Bilberry for better night vision

Here is all the information I saved from a thread that ran on the 'ASTRO' listserv. It's unformatted.

I tried Bilberry recently. It's available from the General Nutrition Center (at least in Frederick it's available). A bottle is rather expensive, but when the cost is averaged over the number of doses you should get the price doesn't seem quite as steep. As to it's effectiveness? I don't remember seeing the Andromeda galaxy so clearly. I just may have pulled in the North American Nebula visually - I think I spotted the Gulf. Both M33 and the Veil Nebula were easy objects in binoculars (easier than without Bilberry ??). It's hard to tell - was it just an unusually clear night in the West Virginia mountains or was it Bilberry? I think I would resist the temptation to exceed the recommended dosage. Rick (r_bright@delphi.com)

Date:    Fri, 5 Aug 1994 13:30:02 MDT
From:    Steve Bygren 
Subject: EVER HEARD OF BILBERRY???

In case you're wondering, this is not a funky potion or controlled substance - World War II bomber pilots were given bilberry when flying night bombing missions over Europe. This stuff is real, and it's natural.

My question is this- is anyone aware of any "scientific" studies concerning bilberry, and are any of you using it to increase your observing capabilities? So far, my best evidence that it really works is that from our dark sky observing site in the Colorado mountains, I can EASILY see the North America nebula with the naked eye. I don't recall ever seeing it prior to trying bilberry. Please let me know of your experiences.... Steve Bygren

Date:    Fri, 5 Aug 1994 14:46:19 MDT
From:    Steve Bygren 
Subject: *** ITS NOT A JOKE ***

Date:    Fri, 5 Aug 1994 23:51:19 -0600
From:    Ken Florentino 
Subject: Re: Bilberry is NOT a joke!

Date:    Sat, 6 Aug 1994 10:05:23 -0400
From:    Philippe ROUSSELOT 
Subject: Re: Bilberry is NOT a joke!

Here are all the references that I found in Medline about the bilberry. I already heard about this story, but apparently there is no scientific paper published between 1966 and 1994 about vision.

sheers
Philippe ROUSSELOT

1 Anke, M., Grun, M., Briedermann, L., Missbach, K., Hennig, A. and Kronemann, H., The supply of wild ruminants with major and trace elements. 1. The cadmium content of winter grazing and the cadmium status of red deer, fallow deer, roes and moulons. [German], Archiv. fur. Tierernahrung., 29 (1979) 829-844.

KEYWORDS: animal; animal nutrition; deer; me [metabolism]; ph [physiology]; diet; english abstract; kidney; an [analysis]; liver; manganese; df [deficiency]; rumen; seasons; trees; 7439-96-5 (Manganese).

2 Anke, M., Kronemann, H., Dittrich, G. and Neumann, A., The supply of wild ruminants with major and trace elements. 2. The manganese content of winter grazing and the manganese status of red deer, fallow deer, roes and mouflons. [German], Archiv. fur. Tierernahrung., 29 (1979) 845-858.

KEYWORDS: carbohydrates; me [metabolism]; comparative study; food irradiation ; food preservation; mt [methods]; fruit; re [radiation effects]; pigments; vitamins; 0 (Pigments).0 (Vitamins).

3 Cantarelli, G. and Panelli, M., Isolation of bilberry anthocyanines and the ir pharmacologic activity. Preliminary study. [Italian], Bollettino. Chimico. Farmaceutico., 107 (1968) 792-796.

KEYWORDS: dyspepsia; dt [drug therapy]; english abstract; human; infant; plants,medicinal

4 Fokina, G.I., Frolova, T.V., Roikhel', V.M. and Pogodina, V.V., [Experiment alphytotherapy of tick-borne encephalitis]. [RUSSIAN], Voprosy. Virusologii., 36 (1991) 18-21.

