The Medicinal Uses of Bearberry
by Arctostaphylos
uva-ursi
It has been one heckuva long winter here. We’ve still got a six-foot drift running
along the driveway, but fortunately the snow in the backyard has finally melted
and I’ve been able to get some vitamin sunshine.
Spring has finally sprung at the orange big box store as
well, and I strolled around the nursery section looking for the
ever-elusive-to-me Japanese honeysuckle as well as keeping my eyes peeled for
any clearance items. Still no Japanese
honeysuckle, but I did come home with 20 2-quart containers of snapdragons and
6 small strawberry plants for $10. I
don’t even know what was wrong with the strawberries; they were dry, but not
even wilted or drooping. Some of the
snapdragons looked like they were beyond salvage, but they all perked up
immediately with a little water rehab.
While searching for the honeysuckle, I spied some plants I’d
never seen for sale anywhere before:
bearberry. Uva-ursi. Medicinal.
I picked up two pots, not quite sure where I’d plant them, but knowing I
wanted to give them a try. And as far as
medicinal uses go, bearberry is used much like juniper, especially for treating
urinary tract issues.
So bearberry is a native plant, a groundcover that often
goes unnoticed. It grows well on
mountain slopes, helping prevent soil erosion, and does well in sandy soil,
quickly spreading to form a dense mat of vegetation. The berries, though edible and used for
medicine, are not exactly what would be called palatable, though they can be
used in making jam.
HARVEST
Gather the leaves after flowering and when the berries are
ripe.[1] Another source recommends harvesting the
leaves in the fall.[2]
EFFECTIVE AGAINST
·
Gram-positive
o
Cutibacterium
acnes[3]
o
Staphylococcus
aureus[4]
o
Staphylococcus
epidermis[5]
·
Gram-negative
o
Escherichia
coli[6]
§
Extract of aerial parts[7]
o
Helicobacter
pylori
§
Water extract of leaves[8]
·
Fungi
o
Candida
albicans[9]
PREPARATIONS
Infusion: Leaves,
fresh or dried[10],
3-4 ounces, 3 times per day.[11]
Sitz bath: 8-12 ounces of infusion in a bath in warm
water, 2 times per day.[12] Or boil ¼ cup of leaves in 1 gallon of water
for 20 minutes, cool, and bathe once per day for 3-4 days.[13]
Tincture: Dried leaf, 1:5, 50% alcohol. Dosage is 30-60 drops in 1 cup water, 3 times
per day.[14] [15]
Wash: Use the
infusion[16]
USAGE
·
Gastrointestinal
o
Constipation
§
Raw berries eaten[17]
o
Diarrhea
§
In children, berries mixed with grease[18]
§
Infusion[19]
o
Dysentery
§
Leaves[20]
o
Stomachache
§
Leaves chewed[21]
·
Musculoskeletal
o
Back sprains
§
Leaf, stem, and berry tea[22]
o
Chronic lower back pain
§
Leaf, stem, and berry tea[23]
o
Lower back pain
§
Infusion[24]
§
Moistened leaves rubbed on the back[25]
·
Respiratory
o
Bronchitis
§
Infusion[26]
o
Earache
§
Leaf smoke[27]
o
Thrush[28]
·
Skin
o
Acne[29]
o
Boils
§
Leaf paste poultice[30]
o
Burns
§
Leaf paste poultice[31]
o
Cuts
§
Leaves and stems ground and applied as a plaster[32]
o
Dandruff
§
Leaf and berry tea used as a wash[33]
o
Heat rash
§
Infusion used as a wash[34]
o
Hives
§
Infusion used as a wash[35]
o
Minor skin irritations
§
Infusion used as a wash[36]
o
Pimples[37]
§
Leaf paste poultice[38]
o
Sores
§
Leaf and berry tea used as a wash[39]
§
Leaves and stems ground and applied as a plaster[40]
·
Urogenital (for urinary tract issues, use the
tincture[41])
o
Bladder, kidney, and urinary tract ailments[42]
§
Tea[43]
o
Bladder stones[44]
o
Cystitis[45]
o
Gonorrhea[46]
§
Infusion[47]
§
Tincture[48]
o
Kidney stones[49]
o
Menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding[50]
§
Infusion[51]
o
Nephritis[52]
o
Post-partum
o
Urethritis[55]
o
Urinary tract infections
§
Infusion, 2-3 cups per day[56]
·
Other
o
Cancer
§
Breast, Colon, Melanoma, Prostate[57] [58]
o
Berries boiled, sweetened, served with cream for
dessert[59]
o
Leaves and berries chewed to stimulate saliva
and reduce thirst[60]
[61]
Synergisms: Bearberry
extract works synergistically with oxacillin against MRSA infections.[62]
CONTRAINDICATIONS.
