Bearberry: medicinal properties and uses of the plant

Bearberry is a medicinal plant with a pronounced diuretic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect on the urinary tract, but with important restrictions on dosage, duration of administration and a number of contraindications. Bearberry can only be used in courses, as part of phytotherapy and in agreement with a doctor, especially in chronic diseases, during pregnancy and in childhood.

Fenugreek leaves 50 g

What is bearberry?

Name, popular names

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a medicinal plant from the heather family, which is popularly called “bear ears” or “bear grapes” because of the small, dense leaves and berries that, according to legend, bears like to feast on. In herbal medicine, bearberry leaves are used, and in pharmacopoeial sources, the raw material is designated as Uvae ursi folium or “bearberry leaf”.

Where it grows, botanical description

Bearberry is common in the northern and temperate latitudes of Europe, Asia and North America, prefers dry, sandy and coniferous forests, as well as stony slopes. This is a low creeping shrub with small leathery leaves of dark green color and red berries, and only leaves harvested in certain seasons are used for medicinal purposes.

Chemical composition and active substances

The pharmacological activity of the plant is primarily due to the glycoside arbutin, as well as to the high content of tannins, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. This composition explains the diuretic, antiseptic and astringent effect of bearberry leaf, used as a herbal diuretic herbal medicine.

Main compounds: arbutin, tannins, etc.

Arbutin, when metabolized in the body, is broken down into hydroquinone, which provides an antiseptic effect in the urinary tract with an alkaline reaction of urine. Tannins cause an astringent, slightly bitter taste of raw materials and have a local anti-inflammatory and moderate antimicrobial effect on the mucous membranes.

How exactly they work

The diuretic effect of bearberry is associated with a moderate increase in diuresis and the excretion of excess fluid and salts, which is important in inflammatory processes in the urinary tract. The antiseptic effect is realized by the release of active hydroquinone from arbutin in alkaline urine, which helps to reduce the bacterial load in the bladder and urethra.

Useful properties of bearberry

The medicinal properties of bearberry include diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and saluretic effects, which makes the plant in demand in the complex therapy of urinary tract diseases. At the same time, the use of bearberry should always take into account the possible toxic potential of hydroquinone in excess doses and long-term administration.

Diuretic and cleansing effect

Bearberry belongs to herbal preparations with a diuretic effect and gently increases the formation of urine, promoting the excretion of fluid and salts. Thanks to this, a diuretic herbal medicine based on bearberry leaf is used as an auxiliary component in inflammatory processes of the urinary tract, when a “lavage” effect is needed.

Fenugreek leaves 2 g

Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic

The medicinal properties of bearberry are manifested in reducing the severity of inflammation and inhibiting the growth of microbes in the bladder and urinary tract due to arbutin and phenolic compounds. The antiseptic plant urinary tract helps reduce the symptoms of burning, painful urination and frequent urging, but is used mainly as an adjunct to the main therapy.

Kidney and urinary tract support

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi use has traditionally been associated with acute and subacute inflammatory conditions of the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. The reasonable use of bearberry can alleviate the course of mild inflammatory processes, but does not replace antibacterial drugs prescribed by a doctor for serious infections.

Additional effects: swelling, gastrointestinal tract, etc.

Due to its diuretic effect, bearberry is sometimes used for mild edema associated with fluid retention, but only after serious cardiac and renal causes have been excluded. The high content of tannins gives the decoction an astringent effect, but due to possible irritation of the mucous membranes and the risk of side effects, bearberry for the gastrointestinal tract is used extremely carefully and is not a first-line drug.

Application and forms: how to use

In practice, the use of bearberry is most often implemented in the form of a decoction, infusion or herbal tea from the leaves, less often in the form of ready-made capsules and liquid extracts. Specific schemes for how to use bearberry depend on the dosage form and the age of the patient and must comply with the official instructions for the drug.

Infusion, decoction, leaf tea

The classic pharmacy form is crushed raw materials or leaf filter bags, from which a decoction or infusion is prepared for ingestion. Medical and pharmacopoeial sources also describe infusions and liquid extracts of Uvae ursi folium used in short courses for symptoms of mild urinary tract infections.

Dosages and features of use

According to the instructions, 1 tablespoon of the leaf is poured with 200 ml of hot boiled water, heated in a water bath for 30 minutes, then filtered and brought to 200 ml; Adults and adolescents from the age of 16 are recommended to take 1 tablespoon 5-6 times a day in a warm form 40 minutes after meals. For children, a more diluted decoction is prepared (1 teaspoon of raw materials per 100 ml of water) and used in age doses from 5 years, strictly as prescribed by a doctor.

