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    Home»Herbs and Spices»11 Health benefits of Bearberry (Uva ursi)
    Herbs and Spices

    11 Health benefits of Bearberry (Uva ursi)

    By SylviaJuly 9, 2017Updated:September 14, 2017No Comments11 Mins Read
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    11 Health benefits of Bearberry (Uva ursi)

    Arctostaphylos uva-ursi also known as Bearberry, Arberry, Arbutus, Bear’s Berry, Bear’s Grape, Carillo, Chipmunk’s Apples, Coralillo, Crowberry, Foxberry, Hogberry, Kinnikinnick, Manzanita, Mealberry, Mountain Box, Mountain Cranberry, Mountain Tobacco, Pinemat Manzanita, Red Bearberry, Rockberry, Sandberry, Sagackhomi, Sagakomi, Upland Cranberry, Uva-Ursi, Whortleberry, is an extremely winter hardy, creeping, slow-growing, prostrate, woody evergreen shrub that typically grows to 2 to 8 inches in height and few meters in length. It is a circumpolar ground-hugger native to the northern part of North America, Europe and Asia. In North America, it is typically found in a variety of locations from Alaska to Newfoundland south through Canada to Virginia, Illinois, South Dakota, New Mexico and central California in a variety of habitats. It is primarily confined to cool alpine regions in the more southern parts of its growing range.

    Genus name comes from the Greek words arctos meaning bear and staphyle meaning bunch of grapes in reference to the fruits (often in grape-like clusters) which are commonly eaten by bears.

    Plant Description

    Bearberry (Uva ursi) is an extremely winter hardy, creeping, slow-growing, prostrate, woody evergreen groundcover shrub and flourishes in alpine forests in many regions, including North America, Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, Siberia, and the Himalayas. It grows gradually but succeeds in places where other plants cannot, such as the walls of canyons. Mostly it prefers grassland, mountain summits and plateaus, ridges or ledges, sand plains and barrens and requires an acidic, dry to medium, well-drained, sandy or gritty soils. Stem is creeping and is covered with papery bark with silky hairs. Finely textured velvety branches are initially white to pale green, becoming smooth and red-brown with maturity.

    Leaves

    Leaves are of a leathery texture, from 1/2 inch to an inch long, like a spatula in form, being rounded at the apex and tapering gradually towards the base to a very short stalk or petiole. The margin is entire and slightly rolled back and the young leaves fringed with short hairs. Upper surface of the leaf is dark, shining green, the veins deeply impressed, the lower side is of a paler green, with the veins prominent and forming a coarse network. The leaves have no distinctive odor, but they have a very astringent and somewhat bitter taste.

    Flower

    Bearberry produces pale pink or white flowers arranged in terminal clusters composed of 3 to 15 flowers. Individual flowers are bell-shaped, composed of petals that are curled on the tips. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (bisexual) and bloom in April to May.

    Fruit

    Fruit of bearberry is red, berry-like drupe. Fruit is fleshy and filled with 1 to 5 stony seed. Drupes are green in summer ripening to red in fall, sometimes remaining on the plants throughout winter. Drupes are bittersweet raw off the plant, but sweeter when first boiled. Bears are said to be fond of the shiny, bright red or pink fruit, which is edible but tastes sour. Fruits are technically edible for humans, but are generally considered to be mealy and lacking flavor. On the plus side, bears, birds and small mammals love the fruits.

    Bearberry Image Gallery
    Bearberries-on-the-plant Bearberries-on-the-plant
    Bearberry Bearberry
    Bearberry-buds Bearberry-buds

    Bearberry-bushes Bearberry-bushes
    Bearberry-Flower Bearberry-Flower
    Bearberry-fruit Bearberry-fruit

    Bearberry-Leaf Bearberry-Leaf
    Bearberry-Seeds Bearberry-Seeds
    Dried-bearberry-leaves Dried-bearberry-leaves

    Small-Bearberry-plant Small-Bearberry-plant
    Unripe-bearberry-fruit Unripe-bearberry-fruit
    Bearberry-Plant-Illustrations Bearberry-Plant-Illustrations

    Health Benefits of Bearberry

    Bearberry fruit is edible and is occasionally used as food, the leaves of the plant are extensively used for medicinal purposes by herbal practitioners. Go through this post to know more about the health and  benefits of bearberries.

