Bilberry Herb
The Benefits of Bilberry Herb Supplements
The bilberry herb is an impressive little plant. Some may better know it as the huckleberry or European blueberry. The bilberry certainly has a lot going for itself in the medicinal department, as many people have begun to turn to this herb for relief of various physical issues. We are going to talk about the characteristics of the bilberry herb as well as the both the positive and negative effects of adding a bilberry herb supplement to your diet.
The bilberry herb is native to most areas of Europe, Asia, as well as the Rocky Mountain area of the North American continent. The bilberry is very closely related to the blueberry and cranberry, and just like them they are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are coveted as the regulators of “free radical” cells that cause signs of aging as well as many types of illness. The bilberry herb has been used since the early 1500’s to help treat a variety of symptoms; however scientists are now finding that this little herb could help treat many more issues!
Since days of old the bilberry has been used to treat digestive issues such as diarrhea and upset stomach. What better way to get rid of the trots than to mix up a hardy batch of bilberries and honey? That’s what people used to do in 16th century England, and people are still using them for this purpose today! Germany has a council of people who are responsible for evaluating herbs for medicinal use, and even they slap their A+ stamp on bilberries for the treatment of diarrhea.
But diarrhea and a sour stomach are just a few of the illnesses that bilberries are supposed to be able to treat. Many use it to ease menstrual cramps, diabetes, cataracts, varicose veins, and even to improve eyesight. Scientists are even researching the possibility of the bilberry treating Raynaud’s disease by its ability to help relax small blood vessels and strengthen capillaries. It can also be used as an antiseptic.
While the bilberry fruit can be eaten if it has been properly cleaned, the most common form of ingestion is through a pill or tablet. The key to getting any benefit from a tablet is to ensure that the label states whether it is a standardized extract of pure bilberry. Sometimes supplement providers can take a shortcut and create synthetic versions which won’t provide you with nearly as good results as the pure extract will. The typical dosage is one 80 to 160 milligram capsule three times each day with plenty of water.
Of course with every treatment there is usually some kind of side effect, and the same holds true for the bilberry herb. Some have reported a gastrointestinal upset, headaches, and even dizziness; however you should know that reports of these symptoms are usually quite rare. There is also a chance that other medications could react with a bilberry supplement. Drugs that are designed to lower blood pressure or blood sugar, or that have blood thinning properties could result in adverse effects if taken in conjunction with bilberry supplements.
Don’t be afraid if you don’t see results straight away after taking bilberry herb supplements. As with any typical vitamin supplement it can take four to six weeks before any noticeable results start to crop up. Be patient and pay attention to your body! If you find that you experience any negative symptoms while taking these supplements, it is a good idea that you phone your doctor up to ask whether you are taking too much or if the bilberry supplement simply isn’t right for your body.