5 Friedrich, H. and Schonert, J., Tannin-producing substances in the leaves and fruits of the bilberry. [German], Archiv. der. Pharmazie., 306 (1973) 611-618. KEYWORDS: animal; animal nutrition; cadmium; an [analysis]; cattle; me [metabolism]; comparative study; deer; ph [physiology]; diet; english abstract ; kidney; liver; rumen; seasons; sheep; trees; 7440-43-9 (Cadmium).; fruit

6 Mertz-Nielsen, A., Munck, L.K., Bukhave, K. and Rask-Madsen, J., A natural flavonoid, IdB 1027, increases gastric luminal release of prostaglandin E2 in healthy subjects, Italian. Journal. of. Gastroenterology, 22 (1990) 288-290. KEYWORDS: comparative study; environmental pollutants; an [analysis]; glycine ; aa [analogs & derivatives]; glycolates; herbicides; lichens; plants; 0 (Environmental Pollutants).0 (Glycolates).0 (Herbicides).; 1071-83-6 (glyphosate).55335-06-3 (triclopyr).56-40-6 (Glycine).

7 Monboisse, J.C., Braquet, P., Randoux, A. and Borel, J.P., Non-enzymatic degradation of acid-soluble calf skin collagen by superoxide ion: protective effect of flavonoids, Biochemical. Pharmacology., 32 (1983) 53-58.

KEYWORDS: anthocyanins; ip [isolation & purification]; pd [pharmacology]; chromatography,thin layer; plants; an [analysis]

8 Schonert, J. and Friedrich, H., Determination of tannin in leaves of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). [German], Pharmazie., 25 (1970) 775-776.

KEYWORDS: anthocyanins; ip [isolation & purification]; chromatography, thin layer; english abstract; flavones; plants; an [analysis]; tannins

9 Siltanen, H., Rosenberg, C., Raatikainen, M. and Raatikainen, T., Triclopyr , glyphosate and phenoxyherbicide residues in cowberries, bilberries and lichen, Bulletin. of. Environmental. Contamination. &. Toxicology., 27 (1981) 731-737. KEYWORDS: animal; bioflavonoids; pd [pharmacology]; cattle; collagen; me [metabolism]; hydrolysis; hydroxyproline; oxygen; skin; superoxides; support,non-u.s.gov't; time factors; 0 (Bioflavonoids).11062-77-4 (Superoxides).51-35-4; (Hydroxyproline).7782-44-7 (Oxygen).9007-34-5 (Collagen ).

10 Thomas, P., Radiation preservation of foods of plant origin. Part V. Temperate fruits: pome fruits, stone fruits, and berries. [Review], Critical. Reviews. in. Food. Science &. Nutrition., 24 (1986) 357-400.

KEYWORDS: animal; antiviral agents; tu [therapeutic use]; drug screening; encephalitis,tick-borne; dt [drug therapy]; english abstract; mice; mice,inbre d balb c; plant extracts; plants,medicinal; time factors; ussr; 0 (Antiviral Agents).0 (Plant Extracts).

11 Tolan, L., Barna, V., Szigeti, I., Tecsa, D., Gavris, C., Csernatony, O. and Buchwald, I., The use of bilberry powder in dyspepsia in infants. [Rumanian], Pediatria. -. Bucuresti., 18 (1969) 375-379.

KEYWORDS: anthocyanins; ip [isolation & purification]; catechols; chemistry,pharmaceutical; chromatography,thin layer; plants,medicinal; an [analysis]; tannins

Date:    Sat, 6 Aug 1994 09:16:01 MDT
From:    Ask me about Star Stare '95 
Subject: Re: Bilberry is NOT a joke!

After my last session with Bilberry, I'm sold on the stuff. I'll definetly be going to GNC (U.S. Nutrition type store) for some before my next star party.

        Mike

Date:    Sat, 6 Aug 1994 21:55:37 -0300
From:    Mike Boschat 
Subject: Re: Bilberry is NOT a joke!

bil'ber-ry;
   1.The Europeans whortleberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus ); also its
     edible bluish black fruit.
   2. Any similar plant or its fruit; esp. in America, Vaccinium
     myrtilloides, V. caespitosum, or V. uliginosum.

