Evidence supporting the use of: Bilberry
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, especially in Europe, for a variety of ailments. Its use for colds is primarily based on its high content of bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, and vitamin C, which have general antioxidant and immune-supportive properties. In folk medicine, bilberry extracts and teas have been recommended to help with respiratory tract infections, including colds, due to their purported ability to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.

However, direct scientific evidence supporting the antiviral effects of bilberry specifically against cold viruses (such as rhinoviruses or coronaviruses) is limited. Some in vitro studies indicate that anthocyanins can inhibit viral replication and modulate immune responses, but these findings are not specific to bilberry or to common cold viruses. There are a few animal and lab studies suggesting that bilberry extracts may have general antimicrobial or immunomodulatory effects, but high-quality clinical trials in humans are lacking. Thus, while bilberry continues to be used traditionally for colds, its use is not strongly supported by modern scientific evidence, and it should not be relied upon as a primary antiviral therapy.

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Allium tuberosum
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Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
amentoflavone
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
apigenin
arabinogalactan
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Asteraceae
atractylone
Aureobasidium pullulans
Autumn elaeagnus
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
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Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
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Bassia scoparia
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bilberry
bishop\'s weed
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black cumin
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black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black seed
blueberry
Bombax
borneol
Broussonetia
buckthorn
caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
carrageenan
carvacrol
cat's claw
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Chondrus
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cinnamaldehyde
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citron
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Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
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commiphora
common madia
coriolus mushroom
costus
cowherb
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
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elderberry
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
essential oil blend
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forsythia
fruit
fulvic acid
fungus
Galangal
Gallesia
gallotannin
gamma-terpinene
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glyceryl monolaurate
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goji berry
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shiitake mushroom
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zanthoxylum
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