Practical recommendations: how to cook, when it is better to use

It is important to fully comply with the cooking technology: keep the decoction in a water bath, carefully filter and shake before taking to avoid fluctuations in the concentration of active substances. The finished infusion or decoction should be stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days, and taken 40 minutes after meals, which reduces the risk of stomach irritation.

To whom and for what conditions is recommended

Bearberry leaf for cystitis and other inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract is used only as part of complex therapy. The medicinal properties of bearberry can relieve symptoms, but the need for antibacterial treatment and examination is determined by the doctor.

Health conditions (cystitis, urethritis, kidneys)

Official indications for use include inflammatory diseases of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract (pyelitis, cystitis, urethritis), as well as some forms of renal failure with impaired water-salt metabolism as a component of complex treatment. At the first symptoms of infection (pain, burning, blood in the urine, fever), self-medication is unacceptable, it is necessary to consult a doctor and consider the use of bearberry only after consultation.

Additional Cases/Auxiliary Applications

In a number of traditional regimens, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is considered for use in case of a tendency to urinary stones, mild edema and frequent recurrences of uncomplicated cystitis, but always within the framework of time-limited courses. Any attempts at prophylactic long-term administration, especially without control of tests and acid-base state of urine, increase the risk of side effects and are considered unsafe.

Contraindications and precautions

Contraindications: pregnancy, children, chronic diseases

The plant is contraindicated during pregnancy, since there is evidence of the risk of stimulating the contractile activity of the uterus and the threat of miscarriage. It is not recommended to take bearberry preparations for young children; Officially, the leaf is used in children over 5 years old only on the prescription of a doctor, and many international recommendations do not recommend Uva ursi at all until the age of 12-18 years.

In chronic liver diseases, severe kidney pathology, peptic ulcer, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in arterial hypertension and a number of other conditions, bearberry may not be safe. It is important to discuss the presence of any chronic diagnoses with your doctor beforehand to assess the risk-benefit ratio of the plant.

Drug interactions and possible harms

It is indicated that Uvae ursi folium should not be combined with drugs and products that acidify the urine, since in an acidic environment the activity of arbutin is reduced. In addition, potentially adverse interactions with lithium drugs, some antihypertensive drugs, NSAIDs, corticosteroids and iron supplements have been described, so concomitant use requires medical supervision.

Possible adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, change in the color of urine to green-brown, allergic reactions (rash, itching, flushing, swelling of the skin). In case of overdose, impaired renal function, pronounced gastrointestinal discomfort and even the risk of severe complications are described; In case of side effects, you should immediately stop taking it and consult a doctor.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can you drink bearberry tea daily?

No, bearberry is taken only in courses, usually up to 1-2 weeks, then take a break due to the risk of toxic effects on the liver and kidneys.

Are there any age restrictions?

Standard forms are used from the age of 5 and only as prescribed by a doctor; Bearberry is not used for children younger.

How to distinguish high-quality raw materials?

A high-quality bearberry leaf is whole or crushed leaves of green shades without an extraneous odor, with a pronounced astringent bitter taste.

How long can I take it without a break?

Usually the course lasts no more than 1-2 weeks, long-term use without medical supervision is not recommended.

Does bearberry replace medications?

No, bearberry does not replace antibiotics and other medicines for urinary tract infections, but is used only as an adjuvant.

Conclusion and recommendations

Bearberry has a noticeable diuretic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect on the urinary system, which makes it a valuable, but rather “tough” phytopreparation. To reap the benefits and reduce the risk of complications, it is important to follow the recommended dosages, limit the duration of the courses, take into account bearberry contraindications and always coordinate the use with a doctor, especially during pregnancy, in children and with chronic diseases.

Literature:

1. European Medicines Agency (EMA). “Assessment report on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., folium.” (https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-arctostaphylos-uva-ursi-l-spreng-folium-revision-2_en.pdf)
2. Risk Assessment of Free Hydroquinone Derived from Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi folium Herbal Preparations (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1091581813507721)
3. European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP). Uvae ursi folium (Bearberry Leaf) – herbal monograph. (https://www.escop.com/downloads/bearberry-leaf/)

Author: Natalia Kandybey, Ph.D. in Pharmacy, Quality Director of the Viola Pharmaceutical Factory

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