Berry has long history in medicine

Dear Dr. Gott: I’m sending you information on bilberry, which helped the World War II airmen flying their planes at night. I’ve been taking these pills since I read about them in an article in Woman’s World magazine. It was about how the berry can help eyesight and night vision.

I can now drive at night with no problem. The oncoming car headlights are no longer bothersome.

I use bilberry with lutein. It is inexpensive, and I purchase mine at Wal-Mart.

I know this will help a lot of people, so please let your readers know about this wonderful product.

Dear Reader: Bilberries, also known as whortleberries, huckleberries or European blueberries, are commonly used in syrups, pies, cobblers and jams. The fruit extract also is used in wines as a coloring agent. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (nccam.nih.gov), the fruit and the leaves have been used for almost 1,000 years in traditional European medicine.

Historically, the fruit (dried, fresh or extract) has been used to treat diarrhea, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) and more. Today, it is popular for the treatment of diarrhea, eye problems, some circulatory problems and menstrual cramps. The leaves (extract or tea) are sometimes used to treat diabetes.

There is not enough evidence that bilberry provides benefits for medical conditions. At the same time, there is not enough evidence proving that it won’t help, either. Although the fruit is considered safe owing to its long history as a food source, high doses may be toxic.

If you have had positive results from the product, then stick with it. Be sure to tell your doctor that you are taking it and at what dose. In theory, bilberry may interact with certain medications, such as those to lower blood pressure or blood sugar. It is necessary that anyone interested in taking the medicine speak to his or her physician first to ensure that the risk of interaction is reduced.

Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet,” (Grand Central Publishing, $21.99).