Bilberry
(Vaccinium myrtillus)

General Info

Active Forms

Absorption

Dietary Sources

Dosage Info

Dosage Range
80-240mg (standardized extract) daily, in divided doses.

Tea: 1 cup, 2 to 3 times daily with one gram of herb per cup.(1)

A 10% decoction is prepared for external use.(1)

Most Common Dosage
80mg (standardized extract), 2 times daily.

Tea: 1 cup, 2 times daily with one gram of herb per cup.

A 10% decoction is prepared for external use.

Dosage Forms

Adult RDI

Adult ODA

Overview

Interactions

Drug/Herb Interactions
•	Anticoagulant medications
•	Antiplatelet medications

Bilberry is one of the most popular herbs on the market today. During World War II when British air pilots ate bilberries, they reported an improved ability to adjust to glare and an increase in their visual acuity and nighttime vision.(2) Bilberry extracts show promise in the areas of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and varicose veins.(3)

Toxicities & Precautions

General
No known toxicity.(4)

Health Conditions
Based on pharmacology, use in caution in individuals with bleeding disorders.

Pregnancy/Breast-Feeding
Use with caution in pregnancy.(5)

Age Limitations
Do not use in children under 2 years of age unless recommended by a physician.

Symptoms & Causes of Deficiency

Footnotes

¹ PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000:77.
² Jayle GE, et al. Study Concerning the Action of Anthocyanoside Extracts of Vaccinium myrtillus on Night Vision. Ann Ocul. Paris. 1965;198(6):556-62.
³ Morazonni P, et al. Vaccinium myrtillus. Fitoterapia. 1996; vol. LXVII, no. 1:3-29.
⁴ PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000:76.
⁵ Morazzoni P, et al. Vaccinium myrtillus Anthocyanosides Pharmacokinetics in Rats. Arzneim-Forsch/Drug Res. 1991;41(2):128-31.
View Abstract

Bilberry(Vaccinium myrtillus)

Bilberry
(Vaccinium myrtillus)