    A. a European species of blueberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus );
       also, its glaucous blackish berry, widely used as an
       article of diet and in making beverages.
    B. The huckleberry.

Hope the above helps...

                       Michael Boschat
          ------------------------------------------
           JOHN F. KENNEDY ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY

Date:    Sat, 6 Aug 1994 20:24:21 -0600
From:    Ken Florentino 
Subject: Re: Bilberry is NOT a joke!

Jaakko T Oksa wrote:
>
> My first posting, I hope it works...
>
> Does anyone know what species of "bilberry" is supposed
> to have these miraculous vision enhancing properties?
> One species, Vaccinium uliginosum, is growing wild all
> over the countryside here in southern Finland, I wonder
> if I should try it? It is an edible berry, but little used
> because it tastes kind of..well..tasteless. If you Americans
> can get a noticeable effect with just a few grams of dried
> bilberries, I guess I should be seeing 14th magnitude
> galaxies with naked eye if I eat a kilo or so :-)

Looking at my bottle, it is Vaccinium myrtillus. It is 100:1 extract standardized to 25% anthocyanosides (supposed to be the good stuff in it) in 60mg pills. I take 2 or 3. a couple of hours before observing allowing the time to get in the system.

Ken

Date:    Sat, 6 Aug 1994 19:43:23 -0800
From:    Leigh Palmer 
Subject: Re: Bilberry is NOT a joke!

Leigh

Date:    Sun, 7 Aug 1994 13:14:09 +0200
From:    Jaakko T Oksa 
Subject: Re: Bilberry is NOT a joke!

>
> Looking at my bottle, it is Vaccinium myrtillus. It is 100:1
> extract standardized to 25% anthocyanosides (supposed to
> be the good stuff in it) in 60mg pills. I take 2 or 3. a
> couple of hours before observing allowing the time to get in
> the system.
>
> Ken

That species is by far the most consumed wild berry in this country, an average person eats several kilograms of the stuff per year. It is supposed to be a close relative of the american blueberry. Are you sure it's the berries that are supposed to contain the effective substances, not some other part of the plant, e.g. the leaves? I'll have to try it myself, I have a freezer full of them.

Jaakko

Date:    Sun, 7 Aug 1994 10:38:34 CDT
From:    Dennis Ward 
Subject: Re: Bilberry is NOT a joke!

I also found a reference that said that the extract is NOT made from just the berries, but from the entire plant.

I mention this only because the leaves of the plant are poisonous! The same book _strongly_ recommended a dose of no more than one capsule in four hours, with a max of three per 24 hour period.

enjoy,    Dennis

Date:    Sun, 7 Aug 1994 23:14:46 -0600
From:    Jim Lawrence 
Subject: Re: EVER HEARD OF BILBERRY???

Jim Lawrence
Computer Coordinator
Eagleview Middle School
Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak
The Home of The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
And STAR STARE -- The annual starparty/campout in the Rocky Mountains
        Where is sometimes heard:"No, those are not clouds, that's the
        Milky Way"

lawrence@kadets.d20.co.edu
jiml@mtview.d20.co.edu

Date:    Mon, 8 Aug 1994 12:30:33 -0700
From:    Leigh Palmer 
Subject: Bilberry yet again

I visited my local drug store yesterday (health food stores aren't open Sundays here). The pharmacist there told me that, of course, they don't carry bilberry capsules, but she buys hers at health food stores. When I asked her what she used them for she said they improve her night vision, The inference I draw from that interaction is that someone who ought to know more than I do about toxicity feels no reservation about using bilberry, a comforting endorsement.

Of course the clouds returned yesterday as well.

Leigh

Date:    Thu, 11 Aug 1994 07:14:31 -0600
From:    Ken Florentino 
Subject: Re: Bilberry Info

Excerpted from "The Healthy Cell News" summer 1994

Bilberry offers eye-opening benifits

Bilberry has been a popular source of fresh jam for hundreds of years, and is native to northern Europe and Asia. The nearest American counterpart is the blueberry. However, the difference between the two berries is significant. Only Bilberry contains medicinal properties which, after years of research, are yielding remarkable health secrets.

