Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
This monograph compiles 3 documented constituents, 3 pharmacological actions, 9 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 11 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Key Constituents
The deep blue-purple pigments; the principal antioxidant constituents.
Contribute to antioxidant and astringent activity.
Minor nutritive constituents of the berry.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →Supports cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, including blood lipids (high cholesterol)
more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →Traditional support for eye strain and vision (note: rigorous trials do NOT support improved night vision in healthy eyes)
more plants for eye strain / eye health →detailed sources →inferred from venotonic action
more plants for haemorrhoids →detailed sources →Supports cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, including blood lipids (high cholesterol)
more plants for high cholesterol →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →inferred from venotonic action
more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →Supports capillary integrity and venous tone (traditional use for varicose veins / chronic venous insufficiency)
more plants for varicose veins →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
The berry is a food and generally very safe; long-term safety of concentrated high-dose extracts is less well characterised.
May lower blood sugar and has mild antiplatelet potential, so use cautiously alongside antidiabetic or anticoagulant/antiplatelet medication.
Claims that bilberry improves night vision in people with normal sight are not supported by rigorous clinical trials.
References
REF-0408, REF-1592, REF-1593, REF-1594, REF-1595, REF-1596, REF-1597, REF-1598, REF-1599References & Sources
- Canter, P.H. and Ernst, E (2004) 'Anthocyanosides of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) for night vision - a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials', Survey of Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2003.10.006 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.survophthal.2003.10.006 - Ulbricht, C., Basch, E., Basch, S., Bent, S. and others (2009) 'An evidence-based systematic review of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration', Journal of Dietary Supplements, 6(2), pp. 162-200. doi:10.1080/19390210902861858 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/19390210902861858 - Arevstrom, L., Bergh, C., Landberg, R., Wu, H. and others (2018) 'Freeze-dried bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) dietary supplement improves walking distance and lipids after myocardial infarction: an open-label randomized clinical trial', Nutrition Research, 62, pp. 13-22. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.11.008 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2018.11.008 - Haga, S., YiMin, Yamaki, H., Jin, S. and others (2019) 'Extracts of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruits improve liver steatosis and injury in mice by preventing lipid accumulation and cell death', Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 83(11), pp. 2110-2120. doi:10.1080/09168451.2019.1634514 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/09168451.2019.1634514 - Neamtu, A.A., Szoke-Kovacs, R., Mihok, E., Georgescu, C. and others (2020) 'Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Extracts Comparative Analysis Regarding Their Phytonutrient Profiles, Antioxidant Capacity along with the In Vivo Rescue Effects Tested on a Drosophila melanogaster High-Sugar Diet Model', Antioxidants, 9(11), pp. 1067. doi:10.3390/antiox9111067 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9111067 - Gaspar, D.P., Lechtenberg, M. and Hensel, A (2021) 'Quality Assessment of Bilberry Fruits (Vaccinium myrtillus) and Bilberry-Containing Dietary Supplements', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(7), pp. 2213-2225. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.0c07784 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c07784 - Dare, A.P., Gunther, C.S., Grey, A.C., Guo, G. and others (2021) 'Resolving the developmental distribution patterns of polyphenols and related primary metabolites in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) fruit', Food Chemistry, 374, pp. 131703. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131703 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131703 - Prokop, J., Lnenickova, K., Cibicek, N., Kosina, P. and others (2019) 'Effect of bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 129, pp. 382-390. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2019.04.051 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2019.04.051 - Pires, T.C.S.P., Dias, M.I., Calhelha, R.C., Alves, M.J. and others (2020) 'Development of new bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) based snacks: Nutritional, chemical and bioactive features', Food Chemistry, 334, pp. 127511. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127511 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127511 - Chan, S.W. and Tomlinson, B (2020) 'Effects of Bilberry Supplementation on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Risk', Molecules. doi:10.3390/molecules25071653 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25071653 - Kopcekova, J. and Mrazova, J (2022) 'Phytonutrients of bilberry fruit and saskatoon berry in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia', Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny, 73(3), pp. 265--274. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2022.0216 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh.2022.0216
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