Bilberries are the European variety of the North American blueberry. They contain anthocyanidins, bluish-pink pigments which are reported to benefit visual acuity as well as prevent the occurrance of glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, etc. Ginkgo biloba
is a vasodilator that improves cerebral blood flow, and has anti-oxidant properties, preventing formation of free radicals. Its active constituents are flavonoids and ginkgolides. Clinical research has shown Ginkgo biloba to prevent atherosclerosis & to allay Alzheimer’s disease. Its ability to promote vasodilation and improved blood flow both in the arteries and capillaries is thought to be beneficial to people’s eyesight.
Used For: Strengthening vision, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, adult-onset diabetes. The leaves can be used in the same way as those of UvaUrsi. The fruits are astringent, and are especially valuable in diarrhoea and dysentery, in the form of syrup. The ancients used them largely, and Dioscorides spoke highly of them. They are also used for discharges, and as antigalactagogues. A decoction of the leaves or bark of the root may be used as a local application to ulcers, and in ulceration of the mouth and throat.
Bilberry is the herb that is synonymous with healthy eyes; it grows in Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States. The English call them whortleberries, the Scots refer to them as blueberries. Bilberry is a perennial, ornamental shrub found in damp woodlands and moorlands.
The use of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) as an herbal remedy stems back almost one thousand years to Europe, where it was mainly used to relieve diarrhea. Bilberry is a 16-inch tall shrub with pointed, oval leaves and small white and pink flowers which bloom between April and June. Its dark purple berries ripen in late summer. Bilberry is a relative of the cranberry, blueberry, and huckleberry. Its fruit looks and tastes similar to the American blueberry. Bilberry fruit contains high concentrations of tannins, substances that act as both an astringent and an anti-inflammatory. This fruit also contains flavonoid compounds called anthocyanidins. Flavonoids are plant pigments that possess outstanding antioxidant properties, foraging out dangerous particles in the body known as free radicals. Bilberry has been connected with the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration.
Anthocyanidin (a flavonoid) is the primary compound in Bilberry fruit, building strong capillaries and improving circulation throughout the entire body. Anthocyanidins may prevent blood platelets from clumping together, which minimizes the risk of blood clots (associated with heart attack and stroke). Bilberry fruit contains tannins, a substance that acts as an astringent, stopping bleeding. The tannins and anthocyanidins may equalize each other when the whole Bilberry fruit is used for medicinal purposes. Anthocyanidins increase rhodopsin production, a pigment that assists the eye’s ability to adapt to light changes and enhances night vision. The tannins possess anti-inflammatory properties and as mentioned previously may relieve diarrhea.
The Bilberry herb has been also been associated with the care and treatment of number of ailments including atherosclerosis, cataracts, diabetes, diarrhea, macular degeneration, night blindness, and retinopathy, and is considered a strong antioxidant by many experts. Though the medicinal benefits of Bilberry are not certain, thousands of people continue to seek Bilberry for its health- related properties.
Supplement Forms of Bilberry
Bilberries may be eaten fresh or dried. Tea may also be made from fresh or dried berries, or from the leaves. Bilberry extract comes in capsules and should be standardized to 25% anthocyanidins. The extract contains the highest percentage of anthocyanidins, making it the most effective form of bilberry.
Common Doses of Bilberry Extract
A typical dose of Bilberry is 40-80 mg three times per day of an extract standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides.
Why People Use Bilberry
Bilberry is primarily used for eye conditions and to strengthen blood vessels. During World War II, British Royal Air Force pilots found that eating Bilberry jam just before a mission improved their night vision. Researchers subsequently investigated bilberry’s properties and recommended it for eye disorders.
In addition to improving night vision, Bilberry is also used to prevent and treat macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts.
Bilberry contains anthocyanosides, which strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and stabilize all tissues containing collagen, such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Grape seed contains similar substances, however bilberry’s anthocyanosides have numerous benefits on the eye.
Due to it’s ability to strengthen blood vessels, bilberry may be useful for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and to prevent easy bruising.
Is Bilberry Safe?
Bilberry fruit is a food and is considered safe. There are no known drug interactions. Bilberry doesn’t appear to interfere with blood clotting.
Wolfberry is a wild bush found in the northwest of China. Because of its nutrient value and pleasant taste, Chinese people have been growing this magic fruit for hundreds of years. When ready for harvest, the fruit turns red, is nearly oblong in shape and juicy. Fullness, redness and sweet taste demonstrates the best quality of the fruit.
