Description: The Bearberry is a small shrub, with many-branched, irregular stems and evergreen leaves, is distributed over the greater part of the Northern Hemisphere, being found in the northern latitudes and high mountains of Europe, Asia and America. In the British Isles, it is common in Scotland, on heaths and barren places in hilly districts, especially in the Highlands, and extends south as far as Yorkshire; it grows also on the hills of the north-west of Ireland. In America it is distributed throughout Canada and the United States as far south as New Jersey and Wisconsin.
It is very closely related to the Arbutus, and was formerly assigned to the same genus (in Green's Universal Herbal, 1832, it appears under the name Arbutus Uva-Ursi) but it differs from Arbutus in having a smooth berry with five one-seeded stones, whereas the Arbutus has a rough fruit, each cell of the ovary being four to five seeded.
The trailing stems are short and woody, covered with a pale brown bark, scaling off in patches, and forming thick masses 1 to 2 feet long.
The evergreen leaves are leathery & from 1/2 inch to an inch long, like a spatula in form, being rounded at the apex and tapering gradually towards the base. The margin is slightly rolled back and the young leaves fringed with short hairs. The 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.
The pretty waxy-looking flowers are in small, closely-crowded, drooping clusters, 3-15 flowers together, at the ends of the branches of the preceding year, appearing in early summer, May-June, before the young leaves. The berry, which ripens in autumn, is about the size of a small currant, very bright red, smooth and glossy, with a tough skin enclosing an soft mealy pulp, with five one-seeded stones.
Main constituents: Bearberry leaves contain arbutin, a powerful astringent that has antiseptic properties. The leaf is also rich in tannins, useful for tanning leather. The glycoside arbutin is the active ingredient in uva ursi. Arbutin is present in fairly high amounts (up to 10%) in uva ursi. It has been shown to kill bacteria in the urine. Before it can act, however, the sugar portion of the arbutin and its attached small molecule (known as hydoquinone) must be broken apart. The urine must be alkaline for this to happen. Hydroquinone is a very powerful anti-microbial agent and is responsible for uva ursi's ability to treat urinary tract infections. Arbutin has also been shown to increase the anti-inflammatory effect of synthetic cortisone.
Properties: Astringent, Diuretic, Tonic
Uses: Externally-Astringent, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory
Internally-Urinary tract infection
Bearberry leaves are used to treat bladder and kidney infections. The plant is believed to have urinary antiseptic properties (see Constituents above). It helps to reduce accumulations of uric acid and to relive the pain of bladder stones and gravel. It is used to alleviate chronic cystitis. The tea or tincture is used for bronchitis, nephritis, and kidney stones.
Safety Considerations:
DO NOT TAKE IF PREGNANT OR NURSING
DO NOT GIVE TO CHILDREN UNDER 12
LIMIT USE TO 7-10 DAYS AT A TIME
Excessive use of bearberry can lead to stomach distress, and prolonged use can produce chronic poisoning.
Some people may experience mild nausea after taking uva ursi. Avoid taking acidic agents such as vitamin C or fruit juice, while using Uva Ursi.
Not to be used by persons with kidney disorders, irritated digestive conditions or conditions of acidic urine.
Magical:
Folk Names: Uva-ursa, Cats Paw, Mountain Everlasting, Sagackhomi
Element: Not listed
Gender: Not listed
Planet: Not listed
Powers: Psychic Workings
Uses: Kinnickinnick is a central ingredient in many of our Spirit Dancer Smoking Mixtures. Bearberry may be used to increase your intuitive and psychic abilities and skills. Some tribes use Uva Ursi to train Shamans in the development of their skills in divination and prophecy.
