Bearberry: benefits, properties and contraindications

Bears love bearberry berries. Hence its scientific name Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, which in Greek and Latin respectively translates as “bear grape”. In fact, this is also how it is known, as uva de oso or uva-ursi, boxerola in catalan or bearberry in English.

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

Traditionally the bearberry has been widely used by many peoples of northern latitudes. Native Americans smoked the chopped leaves, mixed with tobacco, to take advantage of their supposed narcotic effects. In parts of Russia it has been drunk as a tea, sometimes along with lingonberry.

For mountain lovers, the bearberry must also be very familiar, since this 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.

bearberry shape dense carpets in the undergrowth of pine and fir forests, both in mountainous areas and on rocky hills, between 1,000 and 2,500 meters of altitude. It is a perennial plant, 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 red spheres about the size of a chickpea.

Bearberry properties

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 kidneys through the blood and is eliminated through the urine. It also contains traces of essential oil with linalool and terpineol, flavonoids derived from quercetol in the pigments, carotenoids and B vitamins, and unsaturated fatty acids.

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

What is the 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. It contributes to prevent the formation of kidney stones and can favor their expulsion in mild or incipient cases. It is indicated as support to treat fluid retention and overweightassociated with other plants of similar virtues.as an astringentis a valid support in case of seasonal diarrhea, poisoning, allergies or drinking water sources.According to certain studies, bearberry pigments have a notable antioxidant effect, capable of stopping the action of free radicals, reducing the cell 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 for mouth ulcers, mouth bleeds, gingivitis, glossitis, dental plaque infections, thrush, inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), irritation around the eyes and in gargles on irritation and inflammation of the throat ( tonsillitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis).

bearberry for 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 action, that before the radiation of UVA rays on the skin, would decrease its phototoxic effect. For this reason, bearberry extract is incorporated into creams, sprays and ointments to prevent or cure burns and scalds.

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

How bearberry is used

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

How it is taken:

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 liquid extract and tincture. It is also found in capsules or tabletsin herbal and parapharmacy products.

How it is applied topically:

The decoction is applied to 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 like eyewashin blepharitis and irritated eyes. It is also incorporated in creams, ointments and lotions.

bearberry contraindications

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

For his high tannin content, consumption at high doses can cause irritation to 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.Should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be administered to children under 6 yearsIt is worth consulting your doctor if you have kidney disease or in case of high blood pressure. Abuse in taking arbutin could cause Hepatic injury.

At weighted dosesthe bearberry, apart from these exceptions, can be taken without problems.

Remedies with bearberry

We present three infusions for their most common uses:

Bearberry infusion for urinary tract 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 to alkalize the 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, fireweed (Epilobium parvifolium) and a flavor corrector such as star anise.Preparation: Mix the plants equally and thoroughly, for example 15 grams of each plant. Separate 3-4 tablespoons of the mixture per liter of water. Put it to boil for 2-3 minutes, let it rest for 10 more minutes and strain.How to take it: It can be drunk during the day, even cold from the fridge.

Mouthwash for canker sores and bleeding gums

This is an effective natural formula to treat oral inflammations such as canker sores, mouth ulcers, mouth bleeds, 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 on 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 is it used: 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.

Jordi Cebrian

Advisor: J. Mª. Teixé, herbalist of “El Manantial de Salud”