Vaccinium myrtillus, European blueberry

Bilberry is a shrub which grows in woods and forests throughout Europe. It has been used for many years as a general tonic for the eyes. It is said that during WWII RAF pilots were encouraged to eat bilberries to improve night vision.

The main constituents of Bilberries are known as anthocyanosides — a group of flavonoids. These have the ability to bind to the part of the retina which is responsible for vision, which in turn increases the rate of regeneration of the visual pigments in the retina. In addition, the substances present in Bilberry have the ability to prevent the destruction of collagen, which is responsible for stabilising the delicate tissue structure of the eyes. One particular anthocyanidin, myrtillin, has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels

For oral use only. Do not place in the eyes.