Bearberry: Benefits, Uses and Precautions

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Bearberry is an evergreen shrub whose leaves are used in herbal medicine. Reference books describe arbutin, methylarbutin, tannins, and other compounds. The leaves are used in the form of infusions and decoctions as a diuretic and antiseptic, primarily for bladder and urinary tract conditions.

What is this plant and how to identify it?

Bearberry (*Arctostaphylos uva-ursi*) is a small evergreen shrub from the heather family. It is also commonly known as kinnikinnick or bear grape.

The plant has heavily branched stems that spread along the ground. They are covered with dark brown bark and can reach 100–120 cm in length. The leaves are located on short petioles. They are leathery, dense, shiny, obovate, with entire margins. The leaves do not fall off in winter.

The flowers are small and pink. They are located at the ends of the branches and are gathered in short drooping racemes. The corolla has a pitcher shape. Bearberry blooms in May–June. The fruits ripen in September. They are round, red, and mealy inside.

The plant grows in pine forests. Reference books specifically mention pine forests with white moss and cowberry patches. In suitable places, bearberry can form thickets.

When harvesting, it is important to identify the plant correctly. Bearberry looks like lingonberry, which often grows nearby. Lingonberry has an upright stem. Its leaves are oval, with curled edges, and dark dotted formations are visible on the underside. The lingonberry berry is juicy inside, whereas the bearberry fruit has a mealy pulp.

According to herbal medicine reference books, the leaves—*Folium Uvae-ursi*—are used for medical purposes. They are the plant's medicinal raw material.

How to distinguish bearberry from similar plants?

When collecting wild raw materials, it is important not only to know the general appearance of the plant but also to pay attention to the features of the leaves. Reference books specifically note that bearberry leaves should not be mixed with the leaves of blueberries, lingonberries, and boxwood.

Blueberry leaves are distinguished by the fact that they are thin and membranous. On the underside, they are matte, blue-green, with convex reticulate veins.

Lingonberry most often causes confusion with bearberry, as both plants can be found in the same places. Lingonberry leaves have brown dotted glands and rare short hairs on the underside. The edges of the leaves are curled, sometimes they are finely serrated or slightly saw-toothed. In bearberry, the leaves are narrower at the petiole, and their veins are strongly depressed, which makes the surface look wrinkled.

Boxwood also has differences: its leaves are narrowed towards the top, the apex has a notch, and the veins on the upper side are convex. In addition, an unpleasant odor and an unpleasant bittersweet taste of the leaves are described for boxwood.

Such differences have practical significance, as it is the leaves that are the medicinal raw material and must be correctly identified before use.

Why are bearberry leaves valuable?

The main focus in reference books is on the chemical composition of the leaves. They contain arbutin and methylarbutin, tannins, flavonoids, and organic acids.

One description lists gallic acid, tannins, fat, wax, resin, and mineral salts. Among the glycosides, arbutin, methylarbutin, and ericolin are named. The presence of urson is also described.

Another reference book points to arbutin, methylarbutin, hyperoside, pyrogallol tannins, ellagic and other organic acids. A more detailed pharmacological description also lists flavonoids, including quercetin, isoquercitrin, myricitrin, hyperoside, and myricetin.

Arbutin occupies a special place in the description of the plant's action. According to reference books, it breaks down to form hydroquinone and glucose. Methylarbutin is also capable of releasing hydroquinone upon hydrolysis.

Reference books associate the antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of the leaves with these substances. Tannins are associated with anti-inflammatory action. According to herbal medicine reference books, galenical preparations of bearberry have diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, the main direction of the plant's use is related to the urinary system.

Which substances determine the properties of the leaves?

The amount of individual components in different reference books is given with some differences. One description indicates an arbutin content of up to 3.5%, another — up to 8%. The presence of up to 35% pyrogallol tannins is also noted.

The composition of the leaves includes organic acids, among which malic, protocatechuic, and formic acids are named. Among the flavonoids, quercetin, isoquercitrin, myricitrin, hyperoside, and myricetin are additionally mentioned.

The action of the plant in reference books is primarily associated with arbutin and tannins. Under the influence of the enzyme arbutase, arbutin breaks down into hydroquinone and glucose, and methylarbutin also releases hydroquinone during hydrolysis.

What is bearberry used for?

Herbal books describe the use of bearberry leaves for diseases of the bladder and urinary tract. The urethra and urolithiasis are also mentioned.

In one of the reference books, the leaves are prescribed as an astringent, antiseptic, and diuretic for bladder catarrh and kidney bleeding. In another description, decoctions and herbal blends are used as a diuretic and disinfectant for inflammatory diseases of the bladder and urinary tract.

Among such conditions, the reference book names pyelitis, cystitis, and urethritis. In certain folk herbal medicine recipes, bearberry is included in aqueous decoctions that were used for kidney or bladder diseases.

There is also a broader traditional use. Reference books mention the use of leaves as a diuretic for kidney stones, rheumatism, and gout. However, such descriptions refer to reference and traditional herbal medicine and do not replace the diagnosis of the cause of the complaints.

The urinary system occupies the main place in the description of the plant. It is with this system that the diuretic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory actions described in the reference books are associated.

How are bearberry leaves used?

Herbal medicine reference books describe infusions and decoctions from the leaves. The decoction is mentioned especially often.

One of the methods provided has an exact proportion: a decoction or infusion in a ratio of 10:200. In another source, this same proportion is indicated as 10 g of raw material per 200 ml of water. Take 1 tablespoon 3–4 times a day.

