Bilberry (airelle, black whortles, burren myrtle, dyeberry, huckleberry, hurtleberry, myrtilli fructus, trackleberry, vaccinium myrtillus, whortleberry, wineberry): Dosing and Uses

Suggested dosing of airelle, black whortles (bilberry)

Dried Ripe Berries

20-60 g/d PO

Extract

160 mg PO BID; contains 25% anthocyanosides

Tea

1 cup PO; 1 g dried leaf/150 ml water

Topical

Apply 10% decoction topically PRN; dried berries boiled in water for decoction

Suggested uses of airelle, black whortles (bilberry)

Angina, atherosclerosis, circulatory problems, degenerative retinal conditions, diarrhea, mouth/throat inflammation (topical), retinopathy, varicose veins

Efficacy

Clinical studies show bilberry effective for diarrhea & retinopathy

airelle, black whortles (bilberry) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Cachexia

Anemia

Icterus

Excitation at high doses (animal studies)

Warnings

Contraindications

None reported

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Pharmacology of airelle, black whortles (bilberry)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of action

Anthocyanosides are powerful antioxidants, with particular affinity for retina