    1. Protect the Immune System

    Bearberries consist of good amount of hydroquines, and these act as powerful antibacterial agents that can keep a wide range of your systems healthy. By removing harmful agents and foreign substances, bearberries can protect your gut to your skin, acting as a full-body line of defense against bacteria!(1)

    2. Headaches

    This is one of the more debated health benefits of bearberry, but it has been used for hundreds of years as a headache reliever. To achieve this particular benefit, you have to smoke the dried leaves of the bearberry shrub, which produces a similar effect as the more widely known cannabis plants. This narcotic use is looked down upon in many circles, but it has been shown to be an effective headache remedy.(2)

    3. Speeds Healing

    An ointment can be made from the fruits of the bearberry to form a topical application. It can be applied directly to the burns, wounds, bruises, or areas of inflammation. The acids of this unique fruit can help to speed the healing process in the skin, while also reducing inflammation and eliminating pain.(3)

    4. Pregnancy Aid

    Some of the active components of bearberry have been directly related to avoid miscarriages and ensuring the safety of the mother during the pregnancy. Additionally, after the baby is delivered, there is often a major pain and inflammation. Consuming bearberries has been traditionally used to promote a healthy recovery of the mother and to eliminate some of the pain and discomfort.

    5. Remedy for kidney stones

    Bearberry is quite effective in preventing the formation of kidney stones. Regular use of this herb helps to soften the kidney stones which further helps in breaking down the large stones into small parts. As the size of the stones reduces, it becomes easier for them to pass through the urine. Apart from that Bearberry has natural diuretic properties, which increases urination and helps in flushing out the stones.

    6. Detoxify the Body

    Bearberry is traditionally used as a natural diuretic. This helps people release the toxins from their body at a rapid rate, cleansing the bladder and kidneys. This helps to eliminate excess salts, fats, water, and toxic materials from your body, helping all of your systems work better.(4)

    7. Protect the Stomach

    There is a wide variety of gastrointestinal problems, and preventing those illnesses is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They can destroy the natural balance of helpful bacteria in our gut. Bearberries are known to prevent the activity of E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, and a number of Staphylococcus strains of bacteria, helping many of our systems stave off these common infections.(5)

    8. Urinary tract infections

    Bearberry is considered to be one of the best medications for dealing with infections in the urinary tract. It contains chemicals such as hydroquinone and hydroquinone derivatives, which are useful for treating infections like urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) and nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys).

    9. Weight loss

    Bearberry has diuretic effects which help in encouraging more urine flow, thus decreasing water retention and bloating in the body. This property makes bearberry beneficial for those who are trying to lose weight.

    10. Treats Diarrhea

    Higher amount of tannin present in Bearberries are great for the treatment of diarrhea. In fact, this fruit is well-known for being highly effective in treating problems that are related with the digestive tract. Since it is rich in tannins, it has powerful astringent properties which in turn are useful for problems that affect this part of the body.

    11. Alleviates Arthritis Symptoms

    Bearberry is also quite beneficial for people suffering from arthritis. If you apply this calcium and Omega rich extract on aching arthritic joints, it will ease the discomfort and strengthen your joints as well.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jprp9MOA88A

    History

    Bearberry was first documented in The Physicians of Myddfai, a 13th-century Welsh herbal. It was also described by Clusius in 1601, and recommended for medicinal use in 1763 by Gerhard and others. Often called uva-ursi, from the Latin uva, “grape, berry of the vine”, ursi, “bear”, i.e. “bear’s grape”. It first appeared in the London Pharmacopoeia in 1788. But now it is grown throughout the world because of its wonderful appearance and delightful taste.

