Herbalists have been aware of the bilberry health benefits for a long time. The bilberry is a blue skinned fruit that is similar to the blueberry. This berry has high levels of vitamins and minerals, and it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can aid a number of conditions.
Bilberry health benefits include:
•Varicose veins can be eased by using bilberry herb by reducing swelling and improving circulation. The benefits of bilberry include promoting a healthy blood flow and preventing blood clots, which a number of clinical studies support.
•Bilberry has long been a folk remedy for strengthening the eyes, which is supported by a number of scientific studies. Bilberry herb can support the blood vessels in the eyes and keep the eye muscles strong and functioning well. This can help to prevent cataracts and fading vision. World War II pilots used to eat bilberry jam to improve their night vision.
•Bilberry can relieve pain and itching and help to heal ulcers.
•Reynaud’s disease symptoms can be eased by the use of bilberry supplements, which improves circulation. Reynaud’s disease causes the extremities to feel extremely cold, and improved circulation can help to combat this.
•Diabetes can be helped by bilberry, which can lower blood sugar levels.
•Menstruation cramps can be eased with bilberry herb, as it can improve blood flow.
•Digestive problems such as diarrhea can be eased by the astringent properties of the bilberry fruit.
•Removes toxins from the system, protecting cells and strengthening the body against disease, and the antioxidants in bilberry are thought to work specifically on the blood cells.
•Bilberry herb’s antioxidant properties can help to keep blood pressure down.
•It can be used to treat mouth ulcers and gum inflammation. Drinking bilberry tea is also thought to help heal hemorrhoids.
Bilberry supplements come in a number of forms. The herb can be taken fresh, in capsule form, as a tea, or bilberry extract form.
Bilberry extract is a concentrate of the fruit, which is high in flavonoids and has all the properties of the fruit.
Bilberry tea is an infusion of the leaves or fruit in hot water. An herbal tea is an easy method of administering an herbal supplement. A cooled bilberry tea can be used as a mouthwash to take advantage of the herb’s antibacterial properties. The tea can be drunk both hot and cold.
Bilberry Side Effects
Although the bilberry health benefits are numerous, there are some side effects to watch out for.
Bilberry supplements can cause stomach upsets and headaches in some people. Diarrhea can also be a reaction to the herb, and it may in some people cause the blood to thin too much. Some prescription medications may have their effectiveness reduced by using bilberry, but severe reactions are unlikely.
Pregnant women should obtain medical advice before starting any course of treatment with a bilberry supplement. Anybody who appears to be having a reaction to the herb should stop using it and seek medical advice.
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HERBAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF REMEDIES