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Herbs & Supplements

Bilberry
Other Names: Airelle, Dyeberry, European Blueberry, Huckleberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, Whortleberry, Wineberry

References

Abebe W. Herbal medication: potential for adverse interactions with analgesic drugs. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 2002;27(6):391-401.

Anon: Bilberry fruit. In: DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA, eds. Facts and Comparisons: The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO, Facts and Comparisons. October 1995.

Bell DR, Gochenaur K. Direct vasoactive and vasoprotective properties of anthocyanin-rich extracts. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2006 Apr;100(4):1164-1170.

Bomser J, Madhavi DL, Singletary K, Smith MA. In vitro anticancer activity of fruit extracts from Vaccinium species. Planta Medica. 1996;62(3):212-216.

Canter PH, Ernst E. Anthocyanosides of Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry) for Night Vision-A Systematic Review of Placebo-Controlled Trials. Survey of Ophthalmology. 2004;49(1):38-50.

Choi EH, Ok HE, Yoon Y, Magnuson BA, Kim MK, Chun HS. Protective effect of anthocyanin-rich extract from bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) against myelotoxicity induced by 5-fluorouracil. Biofactors. 2007;29(1):55-65.

Cignarella A, Nastasi M, Cavalli E, Puglisi L. Novel lipid-lowering properties of Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves, a traditional antidiabetic treatment, in several models of rat dyslipidaemia [sic]: a comparison with ciprofibrate. Thrombosis Research. 1996;84(5):311-322.

Fuchikami H, Satoh H, Tsujimoto M, Ohdo S, Ohtani H, Sawada Y. Effects of herbal extracts on the function of human organic anion-transporting polypeptide OATP-B. Drug Metabolism and Disposition. 2006;34(4):577-582.

Grieve M. Bilberry. In: A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publishers, 1971. Available at: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html Posted 1995. Accessed November 3, 2003.

He G, Khanna S, Ojha N, et al. Safety and whole-body antioxidant potential of a novel anthocyanin-rich formulation of edible berries. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 2006;281(1-2):197-209.

Head KA. Natural therapies for ocular disorders, part two: cataracts and glaucoma. Alternative Medicine Review. 2001;6(2):141-166.

Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000.

Katsube N, Iwashita K, Tsushida T, Yamaki K, Kobori M. Induction of apoptosis in cancer cells by Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and the anthocyanins. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2003;51(1):68-75.

Kemper KJ. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). The Longwood Herbal Task Force. Revised September 9, 1999. Available at: http://www.mcp.edu/herbal/bilberry/bilberry.pdf Accessed: November 3, 2003.

Levy Y, Glovinsky Y. The effect of anthocyanosides on night vision. Eye. 1998;12:967-969.

Lietti A, Cristoni A, Picci M. Studies on Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides. I. Vasoprotective and antiinflammatory activity. Arzneimittelforschung. 1976;26:829-832.

Lietti A, Forni G. Studies on Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides. II. Aspects of anthocyanins pharmacokinetics in the rat. Arzneimittelforschung. 1976;26:832-835.

Maatta-Riihinen KR, Kahkonen MP, Torronen AR, Heinonen IM. Catechins and procyanidins in berries of vaccinium species and their antioxidant activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2005;53(22):8485-8491.

Muth ER, Laurent JM, Jasper P. The effect of bilberry nutritional supplementation on night visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Alternative Medicine Review. 2000;5(2):164-173.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Online Edition. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2006. Available at: http://www.pharmacistsletter.com/(S(ulqz3s45omt3ag55um4kj345))/home.aspx?li=1&st=1&cs=&s=ND.

Puupponen-Pimia R, Nohynek L, Alakomi HL, Oksman-Caldentey KM. Bioactive berry compounds-novel tools against human pathogens. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2005;67(1):8-18.

Puupponen-Pimia R, Nohynek L, Alakomi HL, Oksman-Caldentey KM. The action of berry phenolics against human intestinal pathogens. Biofactors;23(4):243-251.

Ramirez MR, Izquierdo I, do Carmo Bassols Raseira M, Zuanazzi JA, Barros D, Henriques AT. Effect of lyophilised Vaccinium berries on memory, anxiety and locomotion in adult rats. Pharmacology Research. 2005;52(6):457-462.

Roy S, Khanna S, Alessio HM, et al. Anti-angiogenic property of edible berries. Free Radical Research. 2002;36(9):1023-1031.

Scharrer A, Ober M. Anthocyanosides in the treatment of retinopathies. [Article in German] Kiln Monastbl Augenheilkd. 1981;178(5):386-389.

Sparrow JR, Vollmer-Snarr HR, Zhou J, et al. A2E-epoxides damage DNA in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Vitamin E and other antioxidants inhibit A2E-epoxide formation. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2003;278(20):18207-18213.

Talavera S, Felgines C, Texier O, Besson C, Lamaison JL, Remesy C. Anthocyanins are efficiently absorbed from the stomach in anesthetized rats. Journal of Nutrition. 2003;133(12):4178-4182.

Wu QK, Koponen JM, Mykkanen HM, Torronen AR. Berry phenolic extracts modulate the expression of p21(WAF1) and Bax but not Bcl-2 in HT-29 colon cancer cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2007;55(4):1156-1163.

Last Revised July 31, 2007

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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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References