Bilberry Leaf Powder

What is bilberry leaf powder?

The bilberry, also known as "whortleberry" or "European blueberry," is a type of shrub that bears edible blue fruits. Its scientific name is Vaccinium myrtillus. It is a lot like the American blueberry (Vaccinium cyanococcus) in many ways. To distinguish it from other plants in the Vaccinium family, people refer to it as common bilberry or blue whortleberry. Local names for the blaeberry include hurtleberry, huckleberry, and blaeberry. 

A plant called Vaccinium myrtillus makes berries that are similar to the American blueberry. As medicine, the dried fruit and leaves are used. Bilberries contain chemicals known as tannins. They might make the swelling go down. Chemicals in bilberry leaves might also help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar and fat levels and improve their circulation.

How do I use bilberry leaf powder?

There are several flexible applications for this powder. You can use it as coloring and seasoning in baking, sprinkle it over cereal or oatmeal, or add it to smoothies or desserts. You can enjoy this remarkable powder in any manner that suits you.

Bilberry leaf powder benefits:

People use the dried fruit and leaves as medicine. Bilberries contain chemicals known as tannins. They might make the swelling go down. Chemicals in bilberry leaves might also help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar and fat levels and improve their circulation.

◉ May improve vision: Most people eat bilberries because they are thought to improve eyesight, especially night vision.  A few small studies have looked into how these berries affect night vision, but they have all come to the same conclusion: there is not enough evidence to support this benefit.

Still, there may be other ways in which bilberries help your eyesight. Other studies show that taking 160–480 mg of powdered bilberry extract every day may reduce eye dryness and other signs of eye tiredness caused by working with video display screens.

◉ May reduce inflammation: Inflammation, which is thought to be the cause of many diseases, may be fought off by bilberries. The anthocyanins in them may be a contributing factor in this action. Anthocyanins are anti-oxidants that can also reduce inflammation. Studies show that bilberry lowers the levels of inflammatory markers in most clinical studies of metabolic disorders. This suggests that bilberry could be used to avoid and treat chronic inflammatory disorders. One study with 24 people showed that the signs and symptoms of serious dry eyes got better after they took bilberry extract and fish oil as food supplements for 3 months.

◉ May lower blood sugar levels: HbA1c, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol all seem to go down when bilberry powder is taken.  Anthocyanins in bilberries are mostly linked to reducing reactive stress and changing the bacteria in the gut. Anthocyanins are strong antioxidants that help keep metabolic diseases and type 2 diabetes from happening. In an 8-week study, people with metabolic syndrome, a group of diseases that makes you more likely to get type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease, secreted more insulin when they ate more fresh bilberries.

◉ May improve heart health: The health of your heart might improve if you eat bilberries. Research done in test tubes shows that the mix of anthocyanins in bilberries may help lower blood pressure.  In one 8-week study, 35 people who took a mix of berries every day, including bilberries, had better cell function, blood pressure, and HDL (good) cholesterol levels. These are all signs of a healthy heart. More and more studies have indicated that the anthocyanins in berries help protect the eyes, stop lipid breakdown, guard against cardiovascular disease, and control low blood sugar.

Where can I buy bilberry leaf powder?

Buy bilberry leaf powder from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

Bilberry Leaf Powder information (at a glance):