Bearberry is a small shrub that has an irregular stems and evergreen leaves. Bearberry can found in the Northern hemisphere throughout Europe, Asia and America.
Bearberry has been used traditionally in Europe as a bladder treatment usually in the form of a tea. In America Native American tribes have used the stems as a way to prevent miscarriage as well as help recovery following the birth of a child.
Traditional uses have also suggested it could be effective for the treatment of a backache, rheumatoid arthritis, and arthritis.
Parts of the plant used
Leaves, stem, and berries
Other names for this plant include
– Uva ursi
– upland cranberry
– kinnikinnick
– foxberry
MEDICINAL USES
Anti-bacterial and bladder health
– Arbutin, a natural glycoside has diuretic properties (i.e. promotes urination)
– Promotes emptying of the bladder
– Tannins in bearberry balance the pH of the urine
Helps tone the bladder and dissolve kidney stones
– Uncontolled urination is the result of poor kidney tone, bearberry can help improve tone
– Can be helpful for prostate constriction, incontinuence and kidney infection
– Can help calm muscles in the urinary tract
– Historically been used for kidney stone treatment
Can help regulate labor contractions
– Can encourage the labor process to begin
– Help regulate contractions during the labor process
Herbal Pharmacy Recipes
Infusion – 1 teaspoon per cup, steep 8 to 10 minutes. 1-4 cups per day
Tincture – 10 drops 1 to 3 times per day
Harvesting
Leaves should be harvest in late spring and summer
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Herbal Pharmacy, Infection, Plant Medicine