Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
also known as European blueberry
Moderate
A small dark-purple European cousin of the blueberry, traditionally used for diarrhea, mouth inflammation, and circulation. Bilberry gained particular attention during World War II, when British Royal Air Force pilots were said to eat bilberry jam to improve their night vision before sorties. The pilot story is mostly myth, but bilberry's circulation and eye-tissue effects have real evidence behind them.
- Eases the heavy, swollen leg symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency
- Strengthens capillary walls and may reduce capillary fragility
- May support eye health, particularly in conditions involving the small blood vessels of the retina
- The deep purple anthocyanin pigments are among the most potent antioxidants in the plant kingdom
- Traditional use for diarrhea and mouth or throat inflammation as a tea or gargle
- May modestly support healthy blood sugar
Mild blood-thinning effect — caution with blood thinners
May lower blood sugar — caution with diabetes medication
Stop two weeks before surgery
The famous WWII RAF pilot night-vision story has been thoroughly investigated and appears to be wartime propaganda — bilberry doesn't dramatically improve night vision in healthy people
Generally well tolerated; the fruit is food and the jam is dessert
Bilberry leaf is more potent and carries more interaction risks than the berry
Related literature · not reviewed for these claims
These papers were imported by topic. They may concern plants, laboratory work, or different preparations. Inclusion here does not establish a human health benefit or support the claims above. How to read our sources →
- Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract alleviates gestational diabetes mellitus by coordinating TGR5/FXR signaling via a gut microbiota-bile acid axis.
- Towards the maintenance of montane meadows - a lesson from the long-term experiment on permanent plots.
- Inhibitory effect of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. and Vaccinium myrtillus L. extracts on melanogenesis in α-MSH-induced B16F10 melanoma cells: in vitro, molecular docking ADMET and drug-likeness studies.
- Standardized Berry Extract Improves Selected Visual Function Outcomes in Presbyopia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial with Exploratory Biomarker Analysis.
- Influence of elevation and shrub age on element accumulation in Vaccinium myrtillus in the alpine zone of the Low Tatras.
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