillance.
Recognized Ethnobotanical use
Vaccinium is used to treat many health problems such as diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal inflammation, haemorrhoids, gastrointestinal inflammations, and mouth infection.