Bears love bearberry berries. Hence its scientific name Arctostaphylos uva-ursiwhich in Greek and Latin respectively translates to «bear grape». In fact, that is also how it is known, as uva de oso or uva-ursi, boixerola in Catalan or bearberry in English.

Bears consume its fleshy red berries in autumn, as do other forest animals, such as capercaillie or thrushes. However, for humans they are inedible. They are the bearberry leaves (Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.) those used for medicinal purposes.

Traditionally the bearberry has been widely used by many peoples of Nordic latitudes. Indigenous people of North America smoked the chopped leaves, mixed with tobacco, to take advantage of the supposed narcotic effects. In regions of Russia it has been drunk as tea, sometimes along with lingonberry.

Bearberry must also be very familiar to mountain lovers, as it is creeping plant covers with its tiny leaves the clearings of pine and oak forests in the Pyrenees, Pre-Pyrenees, Cantabrian mountains, Iberian System and Sierra Nevada.

The bearberry forms dense mats in the undergrowth of pine and fir trees, both in mountainous areas and on rocky hills, between 1,000 and 2,500 meters of altitude. It is a perennial bush, barely half a meter high, with creeping stems, small, oval, hard and glossy leaves, and pink flowers in the shape of tiny bells. The berries are tiny bright bright red spheres, about the size of a chickpea.

Properties of bearberry

Bearberry leaves contain abundant tannins, ursolic acids and allantoin, as well as a glycoside, arbutinwhich has been shown to be highly effective in destroying bacteria in urine.

Due to the effect of the intestinal bacterial flora, arbutin is hydrolyzed, releasing hydroquinone from the liver, which reaches the kidney through the blood and is eliminated through urine. It also contains traces of essential oil with linalool and terpineol, flavonoids derived from quercetol in the pigments, carotenoids and group B vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids.

The bearberry also shows astringent propertiesantidiarrheal, hemostatic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and re-epithelializing.

What is bearberry used for?

The benefits of bearberry are diverse and are summarized below:

• It is the great natural and herbal remedy to combat urinary tract infectionssuch as cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, as well as kidney infection or nephritis.
• Contributes to prevent the formation of kidney stones and may favor their expulsion in mild or incipient cases.
• It is indicated as support to treat fluid retention and overweightassociated with other plants with similar virtues.
• as astringentis a valid support in case of seasonal diarrhea, due to poisoning, allergies or drinking spring water.
• According to certain studies, bearberry pigments exert a notable antioxidant effect, capable of stopping the action of free radicals, reducing the cellular oxidation. They are incorporated into certain foods to enhance their antioxidant effect.

Bearberry for the mouth and eyes

Externally, Bearberry is indicated as an astringent on mouth ulcers, mouth bleeding, gingivitis, glossitis, infections in dental plaque, thrush, inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), irritation around the eyes and in gargles on throat irritations and inflammations (tonsillitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis).

Bearberry for the skin

Bearberry extracts have the ability to restore epidermal cells, re-epithelializing capacity.

According to some clinical studies, bearberry extract could develop a melanin stimulating actionwhich when exposed to UVA rays on the skin, would reduce its phototoxic effect. Therefore, bearberry extract It is incorporated into creams, sprays and ointments to prevent or cure burns and scalds.

This also indicated on woundseven with minor bleeding, sores, skin ulcers, itching, hives, eczema and other dermatitis.

How to use bearberry

Bearberry can be taken internally in various ways, although it can also be used topically.

How to take it:

• In infusion or decoction of the leaves, up to 3 glasses a day.
• In powders, up to 4 g per day in doses of about 0.5 g.
• in drops of liquid extract and tincture.
• It is also found in capsules or tabletsin herbal and parapharmacy products.

How to apply it topically:

• The decoction is applied on partial bath or with compresses on wounds, sores and skin ulcers.
• The decoction purified in gargles, rinses and mouthwashes for oral problems.
• And again, the decoction purified of impurities to apply as eyewashin blepharitis and irritated eyes.
• It is also incorporated in creams, ointments and lotions.

Contraindications of bearberry

The bearberry is one of those plants that should not be consumed lightly, due to its possible toxic potential. Perceptive doses should never be exceeded and Treatments should not exceed two weeks followed, to insert rest periods.

• For your high tannin contentconsumption at high doses can cause irritation of the mucous membranes, heartburn and reflux. It is not recommended in case of gastroduodenal ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome and in general for delicate stomachs.
• At high doses it could also be oxytoxic, causing uterine contractions.
• It should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be administered to children under 6 years.
• You should consult your doctor if you suffer from kidney disease or high blood pressure.
• Abuse in taking arbutin could cause liver damage.

At weighted dosesbearberry, outside of these exceptions, can be taken without problems.

Remedies with bearberry

We present three infusions for their most common uses:

Bearberry infusion for urinary infections

• Ingredients: Bearberry leaves, horsetail, birch leaves, sage leaves, buchu, heather, mallow and fennel.
• Preparation: Mix the plants in equal parts and separate four level tablespoons of the mixture per liter of water. Cook for a couple of minutes and let it rest for another ten.
• How to take it: After filtering it, you can take it throughout the day, in small doses.

Combine this infusion with a generous consumption of fruit and vegetables, foods that help alkalize urine, and avoid others, such as sweets.

Bearberry infusion for the prostate

As a natural support in the treatment of prostate problems, prostatitis (inflammation) and irregularities and urgency in urination, you can prepare this infusion:

• Ingredients: Bearberry, horsetail, juniper, epilobium (Epilobium parvifolium) and a flavor corrector such as star anise.
• Preparation: Mix the plants in equal parts and thoroughly, for example 15 grams of each plant. Separate 3-4 tablespoons of the mixture per liter of water. Boil it for 2-3 minutes, let it rest for 10 more minutes and strain.
• How to take it: You can drink it throughout the day, even cold from the refrigerator.

Mouthwash for canker sores and bleeding gums

This is an effective natural formula to treat oral inflammations such as canker sores, mouth ulcers, mouth bleeding, discomfort and infections due to dental prostheses, pharyngitis.

• Ingredients: Liquid extracts of bearberry, ratania, plantain, sage, myrrh and wild rose. About 5 grams of each.
• Preparation: Mix with an excipient, such as maple syrup, cane sugar or rice molasses, of which we will need about 50 g. To make the mouthwash, dilute this mixture in a decoction of plantain and marshmallow.
• How to use: As a mouthwash or gargle, twice a day. For canker sores and other localized impurities, it can be applied by dabbing on the inflamed area with the help of a cotton swab or piece of cotton.

Jordi Cebrian

Advisor: J. Mª. Teixé, herbalist from «El Manantial de Salud»