Bearberry

Species Name: arctostaphylos uva-ursi among others.

Also known as: Red Bearberry, Common Bearberry, Alpine Bearberry.

What is Bearberry? Bearberries are in the genus Arctostaphylos and includes three dwarf shrubs. Unlike others in the species, that are able to live in arctic and sub-arctic climates.

They currently live in some circumpolar areas in northern North America, Asia, and Europe as well as in Central America. This species is unrelated to the medicinal tree Cascara or Chitticum that also uses the name of Bearberry.

Home Remedies using Bearberry:

Benefits of Bearberry:

The bearberry plant contains arbutin, methylarbutin, ursolic acid, tannic acid, gallic acid, some essential oils, and resin, hydroquinones, tannins, phenolic glycosides, and flavonoids.

All of these are essential in their own way in promoting good health and fighting disease including heart disease, infections, and in some cases, cancer.

Uses of Bearberry:

• Native Americans used bearberry for the following conditions, none of which are currently substantiated:
• Treatment of urinary tract infections
• Treatment of venereal diseases
• Obesity

The following are current uses that are claimed to be effective:

• Anti-lithic, aromatic astringent
• Disinfectant
• Diuretic
• Lithontripic
• Sedative (renal)
• Mild  stimulant
• Tonic
• Urinary antiseptic
• Arthritis
• Lower back pain
• Bed wetting
• Problems of the bile
• Bloating
• Treatment of Bright’s Disease
• Treatment of bronchitis
• Carrarrh of the bladder
• Treatment of cystitis
• Treatment of diabetes by removing excess sugar
• Diarrhea
• Fevers
• Edema
• Gallstones
• Gonorrhea
• Headache
• Infections
• Liver problems
• Lung congestion
• Excessive menstrual flow
• Nephritis
• Obesity
• Pancreatitis
• Weakness of the prostate gland
• Rheumatism
• Chronic urethritis
• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal diseases
• Strengthens the heart muscles and urinary tract
• Return of the womb to normal size after childbirth
• Prevention of uterine infection
• Prevention of staphylococci and e-Coli
• Infusions
• Liquid extracts
• Medicinal tea bags
• Tablets

Side Effects of Bearberry:

It is fairly safe although large doses may cause nausea, green urine, bluish-gray skin, vomiting, fever, chills, severe back pain, and ear ringing. This herb should be taken for no more than seven to ten days at a time.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use this herb. It should not be used on children under the age of twelve or in patients with kidney disease.

Some drug interactions have been recorded with patients using diuretics and drugs that make the urine acidic.