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The Historical use of Bilberries:
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Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a perennial shrub native to Northern Europe, Northern America, and Canada. The plant grows up to half a meter tall and has small dark leathery leaves and produces a fruit similar to the American blueberry. A member of the Ericaccae or Heath family, it is also known by the common names huckleberry and whortleberry.
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Tinctures and teas made from bilberry leaves have been consumed as food for centuries by many cultures in China and Europe. Their health benefits have traditionally been associated with the eyes and the urinary system.
Bilberries are a common traditional food and medicine of many Native American Indians. Some tribes still harvest them as a winter food source.
Bilberry jam has been popular in Britain for hundreds of years, and during World War II British pilots took it because they believed it improved night vision and reduced visual fatigue.
How Bilberry Works:
Scientific research has found that bilberry contains biologically powerful substances known as anthocyanosides, which are responsible for the red, blue or violet colors in flowers and fruits. Evidence suggests that anthocyanosides strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and generally stabilize all tissues containing collagen. Collagen is the main protein in the fluid matrix of the eye, and if it breaks down disease often follows. The eye muscles, which keep the eye in its correct shape, also require healthy collagen. Bilberry's anthocyanosides in particular have been found to interact with the eye.
Like most herbal medicines, positive effects obtained from the plant are not necessarily attributed to only one chemical component. At least twelve different phenolic acids help to contribute to bilberry's beneficial effects.
Recent research on Anthocyanins:
There is a growing body of clinical and traditional information on the positive effects of anthocyanins. Because bilberries are such an excellent source of anthocyanins, they are the subject of many scientific and clinical studies. Much research focuses on the ability of anthocyanins to strengthen and stabilize collagen. Collagen is an essential component of all connective tissue, including the thousand of tiny capillaries of the eye. Healthy capillaries reduce leakage and improve blood and oxygen delivery to the eye. Collagen is the main protein in the fluid matrix of the eye: if it breaks down, disease often follows. The eye muscles, which keep the eye in its correct shape, also require healthy collagen.
The antioxidant capabilities of anthocyanins could have a role to play in the prevention of macular degeneration and cataract formation, both of which are thought to be linked to free radical damage. Other studies document the effect of anthocyanins on night vision. Research on anthocyanins is also producing promising results in many other areas of health care.
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Recommended reading for more information:
1. McCaleb, R. Bilberry: herbal antioxidant ripe for the picking, Better Nutrition, November 1994, 56-60.
2. Murray M. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), American Journal of Natural Medicine, 4 (1): 18-22 (1997).
3. Belleoud, L. et al. Study on the effects of anthocyanin glucosides on the nocturnal vision of air traffic controllers, Revue de Medecine Aeronautique et Spatiale, No. 18, June 16, 1966. 210=Bravetti, G.O. et al. Preventive medical treatment of senile cataract with Vitamin E and Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides: clinical evaluation, Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul, 115:109-116 (1989).
4. Havsteen B. Flavonoids, a class of natural products of high pharmacological potency. Biochem Pharmacol 32: 1141<1148, 1983.
5. Gabor M. Pharmacologic effects of flavonoids on blood vessels. Angiologica 9: 355<374, 1972.
6. Mian E, et al. Anthocyanosides and the walls of microvessels: Further aspects of the mechanism of action of their protective effect in syndromes due to abnormal capillary fragility. Minerva Med 68: 3565<3581, 1977.
7. Wegmann R, et al. Effects of anthocyanosides on photo receptors. Cyto-enzymatic aspects. Ann Histochim 14: 237<256, 1969.
8. Cluzel C, Bastide P, Wegman R, et al. Enzymatic activities in the retina and anthocyanosides extracted from Vaccinium myrtillus(lactate dehydrogenase, alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluonate dehydrogenase, glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase,alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, 5-nucleotide, and phosphoglucose isomerase) (translated from French). Biochem Pharmacol 19: 2295<2302, 1970.
9. Wegmann R, et al. Effects of anthocyanosides on photo receptors. Cyto-enzymatic aspects. Ann Histochim 14: 237<256, 1969.
10. Bone K. et al. Mediherb Professional review 59(3):1007.
11. Bone K, et al. Mediherb Professional Review 59(3): 1997.
12. Bettini, V. et al. Effects of Vanninium mytrillus anthocyanosides on vascular smooth muscle. Fitoterapia v55, 1984
13. Lobay, D., ND. The Therapeutic Effect of Bilberry, Country Health Magazine, Spring 1993.
14. Detre, A. et al. Studies on vascular permeability in hypertension: action of anthocyanosides. Clinical Physiological. Biochemistry. V4, 1986.
15. Flynn, M.S. et al. Your Guide to Standardized Herbal Products, One World Press, 1995.
16. Jayle, G.E. et al. Étude concernant l'action sur la vision nocturne des anthocyanosides extraits de Vaccinium myrtillus. Annales d'Oculistique, v198, June 1965.
17. Colantuoni, A. et al. Effects of Vaccciniummyrtillus anthocyanosides on arterial vasomotion. Arzneimittel-Forschung, v41, Sept. 1991.
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