    Types

    Few varieties of bearberry is mentioned below

    1. Alpine bearberry

    It is a procumbent shrub 10–30 cm high (3.9–11.8 in). Leaves are not winter green, but dead leaves persist on stems for several years. Berries are dark purple to black.

    2. Red bearberry

    It is a procumbent shrub 10–30 cm high (3.9–11.8 in). Leaves are deciduous, falling in autumn to leave bare stems. Berries are red. Distribution: in the mountains of Sichuan, southwestern China north and east to eastern Siberia, Alaska and northern Canada east to northern Quebec.

    3. Common bearberry: It is a slow-growing, woody evergreen shrub 2 to 8 inches in height. Leaves are of a leathery texture, from 1/2 inch to an inch long, like a spatula in form, being rounded at the apex.

    Traditional uses and benefits of Bearberry

    • It is considered one of the best natural urinary antiseptics.
    • Leaves contain hydroquinones and are strongly antibacterial, especially against certain organisms associated with urinary infection.
    • Dried leaves are used in the treatment of a variety of complaints.
    • Tea made from the dried leaves is much used for kidney and bladder complaints and inflammations of the urinary tract such as acute and chronic cystitis and urethritis, but it should be used with caution and preferably only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
    • Tea is more effective if the urine is alkaline, thus it is best used in combination with a vegetable-based diet.
    • Externally, poultice of the infused leaves with oil has been used as a salve to treat rashes, skin sores etc., and as a wash for a baby’s head.
    • An infusion of the leaves is used as eyewash, a mouthwash for cankers and sore gums and as a poultice for back pains, rheumatism, burns etc.
    • Leaves were smoked to treat headaches and also as a narcotic.
    • North American Indian tribes used an infusion of the stems, combined with blueberry stems to prevent miscarriage without causing harm to the baby, and to speed a woman’s recovery after the birth.
    • It strengthens the heart muscle and urinary tract and help to return the womb to its normal size after childbirth.
    • Bearberry, when combined with dandelion root and leaf, helped prevent recurrent UTIs.
    • Tea made of tree bark is used to accelerate recovery after the childbirth.
    • Tea made from the roots can be drunk to treat a persistent cough.
    • Leaves are also used traditionally to treat pain in kidney.

    Culinary Uses

    • It becomes sweeter when cooked.
    • Added to stews etc., it is a good source of carbohydrates.
    • Fruit can also be used to make a cooling drink or used for preserves etc.
    • It can be dried and stored for later use.
    • Tea is made from the dried leaves.
    • Bearberries can be used in human diet for the preparation of jellies, jams and sauces.

    Other Facts

    • Dried leaves have been used for smoking as an alternative to tobacco.
    • Yellowish-brown dye is obtained from the leaves.
    • Grey-brown dye is obtained from the fruit.
    • Dried fruits are used in rattles and as beads on necklaces etc.
    • Leaves are a good source of tannin.
    • Mashed berries can be rubbed on the insides of coiled cedar root baskets in order to waterproof them.
    • It is a good ground-cover for steep sandy banks in a sunny position or in light shade.
    • A carpeting plant, growing fairly fast and carpeting as it spreads.
    • It is valuable for checking soil erosion on watersheds.
    • This is also a pioneer plant in the wild, often being the first plant to colonize burnt-over areas, especially on poor soils.
    • Plant helps to control soil erosion on slopes and hillsides.

