Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva ursi
or
Arbutus uva ursi

Bearberry or Uva Ursi is a small, evergreen shrub found in the northern U.S. and in Europe, especially in dry, sandy or gravelly soils. A single long, fibrous main root sends out several prostrate or buried stems from which grow erect, branching stems 4-6 inches high. The bark is dark brown or slightly reddish. The small leathery obovate to spatulate leaves are rounded at the apex, 1/2-1 inch long, and slightly rolled down at the edges. Fall is the best time to pick the leaves.
Bearberry is remarkable for reducing accumulations of uric acid in the body. Bearberry also relieves the extreme pain accompanying kidney and bladder stones and inflammation of the bladder itself. This is best accomplished by soaking a handful of fresh leaves in enough brandy to cover for one week, after which 1 tbsp. of these leaves, chopped or cut, are then simmered in 1 cup of boiling water for 20 minutes. Then before drinking when lukewarm, add a teaspoon of the brandy solution in which the leaves had been soaked to each cup of tea consumed.

Bearberry or manzanita is terrific for treating kidney problems. Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) and renal calculi (kidney stones) are overcome with a tea made from the berries and leaves of this plant. Cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) and urethritis in women (inflammation of the urethra) have been successfully treated using the same tea. It is the astringency of the tannin acid on the berries and leaves that makes them work so well in such medical conditions.
To make an all-purpose tea, bring a quart of water to a boil. Then add 3 tablespoons of dried, chopped berries and leaves. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 5 minutes. Turn off the stove and let the brew steep for a half hour. Strain one cup at a time and take when lukewarm on an empty stomach.

In folk medicine, bearberry is a diuretic and astringent for diseases of the bladder and kidneys. It is supposed to impart tone to the urinary passages and also to exert an antiseptic action there. This is supposed to render the drug practicable in various inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract such as urethritis, cystitis, etc. Bearberry contains about 5 to 12 percent of the phenolic glycoside arbutin, which hydrolyzes when taken to release hydroquinone, the principal antiseptic and astringent constituent of the plant. Ursolic acid, a triterpene derivative, and isoquercitrin, a flavonoid pigment, also contribute to the diuretic action. Bearberry contains large amounts (15 to 20 percent) of tannin, an undesirable constituent that tends to upset the stomach. Consequently, the leaves should not be extracted with hot water, as is normally the case in preparing a tea. Rather, it is better to pour cold water over them and allow them to stand twelve to twenty-four hours before drinking. This minimizes the tannin content of the beverage.

Arbutin, or more specifically, the hydroquinone derived from it, is a rather effective urinary antiseptic, but only if taken in large doses and if the urine is alkaline. This means that consumers should avoid eating acid-rich foods, including many fruits and their juices, sauerkraut, vitamin C, and similar products. Consumers must also be aware that hydroquinone, in large doses, is toxic and may cause ringing in the ears, vomiting, convulsions, and collapse. However, since the recommended dose of bearberry is 1 gram, three to six times daily (delivering an average of 400 to 800 mg arbutin daily), and doses as large as 20 grams have produced no adverse response in healthy individuals, there would seem to be minimal cause for concern. Bearberry is not recommended for children and pregnant or lactating women. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, or worsen during treatment, medical advice is necessary.

Bearberry is an ingredient in practically all of the kidney- and bladder-type teas, large numbers of which are marketed in Europe. It appears to be a modestly effective urinary antiseptic and diuretic if properly employed. The wisdom of self-determining conditions in which it might prove helpful and then self-treating them is, of course, an individual matter.

Other names

• Arberry
• Bear's-grape
• Crowberry
• Foxberry
• Hog Cranberry
• Kinnikinnick
• Mealberry
• Mountain Box
• Mountain Cranberry
• Red Bearberry
• Sagackhomi
• Sandberry
• Upland Cranberry
• Uva Ursi
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Parts used

Leaves, berries.

Uses

Bearberry is one of the best natural urinary antiseptics. Bearberry has been used extensively in herbal medicine to disinfect and astringe the urinary tract in cases of acute and chronic cystitis and urethritis. However, bearberry is not a suitable remedy if there is a simultaneous infection of the kidneys.

Habitat & cultivation

Bearberry is native to Europe and is naturalized throughout the northern hemisphere up to the Arctic. Bearberry grows in damp conditions in undergrowth, heathland, and grassland. The leaves are gathered in autumn. While not particularly palatable, the berries have been harvested in autumn as fruit.

Research

Experiments have shown that bearberry extracts have an antibacterial effect. This action is thought to be stronger in alkaline urine -thus the efficacy of bearberry is likely to increase if it is taken in combination with a vegetable-based diet.

Constituents

Bearberry contains glycosides, including arbutin and ericolin. 6% tannin, flavonoids and resin.

How much to take

For alcohol-based tinctures, many people take 5 ml three times per day. Herbal extracts in capsules or tablets (containing 20% arbutin) in an amount of 250-500 mg three times per day can also be taken. Use of uva ursi should be limited to no more than fourteen days. To ensure alkaline urine, 6-8 grams of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mixed in a glass of water can be drunk. Baking soda should not be taken for more than fourteen days; as well, individuals with high blood pressure should not take baking soda. People should not use bearberry to treat an infection without first consulting a nutritionally oriented doctor.

Side effects

Some people may experience mild nausea after taking bearberry. Long-term use of bearberry is not recommended, due to possible side effects from excessive levels of hydroquinone. People should avoid taking acidic agents, such as fruit juice or vitamin C, while using bearberry. Bearberry is contraindicated in pregnant or lactating women and should be used in young children only with the guidance of a health care professional.

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