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Bilberry BIL-beh-ree

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Myrtilli fructus, Vaccinium myrtillus, airelle, bilberry fruits, bilberry leaf, black whortles, bleaberry, burren myrtle, dwarf bilberry, dyeberry, huckleberry, trackleberry, wineberry, whortleberry, hurtleberry

What is bilberry?

Bilberry is a small shrub with sharp-edged, green branches and black, wrinkled berries. The berries contain many small seeds and have a sharp, sweet taste. The ripe berries and leaves are used to make medicines.

What is it used for?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed below.

Bilberry has been used for:

  • angina
  • arthritis
  • cataracts
  • chronic fatigue syndrome
  • controlling blood sugar in diabetes
  • dermatitis (rash)
  • gout
  • hemorrhoids
  • improving vision and the ability of the eyes to adjust to changing light
  • swelling in the mouth and throat
  • lowering triglyceride levels
  • stomach and intestinal problems such as diarrhea
  • urinary tract and kidney problems
  • varicose veins
  • treating retina problems

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Bilberry comes in the form of a liquid extract, capsules, and jam. Dried bilberry fruit is made into a tea to treat diarrhea and to relieve inflammation of the mouth and throat.

Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Talk with your healthcare provider before taking this remedy if you have:

  • bleeding problems or blood clotting disorders
  • diabetes

Do not take large amounts of bilberry leaves for a long time. This can cause serious side effects or death.

Diabetics: Bilberry leaf may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this remedy.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

  • Natural remedies are not always safe.
  • You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
  • They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
  • Natural remedies are not standardized and may be contaminated. They may have different strengths and effects.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Taking large amounts of bilberry leaves for a long time may cause severe weight loss, bleeding, muscle spasms, and even death.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

  • aspirin and other salicylates
  • natural remedies such as anise, arnica, chamomile, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, guar gum, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, papain, passionflower, psyllium, red clover, turmeric, and willow
  • medicines for diabetes such as insulin, acarbose (Precose), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab), metformin (Glucophage), miglitol (Glyset), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), repaglinide (Prandin), tolazamide, and tolbutamide
  • medicines to treat or prevent blood clots such as clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, and warfarin (Coumadin)
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.


Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.


Developed by RelayHealth.
Medication Advisor 2012.1 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2010-07-16
Last reviewed: 2010-05-20
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
© 2012 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
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