An old reference book also notes that it is preferable to use the leaves in the form of a decoction. At the same time, it is specifically warned: too large doses can cause nausea and vomiting. Therefore, the amount of raw material should not be increased at your own discretion. In herbal medicine, not only the choice of plant is important, but also compliance with the specified form of preparation.

In folk recipes, bearberry was also included in aqueous blends. In such recipes, it was combined with other plants. For example, there are blends with lingonberry leaves, horsetail herb, and other components. However, the composition and purpose of such mixtures vary, so one recipe cannot be applied to all cases.

For simple use, two forms are well described in the reference books — infusion and decoction. It is these that should be considered as the main methods of preparing the leaves.

How to properly brew bearberry?

If a simple option is needed, the reference book provides a proportion of 10 g of leaves per 200 ml of water. Such an infusion or decoction is taken 1 tablespoon 3–4 times a day.

Another reference book also directly indicates: a decoction or infusion is prepared in a ratio of 10:200 and taken 1 tablespoon 3–4 times a day.

Do not make the drink more concentrated just because you want to enhance its effect. The medical description of the plant specifically warns about undesirable reactions at too high doses.

The leaves have a pronounced astringent, bitter taste. In reference books, this is associated with the tannins they contain.

When and how is bearberry harvested?

For medical purposes, bearberry leaves are collected. According to one reference book, they are harvested before or at the beginning of flowering — in May and the first half of June.

Another source describes two harvesting periods: overwintered leaves are collected before flowering, and then harvesting is possible in August, when the current year's leaves grow. Therefore, both indications for timing are found in reference literature: May and the first half of June, as well as August for subsequent harvesting.

When collecting, the branches are cut. Before drying, browned leaves are removed. The raw material is dried in the open air.

For small leathery leaves, a practical harvesting method is described: first, the plant branches are cut, then they are dried, after which the leaves are separated from the twigs. This is done by tearing off, combing the plant, or threshing, followed by the removal of stem parts. Final cleaning is carried out on a sieve.

Good dry raw material consists mainly of leaves. They are smooth, dense, and brittle. There is almost no smell. The taste is strongly astringent and bitter. When stored, the raw material is kept in a cool place protected from light.

Requirements for the quality of medicinal raw materials

Reference books provide requirements for the appearance and purity of the harvested raw material. The leaves must retain their green color, have a characteristic density, and not contain a large number of foreign parts.

Indicators for standardization are also described: the moisture content of the raw material should not exceed 12%, and the ash content — 4%. A limited amount of leaves that have lost their green color, small and crushed parts, as well as stem parts of the plant, is allowed.

Such requirements help to assess the quality of the raw material before use and distinguish correctly prepared leaves from material with a large number of impurities.

How to find bearberry abroad

Abroad, bearberry can be found under different names:

• USA: Bearberry, Uva ursi, Kinnikinnick.
• Germany: Bärentraube, Bärentraubenblätter.
• France: Raisin d'ours, Busserole.
• Latin: *Arctostaphylos uva-ursi*.

The plant is sold only in the form of leaves:

• dried crushed leaves;
• tea bags;
• capsules and tablets;
• liquid extract or tincture.

You can look for it in the following places:

• USA: health food stores, specialized supplement stores, and online herbal stores; it is rarely found in regular grocery stores.
• Germany: pharmacies (*Apotheke*), health food stores (*Reformhaus*), online pharmacies.
• France: pharmacies (*Pharmacie*), herbal stores (*herboristeries*), specialized organic and health food stores (*magasins bio*), online stores.

On the packaging, check the Latin name *Arctostaphylos uva-ursi* and the part of the plant — leaves (*Folia uvae ursi*). Also, pay attention to the purpose of the product, the arbutin content if such standardization is present, and organic certification.

In the USA, bearberry is sold as a dietary supplement, and in Germany, it is often sold as a registered medicinal tea (*Arzneitee*) with pharmaceutical quality control.

Bearberry: contraindications and precautions

In old reference books, the main warning is related to the amount of raw material. Too large doses of leaves can cause nausea and vomiting.

Modern reference descriptions also point to possible undesirable reactions with prolonged use. Among them are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. With prolonged exposure to the urinary system, an increase in inflammatory phenomena and the appearance of kidney symptoms may be observed.

The reason for such attention to prolonged use is related to the plant's composition. Arbutin breaks down to form hydroquinone. The reference book notes that hydroquinone is excreted in the urine through the kidneys and has an irritating effect on kidney tissue.

Therefore, uncontrolled long-term consumption of the leaves cannot be considered a safe approach. In reference herbal medicine, bearberry is usually described for long-term use in combination with other plants that have anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, in the form of blends and teas.

At the same time, any complaints from the urinary system require careful attention. The mere presence of the plant in old recipes does not mean that it should be used without establishing the cause of the symptoms.

If nausea, vomiting, diarrhea occur after use, or if unpleasant sensations from the urinary system intensify, use should be discontinued and medical help sought.

When is a doctor needed?

For diseases of the bladder, urinary tract, and kidneys, it is important to first establish the cause of the complaints. Herbal medicine does not replace examination and medical prescription. It is especially important to consult a doctor if symptoms are severe, prolonged, or worsening, or if new complaints appear or the condition deteriorates.

Consultation is also needed if an unusual reaction occurs after using the plant, if a person is constantly taking medications, or has a chronic disease. Separate caution is necessary in situations where the safety of a herbal remedy for a specific person must be established by a doctor.

If in doubt about using an infusion or decoction, it is better to discuss it with a specialist before starting.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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