Bearberry  

(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi; ERICACEAE)

Common names:

Uva ursi, bearberry, upland cranberry, universe vine, mountain cranberry, mountain box, wild cranberry, bear’s grape, kinnikinnick, mealberry, sagackhomi; arbutus uva-ursi, fox berry, barren myrtle, Uvae Ursi Folia (Br.); Bousserole, Raisin d’Ours (Fr.); Baerentrauben blaetter (Ger.), Coralillo (Mel.).

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi) was used by Welsh and German physicians as early as the thirteenth century and it appeared as a recommended herb in the London Pharmacopoeia in 1788. The usual form of using the herb was as an infusion of one ounce of the leaves to a pint of boiling water. It was valued as a treatment of diseases of the bladder and kidneys, particularly where the urinary tract is inflamed. It’s effect is soothing as well as astringent. The Russian Pharmacopoeia mentions the herb as useful as an antiseptic and diuretic especially for female complaints and kidney and bladder disorders. It is also used for the same purposes in veterinary practice.

Therapeutic action:

Diuretic (antilithic, lithotriptic), astringent, soothing tonic, mucilage, nephritic, antiseptic, disinfectant. In larger doses, emetic, purgative, parturient.

Uva ursi has a specific healing action upon the genito-urinary organs, especially in cases of gravel or ulceration of the kidneys or bladder. It is of great value in these kidney and bladder problems, where it soothes, strengthens and tones the mucous membranes of the urinary passages. It is a solvent to urinic calculii deposits. Uva ursi stimulates kidney activity, and it has a slight antiseptic effect on the mucous membranes. The leaves are powerfully astringent (due to 6-8% tannin acid composition), and have been used as such as early as the 13th century (according to old herbal works, wherein it was known by the name of “arbutus”).

Medicinal uses:

Catarrh of the bladder, leucorrhea, gonorrhea, gleet, backache, kidney and bladder congestion or ulceration, enuresis, prostate weakness, urethritis, cystitis, gravel, chronic nephritis, incontinence of urine, dysuria, strangury uterine hemorrhage, syphilis, rheumatism, anemia, chronic diarrhea, menorrhagia, urinary calculii, bronchitis, cardiac dropsy, diabetes, Bright’s disease, dysentery,

piles, hemorrhoids, pussy and bloody discharges, uterine ulceration, female problems.