Vaccinium myrtillus L. · herb
Evidence tier: insufficient
A traditional eye and vascular tonic. Particularly helpful for screen related eye strain and capillary fragility.
Bilberry is rich in anthocyanins, deeply coloured plant pigments that behave as antioxidants and are proposed to support the integrity of small blood vessels. The specific story usually told, that anthocyanins speed the regeneration of rhodopsin in the retinal rod cells and therefore sharpen dark adaptation, is a laboratory hypothesis that the human trials failed to confirm. It should be presented as a mechanism someone proposed, not a mechanism that operates.
Insufficient, and the flagship claim is a myth. Start with the authority: NCCIH, the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, states plainly that bilberry 'has not been clearly shown to be helpful for any health condition.' On night vision specifically, the famous story is exactly that, a story: NCCIH records that 'it has been reported that during World War II, British pilots ate bilberry jam, thinking it would improve their night vision,' and then reports what the science found: 'studies of the effects of bilberry on night vision have had conflicting results. Much of the research was of poor quality,' and 'the most rigorous studies have not found bilberry to be effective in improving night vision in healthy people.' The definitive systematic review agrees. Canter and Ernst, Survey of Ophthalmology 2004 (PMID 14711439), identified 30 trials relevant to vision in reduced light, of which 12 were placebo controlled, and found that the four most recent and most rigorous randomised controlled trials were ALL negative. Their conclusion: the hypothesis that Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides improve normal night vision is not supported by evidence from rigorous clinical studies. The wartime pilot tale is best understood as WWII era folklore, and quite possibly deliberate misdirection, not evidence. Europe's regulator does register bilberry, but not for the eyes: the EMA HMPC holds two TRADITIONAL USE monographs, one for dried bilberry fruit for mild diarrhoea and minor inflammation of the lining of the mouth, and one for fresh bilberry fruit for relief of discomfort and heaviness of the legs related to minor circulatory problems and for minor bleeding into the skin from tiny blood vessels. Both rest on long standing use, not on trial evidence. There is no EMA eye indication of any kind. Retinopathy and macular claims do not survive contact with a primary source.
NCCIH reports that bilberry FRUIT extracts have been used safely in research studies at doses of up to 160 mg per day for up to 6 months. Note that this is a safety observation, not an effective dose, because no effective dose has been established. NCCIH separately warns that bilberry LEAVES may be unsafe when consumed in high doses or for long periods.
160 to 320 mg standardised extract (25% anthocyanins) daily.
Mild antiplatelet effect, caution with anticoagulants. Otherwise very safe.
Pregnancy: avoid
Breastfeeding: avoid
Active compounds: anthocyanins, anthocyanosides, tannins, flavonoids
Remedies using Bilberry · Browse by body system · Check it against what you take
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.