Bilberry for Diarrhea

Jean Henri Jaume, 1825

Bilberry is a northern European berry that is often used to make pies and jams. It is also called European blueberry and huckleberry. Bilberry has been used to treat diarrhea in Europe for nearly 1000 years. Similar to blueberries, bilberries are high in anthocyanosides, an antioxidant. They are also high in tannins, which have an astringent effect, and in pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown in clinical trials to be effective in treating diarrhea.

Bilberry home remedy for diarrhea

Method

Make a bilberry tea by pouring boiling water over 1 and ½ teaspoons of dried bilberry leaves.

Why It Works

Bilberry is high in tannins, which have an astringent effect. Bilberry’s tannins are believed to reduce inflammation in the intestines. Bilberry is also high in pectin, a soluble fiber that has a soothing and normalizing effect on the intestines. Soluble fiber adds bulk to stool, forming a thick gel that intestines can grip. When intestines are cramping and contracting, as they often do in cases of diarrhea, having something solid to grip can soothe and slow the contractions. It may be hard to believe that a tea could be high in fiber, but soluble fiber dissolves in water (or tea), so it is not noticeable. Pectin is the same soluble fiber that can be found in gelatin, which many doctors recommend for diarrhea.

Precautions

Bilberry is generally thought to be safe, but it should not be used for more than three or four days at a time. First, if diarrhea is lasting longer than two days, it would be wise to see a doctor. Diarrhea does not usually last longer than a day or two. Second, the tannins in bilberry can be toxic if you take them in large quantities or for extended periods of time. Always consult a doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than a day or is extremely painful.

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