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Bearberry Leaves - 100 g - Herbal Collection

R 15900
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Description

Bearberry Leaves - 100 g - Herbal Collection

Arctostaphylos uva ursi

 

TRADITIONALLY USED FOR

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a small evergreen shrub native to the Northern Hemisphere. 

It has been used traditionally for centuries due to its various medicinal properties. 

The bearberry leaves, in particular, are rich in active compounds such as arbutin, hydroquinone, tannins, flavonoids, and ursolic acid, which contribute to its therapeutic effects.

 

  1. Diuretic and urinary tract health: Bearberry has long been used for its diuretic properties, helping to increase urine output and flush out harmful substances from the body. It is particularly effective in treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
  2. Antioxidant effects: The flavonoids and other phytochemicals found in bearberry leaves have antioxidant properties, which help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
  3. Anti-inflammatory properties: Bearberry has been traditionally used to alleviate inflammation and pain associated with conditions such as arthritis, gout, and muscle soreness.
  4. Astringent properties : tannins present in bearberry leaves give it astringent properties, which can help to tighten and tone tissues. This makes it effective in treating conditions such as diarrhea and soothing inflamed or irritated mucous membranes.
  5. Antimicrobial effects: Bearberry contains compounds like arbutin and hydroquinone, which exhibit antimicrobial properties. They help to combat harmful bacteria and other microorganisms, making it useful in treating skin infections, wounds, and other conditions.
  6. Skin lightening: Bearberry extract has been used as a natural skin lightening agent, due to its ability to inhibit the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. It is used in cosmetics and skincare products for its skin-lightening and brightening effects.

 

DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT

 

Bearberry should be used with caution, as excessive consumption can lead to side effects like nausea, vomiting, and tinnitus. 

It is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, as well as individuals with kidney or liver disease. 

Always consult a healthcare professional before using bearberry or any other herbal supplement, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medications.

INFORMATION

Source : http://www.wikiphyto.org/wiki/Busserole

 

Reference on http://www.wikiphyto.org

 

Translation in English by Google Translate  (go to the page of the source linked | on Chrome cellphones go on the 3 dots on the top right and select translate in your preferred language | on laptop right click your mouse and select option translate when hoovering on the page

 

plant name

 

Bearberry or bearberry

 

International Latin denomination

 

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. = Arbutus uva-ursi

 

botanical family

 

Ericaceae

 

Description and habitat

 

  • Perennial subshrub with creeping, underground stems
  • It emits tufts of glossy green evergreen leaves, smooth-edged oval, leathery, finely veined above
  • Clusters of flowers with pinkish-white globose corolla
  • The fruit is a red spherical berry without juice nicknamed “bearberry”

 

History and tradition

 

  • Common in dry shady places, Europe, northern Asia and America

 

Parts used

 

  • Leaf

 

Dosage forms available

 

 

Usual dosages

 

  • 4 times 3 grams of drug per 24 hours, i.e. 400 to 840 mg of hydroquinone derivatives
  • 1 to 2 grams of dry extract

 

Composition

 

Main components of the plant

 

 

Main components of buds or young shoots

 

Main components of essential oil

 

Properties

 

Plant properties

 

  • Astringent, antiseptic (very oriented towards urinary tract conditions)
  • Arbutoside (or arbutin ) is stable in the drug thanks to the tannins (hence the interest in keeping the totum) but hydrolyzed by the intestinal bacteria with the release of its aglycone, hydroquinone (a phenol ), conjugated in the liver, excreted via the kidneys and then released into the urinary tract
  • Synergy with phenolic acids and piceoside
  • Diuretic ( flavonoids and glycosides)
  • Anti-inflammatory ( iridoids and allantoin )
  • It's necessary :
    • 1°) a sufficient quantity of glucoside (non-toxic) in principle up to 4 times 3 grams of drug per 24 hours, i.e. 400 to 840 mg of hydroquinone derivatives
    • 2°) provide the urine with an alkaline reaction (for example with Vichy water or sodium bicarbonate) to decompose the esters
  • The leaves are antimicrobial in vitro and in vivo against many germs ( Candida, Staphylococcus, Escherichia, Salmonella )

