Earthnotes Herb Library

BEARBERRY
ERICACEAE
aka Arberry, Arbutus uva-ursi, Bärenbaubenblätter (Ger), Barren myrtle, Bear Grape, Bear's bilberry,
Bear's whortleberry, Bousserole (Fr), Brawlins, Crowberry, Foxberry, Gayuba (Sp), Hog cranberry, Jackashepuck,
Kinnikinnick, Mealberry, Mealy Plum Vine, Mountain Box, Mountain Cranberry, Mountain tobacco, Red Bearberry,
Rockberry, Sagachomi, Sagackhomi, Sandberry, Universe vine, Upland cranberry, Uva-ursi, Yukon holly
(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
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See Juniper and use the ground leaf of bearberry as a safer substitute for it.
Also see: Alpine Bearberry

CAUTION! NOT to be taken by pregnant women or those breastfeeding. NOT to be taken by children, or those with kidney disease. High doses cause nausea and can actually inflame the lining of the bladder and urinary tract. Overuse can cause symptoms of poisoning. Long term use can cause liver damage, especially in children

CONTAINS: Hydroquinones like the crystallized glucoside arbutin (5-12%; strong antibacterial sugar complex metabolized only in the urinary tract where it breaks down into gucose and hydrokinone which is similar in action to the antispetic phenol); shown effective against Klebsiella and Escherichia coli, both associated with urinary tract infections. Hydroquinine in large doses is toxic and can cause ringing in the ears, vomiting, convulsions, and collapse; since doses are usually small, this is generally not a problem. Also contains methyl-arbutin, ericolin, ursone, gallic acid, ellagic acid, ursolic acid, isoquercitrin, flavonoids, resin, calcium oxalate, and tannin. The incinerated leaves yield 3% ash.

A sprawling shrub with much-branched irregular stems and evergreen leaves with a single, long, fibrous main root which sends out several prostrate stems from which grow erect, branching stems 4 to 6 inches high; found over most of the northern hemisphere (mountains of Europe, Asia, and America; common in Scotland on heaths and barren places in hilly terrain (especially the Highlands), and extends as far south as Yorkshire; also found on hills of northwestern Ireland; in North America it is found throughout Canada and the United States as far south as New Jersey and Wisconsin).
Evergreen leaves are leathery (occasionally turning slightly orange or mahogany with age), 1/2 to 1-inch long, spatulate, being rounded at the apex and tapering gradually toward the base to a short stalk; margin is slightly rolled back and the young leaves are fringed with short hairs; upper surface is a dark, shining green with veins deeply impressed; lower side is paler green with prominent veins which form a coarse cross-hatch network, and is without spots; no distinctive odor, but very astringent, bitterish taste. Stems and branches are a dark brown to reddish color. Waxy flowers appear in small, closely crowded drooping clusters, 3 to 15 flowers together at the ends of the branches of the preceding year; flowers bloom in early summer; the corolla, about 2/3-inch across, is urn shaped, reddish white or white with red lip, transparent at base and contracted at the mouth; the mouth is divided into 4 to 5 short reflexed blunt teeth which are hairy within; there are 10 stamens with chocolate-brown anthers. The berry ripens in autumn and is about the size of a small currant; bright red, smooth and glossy with a tough skin enclosing a mealy pulp containing 5 one-seeded stones.
The botanical name is taken from the Greek 'arcto' meaning berry and the Latin 'uva ursi' meaning bear.
In Green's Universal Herbal (1832) it is listed as Arbutus uva-ursi, but is distinguished from the Arbutus species by having a smooth berry with five 1-seeded stones (Arbutus has rough fruit with each cell of the ovary being 4 to 5 seeded).
In the Doctrine of Signatures it was assigned to conditions of 'sand' or 'gravel' related to the kidneys because of its affinity for sandy soils. Was used in the 13th century by the Welsh Physicians of Myddfai' and mentioned by Clusius in 1601. Gerhard of Berlin mentioned it for medicinal use in 1763. It first appeared in the London Pharmacopoeia in 1788. Marco Polo is said to have discovered its uses while in China. Supposedly, Kublai Khan heard of it during his invasions. Certainly, by the 13th century, herbalists were well versed in its uses. In 1803 it was the subject of an inaugural dissertation by Dr. John Mitchell at the University of Pennsylvania.
Listed in the USP 1820-1936; in the NF 1936-1950.
In the past, supplies of bearberry have been adulterated with the leaves of Cowberry and Box.
Astrologically, ruling planets are Mars and Pluto.

PROPAGATION: By fresh seed sown into mixture of peat and sand in autumn; by layering of long branches in early spring (place one of the runners in a clay pot while still attached to the mother plant; once rooted, clip off the runner); by semi-ripe cuttings with heel in summer; also by green stem cuttings.
NEEDS: Hardy to zone 2. An ornamental which makes a good ground cover and requires a sandy, acid soil (pH 5) in sun or part shade. Benefits from decayed leaf mold or peat moss worked into the surface of the soil. Pinch back young plants occasionally to encourage compact growth. Useful to check erosion on steep banks. Does well planted between other Heath family plants.
HARVEST: Leaves as available during spring and summer, also late summer (sources vary on the perfect time); dried for use.
PART USED: Only the green leaves collected in September-October are used medicinally, then dried; should be stored immediately so they do not re-absorb moisture from the air. Berries are taken before the first frost.
SOLVENT: Alcohol and water.
RELATED SPECIES:
Manzanita (A. glauca) and (A. columbiana): A California native whose leaves are used in the same manner as bearberry. Leaves are pale green, the bark dark red. Common on dry hills and plains in California. Berries are powdered and mixed with water for a refreshing drink; also the juice was used to make beverage drinks and cider. The berries were gathered by Native Americans and dried for winter use, or eaten raw, or cooked then dried, then ground and made into bread or mush. The leaves are sometimes substituted for Bearberry leaves.
Woolly Manzanita (A. tomentosa): Used the same as A. polifolia. Fruit was used by Native Americans in California and the northwestern states>. A. nevadensis and A. patula: The fruit was used by Native Americans in Oregon.
A. parryana: The fruit was used by Native Americans in California.
A. polifolia: A Mexican plant used medicinally.
Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens): Another member of the Heath family which also contains arbutin and has been used in place of bearberry. Can be found growing on moist, sandy soils in the shade of low pines, hemlocks and scrub oaks.

DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLY
!All others buy commercial preparations and follow directions carefully!
POWDER = 20-60 grains.
INFUSION = To reduce tannic acid, prepare 1 oz of leaves to 1 pint of cold water; steep 12 to 24 hours. Taken 1/2 cup as needed up to 3 cups daily. Can also be prepared by infusing 1 to 2 tsps leaves in water just off the boil and steeped for 5 to 7 minutes and taken 3 times daily.
TINCTURE = Up to 4 ml 3 times daily (1 to 2 ml average dose or 10 to 20 drops) in water.
COMPOUND TINCTURE = 2 to 15 drops tincture of quaking aspen, 10 to 20 drops tincture of bearberry; combine, take 10 to 20 drops.
CAPSULES = 1 up to 3 times daily.
OTHER = Soak dried powdered leaves in brandy, then take a small amount mixed in water; OR, leaves can be soaked in brandy or other alcohol with 1 tsp of the soaked leaves added to 1 cup of boiling water and taken 2 to 3 cups per day, cold. Leaves can also be soaked in brandy for 1 week before making an infusion; add 1 tsp of brandy to 1 cup of the infusion.
ARTHRITIS TEA = Combine equal parts bearberry leaves, black cohosh, chamomile, cascara sagrada, pokeweed root and sassafras; steep 1½ tsp of the mixture in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes; take 1 cup morning and evening.
KIDNEY PROBLEMS = Combine 8 parts bearberry, 6 parts couch grass, 5 parts buchu, 3 parts button snakeroot, 3 parts pipsissewa, 3 parts jumiper berries, 1 part celery seed, 1 part lovage root; boil 1½ tsp of the mix in 2 cups of water for 2 to 3 minutes; let stand 10 minutes and strain; take 1 cup morning and evening.
CYSTITIS = Combine 1 part lovage root, 1 part parsley seed, 2 parts bearberry leaves; bring 1½ tsp of the mix in 1 cup of water quickly to a boil; take 1/2 cup 2 times daily.
BLADDER INFECTION= 10 grams (about 1/2 oz) daily; antibacterial activity occurs 3 to 4 hours after taking.

HOMEOPATHIC:
Used for cyanosis, cystitis, dyspnoea, dysuria, haematuria, nausea, pyelitis, rash without itching, urinary affections, uterine hemorrhage, vomiting, weak and irregular pulse..
Dose= of the tincture, 5 to 30 drops; for pyelitis, a trituration of the leaves.

VETERINARIAN:
Used in farm animals for conditions similar to those in humans.

CULINARY:
See Cooking with Herbs and Wild Foods The fruit (kinnikinnick) is used the same as Manzanita; also used for seasoning meats.

DYE:
Leaves produce a camel-beige color with no mordant.
The whole plant produces green with an alum and iron mordant.
Aerial portion of plant produces a yellow-green to gray without mordant; green with alum and copperas; blue-green with blue vitriol.
In Scandinavia an ash colored dye was obtained from the plant.

OTHER:
Due to the high tannin content in the leaves, it has been used to tan leather in Sweden and Russia.
Native Americans added the leaves to 'kinnikinnick' (a smoking mixture) in their peace pipes; this was smoked during tribal councils; was believed to be calming and mentally clarifying. The word 'kinnikinnick' is Algonkian, Cree, or Ojibwa, meaning 'that which is mixed'. 'Sagacomin' is an Algonkian word meaning 'smoking leaf berry'.
The berries are eaten by grouse, but avoided by cattle.
Used as a 'visionary' herb by those seeking increased psychic ability.

ALPINE BEARBERRY
ERICACEAE
aka Black Bearberry, Checkerberry, Foxberry, Sac à Commis, Sagakomi, Segockimac, Whortleberry
(Arctostaphylos alpina)
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CAUTION! Excessive dosing and long term use can cause chronic liver problems, especially in children.

Very similar to Bearberry (above), but leaves are not evergreen; they wither but remain on the plant. Native to northern Europe, northern Asia, and North America. Hardy to zone 2. Berries are black, juicy, 6 to 10mm with separate nutlets. Seeds have been found at the Juntunen site in Michigan by archeologists dating to 1070-1320 A.D.; seeds have also been found at the Isle Royale site.

CULINARY:
Berries were prepared for eating by roasting in a fry pan, then mixed with salmon oil or animal grease.
The Chippewa cooked the berries with meat as a seasoning.

OTHER:
Badge of the Clan Ross.
The leaf was dried and pounded, then mixed and smoked. Early French settlers used it the same as the Indians to smoke. Smoking the leaves was said to be relaxing.
Was also smoked in a pipe to attract game.
Some Native Americans used it in medicine ceremonies.
Leaves and stems used in Russia and Sweden for tanning.