    Precautions

    • You should only take bearberry for short periods, no longer than 5 days, under a health care provider’s supervision.
    • You should not take a series of doses of bearberry more than 5 times in 1 year.
    • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and people with high blood pressure, should not take bearberry.
    • People who have Crohn disease, digestive problems, kidney or liver disease, or ulcers should not take bearberry.
    • It is relatively safe, when consumed in large doses may cause nausea, green urine, bluish-grey skin, vomiting, fever, chills, severe back pain, ringing in the ears.
    • It can reduce the effectiveness of digestive enzymes.
    • Do not take iron along with the herb.
    • It may worsen gastro esophageal reflux disease.
    • Longer duration use can cause chronic liver impairment.
    • Do not use if suffering from kidney or liver disorders.
    • Do not take in chronic kidney diseases, peptic ulcers, and duodenal ulcers.
    • Its use is not recommended in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

    References:

    http://www.gbif.org/species/118181982/synonyms

    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ARUV

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=23530#null

    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=3866

    http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64442/

    http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Arctostaphylos+uva-ursi

    http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=j380

    http://www.floracatalana.net/arctostaphylos-uva-ursi-l-spreng

    http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/uva-ursi

    https://www.drugs.com/npc/uva-ursi.html

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearberry

    http://plantwatch.naturealberta.ca/choose-your-plants/common-bearberry-information/

    http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/bear_berry.htm

    http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/bearbe22.html

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphylos_uva-ursi

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    Bearberry Facts

    Bearberry(Uva ursi) Quick Facts
    Name: Bearberry(Uva ursi)
    Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
    Origin Northern parts of North America, Europe and Asia.
    Colors Green when young turning to red to pink as mature
    Shapes Rounded, smooth, fleshy or mealy, berry-like fruits about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter that resembles a tiny apple.
    Flesh colors Dry, floury, tasteless
    Taste Berry: Tasteless Leaves: Astringent and somewhat bitter taste
    Health benefits Protect the Immune System & prevents Urinary tract infections
    Name Bearberry
    Scientific Name Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
    Origin Northern parts of North America, Europe and Asia
    Common Names Arberry, Arbutus, Bearberry, Bear’s Berry, Bear’s Grape, Carillo, Chipmunk’s Apples, Coralillo, Crowberry, Foxberry, Hogberry, Kinnikinnick, Manzanita, Mealberry, Mountain Box, Mountain Cranberry, Mountain Tobacco, Pinemat Manzanita, Red Bearberry, Rockberry, Sandberry, Sagackhomi, Sagakomi, Upland Cranberry, Uva-Ursi, Whortleberry
    Name in Other Languages Catalan: Boixerola
    Chipewyan: Délhni
    Cree: Muskominanatik
    Danish: Hede-melbærris
    Dutch: Berendruif,
    English: Bear-grape, bearberry, hog-cranberry, kinnikinnick, meal berry, mountain-box, sand berry, upland-cranberry, uva-ursi, common bearberry, kinnikinnick, mealberry, red bearberry, bearberry Manzanita, hog berry, Kinnikinick, mountain cranberry, pinemat Manzanita, rockberry, Upland-Cranberry
    Finnish: Sianpuolukka
    French: Arbousier busderole, bousserole, raisin d’ours, arctostaphyle raisin-d’ours, busserole, raisin d’ours commun, Busserole à feuilles épaisses, sac à commis
    German: Bärentraube, Echte Bärentraube, Immergrüne Bärentraube
    Italian: Orsella, Uva ursina
    Norwegian: Melbær, mjølbær
    Romanian: Strugurii ursului
    Slave: Netene
    Spanish: Gayuba, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, galluba, Uva de oso
    Swedish: Mjölon, sianpuolukka
    Unani: Inbud-dub, Angur-e-khiras, Rechh Dakh
    Plant Growth Habit Extremely winter hardy, creeping, slow-growing, prostrate, woody evergreen groundcover shrub
    Growing Climate Prefers grassland, mountain summits and plateaus, ridges or ledges, sand plains and barrens
    Soil Requires an acidic, dry to medium, well-drained, sandy or gritty soils
    Plant Size 2 to 8 inches in height and few meters in length.
    Branches Finely textured velvety branches are initially white to pale green, becoming smooth and red-brown with maturity.
    Stem Stem is creeping and is covered with papery bark with silky hairs.
    Leaf Simple leaves of this broadleaf evergreen are alternately arranged on branches. Each leaf is held by a twisted leaf stalk, vertically. The leathery dark green leaves are an inch long and have rounded tips tapering back to the base. In fall, the leaves begin changing from a dark green to a reddish-green to purple.
    Flower Pale pink or white flowers arranged in terminal clusters composed of 3 to 15 flowers. Individual flowers are bell-shaped, composed of petals that are curled on the tips. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (bisexual).
    Flowering Season April to May
    Fruit Shape & Size Rounded, smooth, fleshy or mealy, berry-like fruits about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter that resembles a tiny apple.
    Fruit Color Green when young turning to red to pink as mature
    Flesh Color Dry, floury, tasteless
    Fruit Skin Smooth, glossy skin
    Taste Berry: Tasteless
    Leaves: Astringent and somewhat bitter taste
    Seed ½ inch long 5 nutlets (seeds) in one fruit
    Plant Parts Used Leaves
    Season August-September
    Varieties/Types
    • Alpine bearberry
    • Red bearberry
    • Common bearberry
    Health Benefits
    • Protect the Immune System
    • Headaches
    • Speeds Healing
    • Pregnancy Aid
    • Remedy for kidney stones
    • Detoxify the Body
    • Protect the Stomach
    • Urinary tract infections
    • Weight loss
    • Treats Diarrhea
    • Alleviates Arthritis Symptoms

