Bilberry

General Information 

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.

Common Name(s) 
Bilberry, European  blueberry, whortleberry, huckleberry

Scientific Name(s)
Vaccinium myrtillus

How is Bilberry usually used?

The fruit of the bilberry plant can be eaten or made into extractextractto get, separate, or isolate a desired active ingredients. Similarly, the leaves of the bilberry plant can be made into extracts or used to make teas. 

What is  Bilberry used for? 

Historically, bilberry fruit was used to treat diarrhea, scurvyscurvya condition caused by vitamin C deficiency with symptoms of nausea, weakness, loss of hair  and teeth, and bleeding gums, and  other conditions.

Today, the fruit is used to treat 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), and other circulatory problems.

Bilberry leaf is used for entirely different conditions, including diabetes.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions. 

What else should I  be aware of? 

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.

Bilberry fruit is considered safe. However, high doses of bilberry leaf or leaf extractextractto get, separate, or isolate a desired active ingredient are considered unsafe due to possible toxic side effects. 

Before taking  any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.