Bilberry- a sight for sore eyes

During World war II, Royal Air Force pilots swore that eating bilberry jam prior to night missions significantly improved visual acuity in the darkness. Such reports stimulated considerable research interest in bilberry in Europe and South America. Over the course of several years, studies were published that indicated that bilberry fruit extract is an effective treatment in a variety of visual problems, including night blindness (nyctalopia), visual fatigue from prolonged reading and working in dim light, severe nearsightedness (myopia), and various vascular disturbances of the retina. ...

Finally, in 1964, the first publised experiment with bilberry was carried out by a team of French scientists. It was a simple attempt to demonstrate adaption to darkness and improvments in visual acuity under controlled conditions in normal adult humans. The results confirmed the previously held theories on bilberry supplementation. Adaption to darkness, following prolonged exposure to bright light, was significantly accelerated, and some improvements in visual acuity in dim light was observed in experimental subjects. The most obvious effects were observed during the first four hours fiolowing ingestion of a single dose of crude bilberry extract, and almost all effects had worn off after 24 hours.

All spelling errors are mine. There is much more to the article but I don't type well and this is getting long already! They don't actually mention specifics of who conducted the studies but since many of the studies occured in Europe, maybe those of you over there can find more info and share it with us. Note that they said it was the berry and not the whole plant that was used. This is from "The Healthy Cell News", kind of a newsletter-advertisement. You can contact them at 800-624-7114. I am in no way connected with these folks.

Ken

Date:    Fri, 12 Aug 1994 17:39:32 +0200
From:    Jaakko T Oksa 
Subject: Re: More info on Bilberries

If anyone has access to any of the studies referenced in the document, it would be interesting to know more about them.

Jaakko Oksa, joksa@snakemail.hut.fi

Legosan Ab / Developement

BILBERRY ANTHOCYANOSIDES

The chemical composition of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) has been studied by many authors who have found glucosides of cyanidine, malvidine, delphynidine, petunidine and peonidine. The interest in Bilberry anthocyanisides was first aroused in view of the fact that bilberry extracts administered to healthy subjects were apt to improve night-time visual aquity, and accomplish a quick adjustment to darkness and fast restoration of visual acuity after glaring. It was later found that these anthocyanosides exert a dual action on blood capillaries by increasing their resistance and reducing their permeability.

PHARMACOLOGY

Tests conducted by Alfieri and Sole (1964) on rabbits showed Bilberry anthocyanosides to speed up the regeneration of retinal purple and adaptation to darkness when administered intravenously.

Their activities on capillary permeability was studied by Demure (1964) on rabbits through the Blue Trypan Test according to the Ambrose and De Eds technique. After injecting the dyeing agent into the vein and rubbing the depilated skin with chloroform, a local irritation sets on facilitating the spreading of the dyeing agent outside the capillaries. The subsequent appearance of a blue stain on the skin can be considerably delayed in rabbits pre- treated with intravenously injected Bilberry anthocyanosides which have greater intensity and duration of action than other P-Vitamin factors. The activity of Bilberry anthocyanosides on capillary resistance was tested on guinea pigs, rats, and mice as reported by Bastide (1968), by measuring the vacuum rate required to cause the failure of surface vessels. The test was conducted before and after administration of anthocyanosides and confirmed their protective action on vasal walls. Pourrat et al. (1967) made acute toxicity tests on mice and rats by administrating anthocyanosides intraperitoneally, intravenously, and orally. LD 50 in the first two cases was 2.35 - 4.11 g/kg, and 0.24 - 0.848 g/kg, respectively. Anthocyanosides showed no toxicity in the third case. These results are particularly satisfactory in that oral administration is the preferred way in current therapeutical applications. Chronic toxicity tests have also confirmed the high degree of harmlessness of bilberry anthocyanosides. At the same time, the Authors tested the general effects, the P-Vitamin activity, and the action on retinal purple, and confirmed previous results.