Consuming too many bearberries may cause constipation. [63] Not to be used by pregnant or nursing women.[64] [65] Do not use for more than
three days at a time. [66]
Links to related
posts:
[1]
Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 298-99.
[2]
I. Parejo, et al., A single extraction step in the quantitative analysis of
arbutin in bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) leaves by high-performance
liquid chromatography, Phytochemical Analysis, September-October 2001, Vol 12
No 5, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11705262/ (accessed 27 April 2023).
[3]
F. Dell’Annunziata, et al., In Vitro Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Leaf Extract against Cutibacterium
acnes, Pharmaceutics, 15 September 2022, Vol 14 No 9, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9501556/
(accessed 27 April 2023).
[4]
R Snowden, et al., A comparison of the anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity of
extracts from commonly used medicinal plants, Journal of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine, May 2014, Vol 20 No 5, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24635487/
(accessed 28 April 2023).
[5]
F. Dell’Annunziata, et al., In Vitro Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Leaf Extract against Cutibacterium
acnes, Pharmaceutics, 15 September 2022, Vol 14 No 9, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9501556/
(accessed 27 April 2023).
[6]
Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 298-99.
[7]
I. Parejo, et al., A single extraction step in the quantitative analysis of
arbutin in bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) leaves by high-performance
liquid chromatography, Phytochemical Analysis, September-October 2001, Vol 12
No 5, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11705262/ (accessed 27 April 2023).
[8]
I. Parejo, et al., A single extraction step in the quantitative analysis of
arbutin in bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) leaves by high-performance
liquid chromatography, Phytochemical Analysis, September-October 2001, Vol 12
No 5, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11705262/ (accessed 27 April 2023).
[9]
Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 298-99.
[10]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[11]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[12]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[13]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[14]
Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 365.
[15]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[16]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[17]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[18]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[19]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[20]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[21]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[22]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[23]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[24]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[25]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[26]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[27]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[28]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[29]
F. Dell’Annunziata, et al., In Vitro Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Leaf Extract against Cutibacterium
acnes, Pharmaceutics, 15 September 2022, Vol 14 No 9, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9501556/
(accessed 27 April 2023).
[30]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[31]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[32]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[33]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[34]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[35]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[36]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[37]
F Dell’Annunziata, et al., In Vitro Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Leaf Extract against Cutibacterium
acnes, Pharmaceutics, 15 September 2022, Vol 14 No 9, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9501556/
(accessed 27 April 2023).
[38]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[39]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[40]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[41]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[42]
F Dell’Annunziata, et al., In Vitro Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Leaf Extract against Cutibacterium
acnes, Pharmaceutics, 15 September 2022, Vol 14 No 9, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9501556/
(accessed 27 April 2023).
[43]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[44]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[45]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[46]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[47]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[48]
P. Cybulska, et al., Extracts of Canadian first nations medicinal plants, used
as natural products, inhibit Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates with different
antibiotic resistance profiles, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, July 2011, Vol
38 No 7, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21301385/ (accessed 28 April 2023).
[49]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[50]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[51]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[52]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[53]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[54]
Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 298-99.
[55]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[56]
Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 298-99.
[57]
F. Dell’Annunziata, et al., In Vitro Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Leaf Extract against Cutibacterium
acnes, Pharmaceutics, 15 September 2022, Vol 14 No 9, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9501556/
(accessed 27 April 2023).
[58]
I. Parejo, et al., A single extraction step in the quantitative analysis of
arbutin in bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) leaves by high-performance
liquid chromatography, Phytochemical Analysis, September-October 2001, Vol 12
No 5, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11705262/ (accessed 27 April 2023).
[59]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[60]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[61]
Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 276.
[62]
M. Shimizu, et al., Marked potentiation of activity of beta-lactams against
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by corilagin, Antimicrobial Agents and
Chemotherapy, November 2001, Vol 45 No 11, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC90804/
(accessed 28 April 2023).
[63]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[64]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
[65]
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 250-51.
[66]
Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 90-91.
