How to Use Bilberry to Treat Diabetes

Bilberry can be used as a remedy for many ailments, from diarrhea to arthritis, due to its high level of anti-oxidants and anthocyanidins. Its use for the treatment of diabetes, however, must be supervised by your physician, since it can interact unfavorably with some medications.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor or health care professional
• Dried, fresh or frozen bilberries
• Bilberry extract or tea
• Distilled or purified water
• Blood glucose meter

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Instructions

• 1

  Consult with your physician or health care professional about the use of bilberry to treat some of the symptoms of diabetes. While bilberry can be extremely effective in improving blood circulation to the extremities, which can be an issue with most diabetics, it can also interact unfavorably with some types of diabetic medications. Bilberry can lower blood sugar to dangerous levels when used in conjunction with these types of prescription drugs.

• 2

  Consider the use of bilberry to treat diabetes if you are more prone to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) than hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). While many diabetics may experience peaks and valleys in blood glucose levels, bilberry may be a more viable option for those diabetics who maintain consistently high blood sugar levels.

• 3

  Eat bilberries in their natural form, whether dried, fresh or frozen. By eating the actual berries, you body will be able to synthesize the anthocyanidins and anti-oxidants more slowly due to the fiber content of the fruit. Taking bilberry in a liquid form or extract may be too potent, since those compounds can enter the bloodstream too quickly.

• 4

  Use bilberry in tea, juice or extract form in small quantities frequently throughout the day to avoid the effects of hypoglycemia. Use your blood glucose meter while taking bilberry in a liquid form to monitor your blood sugar and determine how it reacts to these compounds. If there is a noticeable fluctuation in your blood sugar patterns, go back to eating the berries.

• 5

  Follow up with your doctor to determine if bilberry has been able to improve the diabetes symptoms caused by poor blood circulation, such as dry, cracked heels, cuts and sores that won't heal properly or tingling and numbness in the extremities.