The Bearberry Plant

( Western Herb )

LATIN NAME:

Arctostaphylos uva-urst

The Bearberry plant is also know as Bear’s Grape, Uva-ursi, Kinnikinnick, Mountain Box, Whortleberry, Mountain Cranberry and Mealberry.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Bearberry plant is a creeping evergreen shrub, with long rooting branches, that gradually spread to form a dense mat.

It has small, oval, leathery leaves that are dark green at the top of the leaf and pale green at the bottom.

It has clusters of tiny, white or pink, bell-shaped flowers that turn into small, shiny red fruits and is found in the rocky hillsides and mountain slopes throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

Native American tribes would mix fat with Bearberry leaves and use it as a salve for rashes, boils, burns, and skin sores. They would make it into a mouthwash and use it canker sores.

The berries were eaten to prevent scurvy and would mix the dry leaves with tobacco and smoke it. The berries were also very important for winter food for many tribes.

Modern use of the Bearberry plant is recommended for urinary tract infections, chronic cystitis, kidney and gallstones. Herbal practitioners recommend it for individuals who are resistant to conventional antibiotics.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* bladder and mild kidney infections

* kidney and gallstones

* gonorrhea

* minor vaginal infections

* reducing symptoms of cystitis

* strengthening the membranes of the urinary system

* diuretic

* gout

PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE:

Over the counter: Bearberry is available in liquid extract, medicinal tea, and tablets in health food stores.

Tablets: Take 2 (100 mg) tablets of the dried herb daily until symptoms are relieved.

Tincture: Take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

At home:

Infusion: Pour one cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried leaves and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink this three times a day.

Douche: Infuse 1 tablespoon of dried herh, strain and apply.

Parts used: Leaves

Collection: This evergreen shrub’s leaves can be collected throughout the year, but preferably in spring and summer.

Constituents: Flavonoids, tannins, organic acids, arbutin, resin, glycoside

Actions: Astringent, antiseptic, diuretic,

Combinations: Bearberry can be combined with Yarrow and Couchgrass for urinary infections.

SIDE EFFECTS:

Not serious:

* Nausea and vomiting may occur in sensitive adults and children.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

* The Bearberry plant should not be used by pregnant women, children, and individuals with kidney disease.

* Preparations should only be used for short time periods; not more than a week.