How to Take Bilberry for Health
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is also known as whortleberry, blueberry, whinberry and huckleberry. It is not generally cultivated but grows wild, bearing fruit in the late summer. It is related to the blueberry and used to make jams, syrups and tarts. If taken medicinally, extract from the fruit should contain 25 percent anthocyanidin. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.
1
Read about the historical uses of bilberry. Bilberry has been used medicinally at least since Elizabethan times for diarrhea and other stomach problems by mixing it with honey. The berries were also used to treat kidney stones, infections and scurvy, and the leaves were sometimes given to treat diabetes.
2
Look at the results of modern tests involving bilberry. Few scientific studies have been done on humans. The available data comes mostly from correlations with similar antioxidants and the limited animal studies that have been done.
3
Consider the uses of bilberry. Today, it is most often used in Europe to treat diarrhea and poor vein circulation.
4
Study the side effects of bilberry. Like many fruits, bilberry is generally safe to use, although the tannins in the berries could be toxic if taken in large quantity over a long period of time.
5
Take no more than the recommended dosage. The dosage for the extract is 80 to 120 mg twice per day and the dosage for the fruit is 5 to 10 g of crushed, dried bilberries in 150 ml of water as a tea.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068068_take-bilberry-health.html
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is also known as whortleberry, blueberry, whinberry and huckleberry. It is not generally cultivated but grows wild, bearing fruit in the late summer. It is related to the blueberry and used to make jams, syrups and tarts. If taken medicinally, extract from the fruit should contain 25 percent anthocyanidin. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.
1
Read about the historical uses of bilberry. Bilberry has been used medicinally at least since Elizabethan times for diarrhea and other stomach problems by mixing it with honey. The berries were also used to treat kidney stones, infections and scurvy, and the leaves were sometimes given to treat diabetes.
2
Look at the results of modern tests involving bilberry. Few scientific studies have been done on humans. The available data comes mostly from correlations with similar antioxidants and the limited animal studies that have been done.
3
Consider the uses of bilberry. Today, it is most often used in Europe to treat diarrhea and poor vein circulation.
4
Study the side effects of bilberry. Like many fruits, bilberry is generally safe to use, although the tannins in the berries could be toxic if taken in large quantity over a long period of time.
5
Take no more than the recommended dosage. The dosage for the extract is 80 to 120 mg twice per day and the dosage for the fruit is 5 to 10 g of crushed, dried bilberries in 150 ml of water as a tea.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068068_take-bilberry-health.html