    Bearberry Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name:Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Superdivision Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
    Subclass Dilleniidae
    Order Ericales
    Family Ericaceae (Heath family)
    Genus Arctostaphylos Adans. (Manzanita)
    Species Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. (kinnikinnick)
    Synonyms
    • Arbutus acerba Gilib.
    • Arbutus buxifolia Stokes
    • Arbutus officinalis Boiss.
    • Arbutus procumbens Salisb.
    • Arbutus uva-ursi L.
    • Arctostaphylos adenotricha (Fernald & J.F.Macbr.) Á.Löve, D.Löve & B.M.Kapoor
    • Arctostaphylos angustifolia Payot
    • Arctostaphylos officinalis Wimm. & Grab.
    • Arctostaphylos procumbens Patze, E.Mey. & Elkan
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi f. adenotricha (Fernald & J.F.Macbr.) P.V.Wells
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi f. coactilis (Fernald & J.F.Macbr.) P.V.Wells
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi f. heterochroma Fernald
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi f. leobreweri (Roof) P.V.Wells
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi f. longipilosa (Packer & Denford) P.V.Wells
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi f. marinensis (Roof) P.V.Wells
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi f. stipitata (Packer & Denford) P.V.Wells
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi f. suborbiculata (W.Knight) P.V.Wells
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi f. uva-ursi
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. adenotricha (Fernald & J.F.Macbr.) Calder & Roy L.Taylor
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. coactilis (Fernald & J.F.Macbr.) Á.Löve, D.Löve & B.M.Kapoor
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. crassifolius (Braun-Blanq.) Rivas Mart. ex Torre, Alcaraz & M.B.Crespo
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. longipilosa Packer & Denford
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. monoensis Roof
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. stipitata Packer & Denford
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. adenotricha Fernald & J.F.Macbr.
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. coactilis Fernald & J.F.Macbr.
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. fendleriana (Klotzsch) Eastw.
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. leobreweri Roof
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. marinensis Roof
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. pacifica Hultén
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. saxicola Roof
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. stipitata (Packer & Denford) Dorn
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. suborbiculata W.Knight
    • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. uva-ursi
    • Daphnidostaphylis fendleri Klotzsch
    • Daphnidostaphylis fendleriana Klotzsch
    • Mairrania uva-ursi (L.) Desv.
    • Uva-ursi buxifolia (Stokes) Gray
    • Uva-ursi procumbens Moench
    • Uva-ursi procumbens var. adenotricha (Fernald & J.F. Macbr.) D. Löve
    • Uva-ursi procumbens var. coactilis (Fernald & J.F. Macbr.) Moldenke
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