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Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus) 1 fl oz: K
About 30-40 dropperfuls per bottle. 30-40 drops per dropperful. Gaia Herb Farm receives Annual Organic Certification. Oregon Tilth has certified Gaia Farms as an Organic Grower of more than 50 medicinal plants. Gaia Herbs Analytical Laboratory analyzes every batch of every product to ensure quality, product consistency, and activity with state of the art instruments. Gaia has become a leader in herbal product analysis, headed up by Dr. Xiping Wang, Chief Scientist and Natural products Chemist. Herbal extracts are a highly effective way to administer herbs. They are very concentrated, they work faster than teas and are four to eight times stronger than capsules. Extracts are easily digestible and quickly assimilated into the system. Also called Whortleberry, Huckleberry and European Blueberry. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Bilberry for 'Nonspecific, acute diarrhea. Local therapy of mild inflammation of the mucous membranes of mouth and throat.' 'Dosage: Internal: Daily dosage 20 - 60 g. External: 10 percent decoction; equivalent preparations. Mode of Administration: Dried drug for infusions, as well as other galenical preparations for internal use and local application. Duration of Administration: If diarrhea persists for more than 3 - 4 days, consult a physician. Action: Astringent.' The dried berries and leaves have been recommended for scurvy, urinary tract infections, kidney stones and diarrhea. Modern research on bilberry was kick-started by British World War II pilots, who noticed that their night vision improved when they ate bilberry jam prior to night bombing raids. The plant appears to assist the retina, the light-sensitive part of the eye, in adjusting quickly to both dark and light. Research has shown that this is probably a result of the plant's anthocyanosides, which have antioxidant properties and appear to boost oxygen and blood delivery to the eye. In one study of 50 patients with age-related cataracts, it was found that taking bilberry extract along with vitamin E supplements stopped the progression of cataracts in nearly all of the participants. The study did not, however, isolate the effects of the vitamin from the bilberry. But bilberry has also shown promise in the treatment of other eye disorders, such as diabetic retinopathy and pigmentary retinitis, so bilberries and eyes seem to go together. Anthocyanosides also appear to strengthen collagen, the protein that provides support to healthy connective tissue. Anthocyanosides help larger blood vessels maintain good circulation throughout the body. A 1988, single-blind, placebo-controlled study of this herb included 60 patients with poor circulation (venous insufficiency). The results showed that bilberry extract decreased the participants' discomfort when taken over a period of 30 days. Bilberry's astringent tannins help with diarrhea, sore throat, an
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