Evidence supporting the use of: Bilberry
For the health condition: Colitis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) has a history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, but its application for colitis is primarily supported by emerging scientific evidence rather than longstanding tradition. Several preclinical and a few clinical studies have investigated bilberry's potential benefits in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis. The bioactive compounds in bilberry, particularly anthocyanins, exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut barrier–protective properties.

A key pilot clinical trial published in Gut (2010) involved patients with active ulcerative colitis who consumed bilberry extract. Participants showed clinical improvement and reduced markers of inflammation, such as fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein. Animal studies have also demonstrated that bilberry and its anthocyanins can reduce colonic inflammation, restore tight junction proteins, and modulate the gut microbiota, which may contribute to its beneficial effects in colitis.

Despite these promising findings, the clinical evidence is still limited; studies often involve small sample sizes and lack replication in large-scale, rigorous trials. Thus, while bilberry is not a standard treatment for colitis, there is moderate scientific support for its adjunctive use, and ongoing research may clarify its role. Anyone considering bilberry for colitis should consult a healthcare provider, as it is not a substitute for conventional therapy.

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Other ingredients used for Colitis

Akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
Aloe vera
anthocyanins
apple
astaxanthin
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
barberry
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
blueberry
bromelain
butyrate triglyceride
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
fiber blend (proprietary)
flavonols
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
hemp oil
immunoglobin G
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
L-glutamine
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus lactis
Lactoferrin
licorice root
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
plantain
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
quercetin
resveratrol
Saccharomyces boulardii
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
Triphala
Zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
blackboard tree
picrorhiza kurroa
Swertia
buckthorn
anemarrhena asphodeloides
Algae
apple cider vinegar
apigenin
anamu
Alchornea
andrographolide
Asteraceae
Acemannan
Amor seco
astragalin
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Boswellic Acid
bael
Basidiomycota
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bifidobacterium animalis
back nightshade
bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
cactus
Curcuminoid
curcumen
Curcuma
cabbage
Clostridium butyricum
colocynth
diterpenes
Euphorbia
fucoidan
fiber
Frangula
gallic acid
Glycomacropeptides
Guava
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
Humic acid
hericium mushroom
Immunoglobulin G
Kefir
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactococcus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus
L. lactis
Mucilage
Nimbidin
Oligosaccharides
Oxymatrine
Osthole
polysaccharides
Plantago
phlorotannins
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
probiotics
Pediococcus acidilactici
Patrinia
Peptides
rosmarinic acid
Rhus coriaria
reed herb
Slippery Elm
Scabrous Gentian
Triterpenes
Tayuya
Trametes
Varuna