The health benefits of bilberry tea are largely focused on the famed antioxidant properties of its anthocyanin content.
Bilberry Tea can either be made through infusing the dried bilberry fruits or leaves in hot water, or through a decoction of these same parts in boiling water.
The Herb
The botanical name of Bilberry is vaccinium myrtillus and is related to the heath family. Most of the more than 450 species of plants in the genus vaccinium are found in cool temperate latitudes, and along mountain ranges in the northern and southern hemispheres. Blueberry, buckberry, huckleberry and cranberry are some of the plants that belong to this genus.
The bilberry is a small fruit, typically measuring from 5 to 9 millimenters. It is bluish black in color and has a lot of seeds. Bilberry usually grows in heaths, meadows, and moist coniferous forests, and its growth is favored by moderate shade and moderately humid ground conditions.
Components of Bilberry
Bilberries contain levels of anthocyanin pigments that have been linked experimentally to lowered risk for several diseases, such as those of the heart and cardiovascular system, eyes and cancer.
Bilberry contains a variety of phenolic compounds. These include the following:
flavonols (quercetin, catechins)
tannins
ellagitannins
phenolic acids
However, anthocyanins make by far the largest contribution to its phytochemical mix.
As with the use of any other herb, consultation with medical practitioners is recommended before using any part of bilberry to treat ailments and other disorders.
What is Bilberry Tea good for
Bilberry is often associated with improvement in vision. Bilberry Tea made from the dried fruits, is thought to help inhibit or reverse such eye disorders as macular degeneration, as seen in some laboratory studies.
On the other hand, the bilberry leaves are also made into Bilberry Tea infusions and used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal ailments. The leaves are also applied topically.
Bilberry Tea as an herbal decoction prepared from the dried fruits is said to be effective in treating diarrhea in children. It may also be used as a mouthwash in treating various oral disorders and throat problems.
Here are some of the health benefits that can be derived from Bilberry Tea:
Bilberry Tea may help inhibit eye and vision disorders by strengthening the walls of blood vessels in the eye and benefit the retina.
Bilberry Tea may help reduce inflammation, and help stabilize ligaments and tendons.
Bilberry Tea may help support cardiovascular health.
Bilberry Tea may help treat gastrointestinal problems.
Bilberry Tea may help ease varicose vein appearance.
Bilberry Tea may help lower blood sugar in diabetics.
"Ah the bilberry, all that goodness.
Makes one feel all warm, and even sharpens the eye."
~ Anonymous
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