Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus

The Basics

What is Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus?

Used for cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, as vision aids, and to treat diarrhea and other conditions.

Brand names for Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus

Na

How Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus is classified

Complementary Therapies, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal

Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus During Pregnancy

Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus while pregnant

N/A

Taking Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus?

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) fruit contains tannins and anthocyanidins. Bilberry is most often used for eye disorders. Bilberry was reportedly used as a European folk medicine to stop milk flow. No data exist on the excretion of any components of bilberry into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of bilberry in nursing mothers or infants. Bilberry preparations are generally well tolerated as a food, but should be avoided in patients allergic to bilberry, cranberry, blueberry, and other Vaccinium species. No recommendations can be made on the use of large quantities of bilberry products during breastfeeding. Dietary supplements do not require pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) fruit contains tannins and anthocyanidins. Bilberry is most often used for eye disorders. Bilberry was reportedly used as a European folk medicine to stop milk flow. No data exist on the excretion of any components of bilberry into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of bilberry in nursing mothers or infants. Bilberry preparations are generally well tolerated as a food, but should be avoided in patients allergic to bilberry, cranberry, blueberry, and other Vaccinium species. No recommendations can be made on the use of large quantities of bilberry products during breastfeeding. Dietary supplements do not require pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Possible effects of Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Bilberry / Vaccinium myrtillus

None listed