Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus) - Botanical Medicines

Bilberry Extract ( Vaccinium myrtillus )

Bilberry extract is believed to help prevent or treat fragile capillaries, which can cause fluid or blood to leak into the tissues, leading to hemorrhage, stroke, heart attacks, or blindness. Less serious effects include a tendency to bruise easily, varicose veins, poor night vision, coldness, numbing, and leg cramping. Bilberry extract appears to protect capillaries and other small blood vessels by increasing the flexibility of red blood cell membranes. This action allows capillaries to stretch, increasing blood flow, and red blood cells can be formed into a shape that easily moves through narrow capillaries.

European clinical trials reported by Dr. S. Corsiand L. Gatta have shown the effectiveness of bilberry extract for venous insufficiency of the lower limbs in 18- to 75-year-old subjects. It has been used to treat varicose veins in the legs, where it significantly improves symptoms of varicose syndrome such as cramps, heaviness, calf and ankle swelling, and numbness.