Wolfberry’s value to human health has been known by Chinese healers since the Tang Dynasty (1000-1400 AD) for its multiple health benefits. Wolfberry fruits are used in many herbal formulas to maintain overall health when suffering from chronic conditions, such as weariness of the loins and legs, dizziness and ringing in the ear, visual degeneration, headaches, insomnia, chronic liver diseases, diabetes, tuberculosis, and hypertension. Modern scientists have verified the ancient medical secrets of the wolfberry. The main active component of the fruit is the Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP). Wolfberry contains 19 types of amino acids and 21 trace minerals. It has more beta-carotene than carrots and nearly as much Vitamin C as oranges and protein as bee pollen.
Other studies from China show the acetone extract from wolfberry fruit inhibits the gene mutation induced by TA98 and TA1008. Some scientists believe that wolfberry fruit may be a very good supplement to prevent liver cancer because it exerts liver protection and anticancer effects at the same time. Japanese researchers reported wolfberry fruits could inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Wolfberry
Red Raspberry
Red Raspberry is an excellent source of Antioxidants, Ellagic Acid, and PhytochemicalsThe Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) measure the antioxidant activity of foods. Antioxidants inhibit oxidation which is known to have a damaging effect on tissues. Red Raspberries have an ORAC rating of 171 (based on dry weight). Ellagic Acid is a phenolic compound that has become known for its potent anti-carcinogenic / anti-mutagenic properties... It also has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. The red raspberry is the best known source of ellagic acid. Phytochemicals found in Red Raspberries, such as Anthocyanins, Salicylic Acid, Quercetin, and Catechins, are known to improve vision, control diabetes, prevent against heart disease, reduce the release of histamines, and contribute to cancer prevention.
Researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNRCA) have found that blueberries rank #1 in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. In another USDA HNRCA lab, neuroscientists discovered that feeding blueberries to laboratory rats slowed age-related loss in their mental capacity, a finding that has important implications for humans. Blueberries may reduce the build up of so called "bad" cholesterol that contributes to cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to scientists at the University of California at Davis. Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey have identified a compound in blueberries that promotes urinary tract health and reduces the risk of infection
Blueberry
Camu-Camu
Camu-Camu is a low-growing shrub found throughout the Amazon rainforest, mainly in swampy or flooded areas. It produces round, light-orange colored fruits about the size of lemons that have the highest recorded source of natural vitamin C known on the planet. Analysis of this purple plum-like fruit shows it contains 30 to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange. Camu-Camu also contains thiamin, riboflavin and niacin and is also rich in bioflavonoids. The Camu-Camu holds real economic promise for local economies in the Amazon. A forest stand of camu-camu is worth twice the amount to be gained from cutting down the rainforest and replacing it with cattle
Pomegranate
In humans, pomegranate juice consumption decreased LDL susceptibility to aggregation and retention and increased the activity of serum paraoxonase (an HDL-associated esterase that can protect against lipid peroxidation) by 20%. Antioxidant activity in the blood of healthy male volunteers who drank pomegranate juice for 2 weeks increased by 9%, and the amount of LDL ("bad") cholesterol oxidation decreased by 90%. Pomegranate juice may help prevent the build-up of plaque in the arteries of the heart and brain, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Patients with high blood pressure who consume just 2 ounces of pomegranate juice every day for 2 weeks are able to lower their systolic blood pressure by 5%. Pomegranate juice significantly (36%) reduced ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) activity, which helps lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease and reduce the risk of stroke
Black Currant
Black Currants, native to Europe’s cool, temperate climate, are prized for their culinary versatility. Black Currants contain 450% of the Recommended Daily Allowance for Vitamin C. Black currants also contain bioflavanoids reported to reduce blood pressure. Black currant juice has also been used as an ingredient in products designed to enhance mental performance, combat degenerative neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s and depression. Black currant also is a very good source for phosphorous, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin) and high in isoflavonols this fruit is reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and natural laxative properties. Additionally, they are believed to protect against colds, and have an over-all cleansing effect on the body (especially the kidneys).
Goldenseal Root
Nettle Leaves
Bayberry
Eyebright is an herb that tightens the mucus membrane of the eye and relieves the inflammation of conjunctivitis. It has astringent properties. Eyebright contains tannins, aucubin, an iridoid glycoside, and volatile oil.
Root Bark is a tonic for eyesight with astringent properties due to its tannin content. A flavonoid glycoside, myricinic acid is also present in addition to three triterpenoids- taraxerol, taraxerone & myricadiol, which has been shown to have mineralocorticoid activity ( it influences potassium and sodium metabolism in a similar way as the adrenal cortex). It has also been shown to stimulate the flow of bile.and is toxic to bacteria & paramecia.
contains the alkaloids hydrastine and berberine, which impart its golden color and possess both astringent, antiseptic and anti-microbial propeties. Goldenseal has a particularly strong bitter flavor and is known to stimulate the flow of bile as well as to tone the mucus membrane.
Stinging Nettle has been shown to be rich in chlorophyll as well as precursors to vitamin A which helps to improve night vision. Nettles are also rich in minerals including calcium, boron, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and Vitamin C.