Scientific name
Arctostaphylos uva ursi, sin. Arbutus uva ursi
Family
Ericaceae
Origin
The plant is a shrub with small, spatula-shaped, evergreen and leathery leaves. It is native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, northern Europe, Asia and North America. Traditionally, the decoction of bearberry leaves was used to treat urinary infections.
Parts Used
Drug given by fresh or dried leaves (Official Pharmacopoeia)
Chemical constituents
- Hydroquinone glucosides (arbutoside or arbutin, methylbutin);
- Hydrolyzable tannins;
- Iridoid glycosides (monotropein);
- Flavonoids (myricetin);
- Terpenoids (alpha- and beta-amirine, uveol, ursolic acid).
Uva ursina in Herbalist: Properties of the Uva ursina
Bearberry is used as a diuretic and urinary disinfectant, as well as an astringent. The antibacterial effect is due to arbutin, whose metabolites in the urine release hydroquinone, which has proven antibacterial activity.
The urinary antiseptic action of hydroquinone requires - to fully manifest itself - an alkaline pH of the urine and a concentration of active principle of at least 60 μg / mL.
