Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) can be used to help hemorrhoids. The part that is used is the fruit, and this article will focus on bilberry berries exclusively.
You can use this herb internally to help manage inflammation and potentially improve vein function. But, since bilberry has tannins present in it, these tannins could reduce your ability to form blood clots and lead to more bleeding. Additionally, tannins can worsen constipation; which is a key root cause of many cases of hemorrhoids.
One of the most common medicinal uses for bilberry is for helping with circulatory diseases.(source 17) And, hemorrhoids are a circulatory problem.
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center,(source 2) hemorrhoids and varicose veins are swollen and twisted veins, just in different parts of the body. When varicose veins form in the rectum, they are called hemorrhoids. Thus, since the two conditions are practically identical, they may have similar etiologies (manner of causation of a disease or condition).
Why is Bilberry Medicinal?
According to the 2011 book Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects(source 1) bilberry is one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins. anthocyanins are a group of pigments found in plants; and these polyphenolic (micronutrients naturally occuring in plants) components give bilberry its dark blue color and high antioxidant content. It is thought that anthocyanins are the key reason bilberry, and other berries, impart medicinal value to those who eat them.
How should you use Bilberry to Treat Hemorrhoids?
Because tannins can aggravate a key cause of this condition, constipation, they should be avoided if you struggle with passing stools. And, since tannins can aggravate bleeding, it’s probably not the best idea to consume large amounts of bilberries when you’ve got hemorrhoids.
If bilberry is a must have for your hemorrhoid plan, the renowned late medicinal plant expert, Dr. James Duke in his book The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook,(source 3) recommends the following daily dosage options:
- Two 475 mg capsules that contain at least 10 mg of anthocyanins twice a day.
- 240 mg to 480 mg of a supplement that is standardized to have 25% anthocyanins.
- 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of liquid extract.
- 1 or 2 tablespoons of crushed bilberry fruit made into a tea with a cup of boiling water each day.
Although bilberry does provide some benefit, it may be even better to use an assortment of other herbs internally at the same time. Here are some other herbs to consider:
- For inflammation: Try opting for soothing aloe vera juice to help ease inflammation, lessen swelling, and assist with wound healing.
- For vein support: Butcher’s broom has a long history of use for venous problems like hemorrhoids and varicose veins (additionally, this herb is also an anti-inflammatory).
- For external treatment: Witch hazel is a renowned external treatment for hemorrhoids. Making sure to apply witch hazel to hemorrhoids is a great way to get some natural relief.
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Tannins in Bilberry Treat Hemorrhoids
A 2011 study in the Polish Journal of Environmental Studies(source 4) cited research which showed bilberry can contain up to 12% tannins. Their own research showed tannin content to be at 800 mg / 100 g dry weight to 2,600 mg / 100 g dry weight of tannins. These figures were clearly less than the figures found in other studies; thus, tannin content can vary.
It is important to know that tannins are often referred to as tannic acid and are water-soluble polyphenols that are present in many plant foods.(source 5)
A 2022 study in the Journal of Biomaterials Applications(source 6) does a good job of providing a comprehensive overview of the medicinal applications for tannins; and, hemorrhoid treatment is specifically discussed.
The study states that tannins in plants have been used to treat various gastrointestinal and ano-rectal diseases. Key benefits tannins can bring to hemorrhoid sufferers include the following:
- Reducing pain
- Reducing inflammation
- Relieving itching
- Constrict inflamed blood vessels
The study goes on to point out that aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid injections are a method modern medicine uses to effectively treat internal hemorrhoids. This type of injection causes blood flow to be inhibited to the hemorrhoid and the inflammation in the area to subside. This type of treatment has powerful results, allowing for approximately 97% of patients to see quick retraction of the hemorrhoid.
There are many different applications for tannins outside of hemorrhoids, the basic uses are summarized by this study as follows:
While tannic can be used to directly treat or prevent some medical conditions, it has inherent antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer properties, that with further research, can contribute to the development of additional pharmaceutical applications.
Journal of Biomaterials Applications [36.8 (2022): 1503-1523]
Bleeding: A Possible Downside to Bilberry
According to a 2022 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology(source 7) tannins have antiplatelet activity. Platelets are key to forming blood clots and stopping bleeding. Additionally, the study reports tannins display an inhibitory effect on thrombosis (the formation of blood clots).
So, this can possibly lead to more bleeding than usual from hemorrhoids if you start eating medicinal doses of bilberry.
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Bilberry is an Anti-Inflammatory Herb
According to a 2022 review study (based on studies from 2007 to the date of this study) in Current Issues in Molecular Biology,(source 8) bilberry is anti-inflammatory. Whole, frozen, and processed bilberry fruit, along with juices, were verified as anti-inflammatory by this review.
Data from animal and cellular studies found that bilberry does this by reducing the following inflammatory cytokines (cytokines are substances produced by immune system cells that cause an effect on other cells): tumor necrosis factor alpha, Interleukin 6, and Interleukin 1 beta.
Let’s explain what these cytokines do briefly for a better understanding.
Tumor necrosis factor alpha: this compound causes the death of tumor cells and also produces more than one effect on various types of cells. Importantly, it is a major regulator of the inflammatory response.(source 9)
Interleukin 6: a cytokine that is produced in response to tissue injury and infection. It has more than one effect on inflammation and the immune response. It has both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties.(source 10)
Interleukin 1 beta: this cytokine is an important mediator of the inflammatory response. It is a powerful pro-inflammatory cytokine that is key in responses to infection or injury.(source 11)
In addition to having an effect on cytokines, bilberry also lowered inflammation by affecting the inflammation related enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 (cyclooxygenase is a key enzyme required for the production of prostaglandins(source 12) [and prostaglandins are compounds that have hormone-like effects]) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (a crucial mediator of inflammation and immune system response, which also produces nitric oxide(source 13)).
This fruit also reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS, which are a mediator of inflammation) in animal and cellular research.
Furthermore the anthocyanins in this fruit were shown by this study to reduce the levels of inflammatory markers in the majority of studies on metabolic disorders.
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Bilberry Could Help Vein Function
A 2009 systematic review study of bilberry, published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements,(source 14) discussed how bilberry is used to treat chronic venous insufficiency (CVI; a condition where the veins in your lower body are not properly sending blood back to the heart).
CVI can result in varicose veins; and, hemorrhoids can be thought of as varicose veins of the anus.(source 15) Thus, addressing vein function might help to improve a possible underlying causal factor in hemorrhoids.
According to this review study, an extract of bilberry, standardized to 25% anthocyanin, and European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) anthocyanoside and is often used in Europe for treating CVI.
Bilberry extract has been found to have powerful effects on vascular fragility and permeability in animal and in vitro research.
Another study covered by this review resulted in 60 people who had CVI demonstrating a reduction in symptom intensity after taking bilberry for 30 days.
A 2017 study in the International Journal of Angiology(source 16) used a proprietary bilberry supplement for tests with CVI. This product was Mirtoselect (a standardized bilberry extract with 36% anthocyanins). The study stated it is a product that is used to help with venous microcirculation and with swelling in CVI.
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About the Author
Nick Gross is a natural medicine enthusiast who has been researching and writing about natural medicine since 2008. Nick is primarily a web developer, but also researches and authors written and video content about natural health. Nick has a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Northern Iowa.
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