Bilberry is useful for the maintenance of eye health. Scientific studies have also advocated the effectiveness of bilberry extract in preventing age-related ocular disorders along with other eye diseases such as cataracts and night-blindness. Lutein present in the eye, when combined with the compounds present in bilberry, helps enhance vision. Another research conducted on bilberry has also suggested that its beneficial enzyme-stimulating activity protects the eyes from endotoxin-induced uveitis. Its extracts stimulate the production of rhodopsin pigment which supports the eye to adapt to light changes.

Due to the astringent action of tannins and pectin present in bilberry, it exerts a therapeutic effect on stomach inflammations. It also heals inflammation caused by the mucous membranes of the throat and mouth when applied topically. The anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit also assist in curing conditions like thrombosis and angina.

Research studies have validated the positive effects of bilberry on blood pressure and vascular health leading to the inhibition of platelet aggregation and smooth muscle contraction. It helps to strengthen capillaries, stimulates circulation, and prevents disorders like varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

The effectiveness of bilberry for managing diabetes has been appreciated since early times and has also been advocated by recent scientific findings. In a study published in The Journal of Nutrition, an animal model revealed that anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract significantly reduced blood glucose concentration and improved insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, the study showed that the berry extract improved hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.

A group of researchers from the University of California Santa Barbara found that bilberry extracts had an antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cells. They prevent the proliferation of malignant cells and induce apoptosis. A comparative study conducted on different berries has rendered bilberry to be the most potent in the inhibition of cancerous cells. It may also help in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy.

Bilberry can reduce the risk of cognitive issues such as dementia and Alzheimer's. The phenolic compounds present in the fruit alleviates these neurological issues.

The antioxidant power of bilberry makes it a valuable multipurpose remedy. The rich source of anthocyanosides is useful water-soluble chemicals that possess radical scavenging qualities. They seek out oxygen-free radicals produced during energy metabolism and neutralize their effects. This protective action prevents the occurrence of many problems caused as a consequence of oxidative stress.

Researchers have shown that the inhibitory and radical scavenging activity of bilberry extracts enhances the level of beneficial glutathione and vitamin C in the body and reduces the concentration of nitric oxide in the liver tissues.

Another antioxidant effect of bilberry is its defense against kidney damage. Scientific research has shown that its extracts help in normalizing multiple critical factors including levels of creatinine, serum, blood, urea, nitrogen, and nitric oxide. It also helps to excrete heavy metals from the body resulting in better detoxification.

Roseroot Extract Oil

(Rhodiola Rosea)

Rhodiola Rosea (R. Rosea), also known as "golden root," is an adaptogenic herb with tremendous fat-burning, energy-enhancing, and brain-boosting power. Adaptogens including Rhodiola are a group of plants that can help your body adapt to physical, chemical, and environmental stress. Rhodiola is one of the most effective in this family, due to its containing active compounds like Rosoavin that have the ability to help balance the stress hormone, cortisol.

The Russians have studied Rhodiola benefits extensively over the past 70 years, mostly for improving work performance and endurance while fighting insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It has also been used to cleanse the body, fight cancer and help treat tuberculosis.

One of the many incredible characteristics of Rhodiola is that it helps your body burn stored fat more efficiently as fuel.

What allows Rhodiola to help lose belly fat? Certain animal studies have found evidence that Rhodiola Rosea might reduce visceral white adipose tissue and increase hypothalamic norepinephrine to help prevent diet-induced obesity.

Rhodiola's most active compound, rosavin, has been shown to trigger a fat-burning response. Because it helps normalize cortisol levels, Rhodiola may also delay fat accumulation that is tied to high cortisol levels (especially fat around the abdomen/belly). Rosavin works by stimulating an enzyme called "hormone-sensitive lipase," which has the ability to break down fat that is stored in adipose tissue (in the belly area). Some sources suggest that if you combine taking Rhodiola extract with doing moderate exercise, the breakdown of belly fat increases even more.

Research implies that one of the most popular uses of Rhodiola is for increasing energy, stamina, and strength.

Rhodiola may help increase your stamina and endurance by increasing your red blood cell count and lowering oxidative damage. Red blood cells (RBC) carry oxygen to muscles and having a higher count can dramatically improve an athlete's performance and help to delay fatigue. Rhodiola benefits work by boosting EPO, also known as erythropoietin, which stimulates RBC production.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in 2004, Rhodiola has anti-inflammatory benefits that aid rapid recovery of muscles and improve endurance. Another study performed on rats found that supplementing with Rhodiola could increase endurance by allowing the animals to swim 25 percent longer. The improvements happened because Rhodiola was found to increase the synthesis of ATP, which is essential for cellular energy.

One of the main reasons people turn to adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola is to help balance cortisol levels, which can be beneficial for slowing age-related symptoms and for looking and feeling better. Rhodiola can help calm your body when your nervous system goes into "fight or flight" mode due to dealing with everyday stressors.

When the hormone cortisol stays high for a long period of time, such as from emotional or physical stress, it can cause you to experience stress-related symptoms, such as:

By keeping cortisol levels balanced, you can improve your health in multiple ways, especially when it comes to feeling younger and more energized. High cortisol levels over an extended period of time may contribute to accelerated signs of aging, higher levels of psychosocial stress, poorer cognitive performance, atrophy of memory-related structures of the brain, weight gain, and exhaustion exactly the reason why Rhodiola makes such a helpful anti-aging supplement.

Another amazing benefit of supplementing with Rhodiola is that it's been shown to help improve cognitive functioning and to help as a depression natural remedy.

Rhodiola may help to increase the sensitivity of your neurons (cells of your brain and nervous system), including the two neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are known for increasing focus, memory, pleasure, and overall mood improvement — making them very important for preventing anxiety and depression. In animal studies, Rhodiola has also been shown to help repair damaged neurons in the hippocampus, a region of the brain considered to be the center for emotion, memory, and autonomic nervous system regulation.

Many doctors of functional medicine prescribe Rhodiola as an effective natural alternative to anti-depressant medications. This works because Rhodiola may increase dopamine sensitivity, which has been shown to improve moods and also to help fight food cravings and addictions.