CLINICAL STUDIES

The first clinical experiment in ophtalmology was conducted by Jayle and Aubert (1964) on 37 healthy subjects. The results, which were also studied statistically, showed a marked improvement in the retinal adaptation curve and some improvement in vision aquity in dimlight. The most conspicuous changes appeared four hours after the oral administration of the substances and disappeared in 24 hours. Overlapping results were obtained by Volpi and Bertoni (1964) who used existing information to study the effect of Bilberry anthocyanosides on the retinal sensitivity to light in healthy subjects. Florini et al. (1965) used Bilberry anthocyanosides to treat diseased cases - most of them affected by pigmentary retinis - as well as healthy subjects. Their findings showed an enlargement of the vision range in addition to a higher adaptation curve, this being a remarkable result in diseased patients. Through the favourable action of Bilberry anthocyanosides on vision appeared to be finally established, some Authors intended to provide a further contribution in this field. In particular, studies were conducted by Mercier (1965), Scialdone (1966), Alfieri and sole (1966), Magnasco (1966), Gloria and Perla (1966), and Urso (1967) who restricted their investigations to the effects following a short-duration per os treatment.

Zavarise (1968) thought it useful to study a number of hemeralopia patients and subjected them to a similar treatment during a longer period of time. This approach would permit to observe the constancy of the effect during the treatment, its duration after discontinuance, and any side-effects.

On the second day of treatment, the patients already showed an improvement in the retinal luminous sensitivity that remained virtually constant during three months' treatment, although it gradually decreased when the drug was discontinued as shown by the return of the adaptation curve to its original condition.

The same patients, when subjected to a new treating cycle, again showed values overlapping those previously found and never evidenced side-effects. Juneman (1968) was successfull in a similar case of hemeralopia which at first seemed unsolvable.

Around the same time as the early experiments in ophtalmology, the effectiveness of orally administered Bilberry anthocyanosides was more generally tested on all those tissues which are particularly sensitive to disturbances in the capillary blood systems.

Terrasse and Moinade (1964) obtained satisfactory results in patients affected by blood purpuras and various encephalic circulation disturbances. They also treated cases subjected to anti-coagulating measures and varicose vein patients.

In the same year, Demure reported on 124 cases affected by arterious and venous troubles from various origins, and 10 capillary fragility subjects. All were treated with anthocyanosides. The results obtained were very satisfactory, even from the standpoint of tolerance to the product used. Cuvellier et al. (1966) made a deep study into capillary permeability and determined its pathological increase by an appropriate technique.

The patients selected for the purpose had a common complaint in an unbalanced water and plasmatic protein distribution on both sides of the capillary wall. The anthocyanoside-based treatment produced a marked improvement and reduced hyperpermeability in most cases.

Romeuf (1967) studied the effect of Bilberry anthocyanosides exclusively on microscopic hematuriae caused by diffuse and kidney glomerule capillary fragility.

Sixty per cent of a variety of kidney patients showed appreciable reduction in hematuria. Failures in the remaining cases were explained by taking into consideration more serious conditions and advanced stages in specific deceses.

Satisfactory results were obtained by Baudon et al (1968) in obstetrics. They experimented with an association based on Bilberry anthocyanosides and vitamin E. The clinical pattern improved in 35 pregnant women, most of them affected by varices and various blood troubles. The drug was well tolerated and no side effects were found in either the mother and the infant.

Canivet and Passa (1971) were also successful in associating Bilberry anthocyanosides with such other active principles as nicotinic acid, papaverine, and phenobarbital.

The product was administered as a vasodilator, hypotensor and capillary wall protector to diabetes patients and subjects affected by artery hypertension and arteritis.

A number of Authors followed the course of Vitamin P factors - particularly Bilberry anthocyanosides - in the body.

In the light of earlier investigations, Bastide (1968) stated that these are largely found in the form of metabolites in urines and originated by the activity of liver and kidney enzymes.

The pharmacological and clinical surveys reported here clearly evidence the effectiveness of Bilberry anthocyanosides in all arterial and venous troubles which are accompanied by capillary fragility or hyperpermeability.