 

Bud properties

 

Properties of essential oil

 

Directions

 

Indications of the whole plant (phytotherapy)

 

  • Urinary infections, cystitis, urethritis, nephritis, pyelitis
  • Maximum urinary concentration after 6 hours (70-75% of administered dose), lasting for 24 hours
  • Depigmenting effect of the skin in cosmetics (reduction of tyrosinase and melanin)
  • Contraindicated in pregnant women, arbutoside seems teratogenic
  • Interactions: avoid drugs that acidify the urine

 

Indications of the bud (gemmotherapy)

 

Specific indications of essential oil (aromatherapy)

 

Known or suspected mode of action

 

  • Arbutoside is hydrolyzed by intestinal bacteria with release of its aglycone, hydroquinone (a phenol), conjugated in the liver, excreted renally and then released in the urinary tract
    • sufficient amount of glucoside (non-toxic)
    • It has been said that alkalinization of urine is necessary to break down esters and improve efficiency, which does not seem essential [1]

 

Usual formulations

 

  • Use cold maceration to avoid too high a tannin content , then heat in a second step to eliminate any echinococcosis

 

Regulations

 

 

Possible side effects and precautions for use

 

  • Under the recommended conditions of use, the use of bearberry leaves is a safe therapeutic option for the treatment of lower urinary tract infections [2].
  • Contraindicated in pregnant women, bearberry being oxytocic and arbutoside seeming teratogenic
  • Interactions: avoid drugs that acidify the urine (vitamin C, acid fruits)
  • At high doses: nausea, vomiting, irritability, insomnia, increased heart rate, albuminuria, hematuria [3]
    • Extremely high doses (ten times the recommended amount) may cause tinnitus, dyspnoea, seizures, delirium, vomiting

 

Bibliographic references

 

  1. Go↑ Siegers C, Bodinet C, Ali SS, Siegers CP. Bacterial deconjugation of arbutin by Escherichia coli. Phytomedicine. 2003;10 Suppl 4:58-60. PMID 12807345
  2. Go↑ Arriba SG, Naser B, Nolte KU. Risk assessment of free hydroquinone derived from Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi folium herbal preparations. Int J Toxicol. 2013 Nov-Dec;32(6):442-53. doi: 10.1177/1091581813507721. PMID 24296864
  3. Go↑ Chemical Information Review Document for Arbutin [CAS No. 497-76-7] and Extracts from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Supporting Nomination for Toxicological Evaluation by the National Toxicology Program, January 2006 [1]
  • WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants (WHO Monographs) VOLUME 2
  • Dombrowicz, E., Zadernowski, R. & Swiatek, L. (1991). Phenolic acids in leaves of Arctostaphylos uva ursi L., Vaccinium vitis idaea L. and Vaccinium myrtillus L, Pharmazie, 46 (9): 680-1
  • Akerreta Silvia, Cavero Rita Yolanda, Calvo Maria Isabel. First comprehensive contribution to medical ethnobotany of Western Pyrenees. J Ethnobiol Ethnomedicine. 2007; 3:26.
  • RiosJL et al. Antimicrobial activity of selected plants employed in the Spanish Mediterranean area. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1987, 21:139–152.
  • Grases F et al. Urolithiasis and phytotherapy. International Urology and Nephrology, 1994, 26:507–511.
  • Gina L. Nick. Antibiotics and urinary infections: too much too often? Life & Health Library, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Nov 2005 [2]

CAUTION

Store in a cool, dry place, away from light. Keep tightly closed, away from the reach of Children and pets.

Do not exceed the daily dose.

 

This product is not intended to prevent or cure any form of illness or disease.
 

If you are pregnant or nursing ; If you have a medical condition or are in the course of medical treatment ; If you are programmed for theater/operation in the near future, please consult your healthcare practitioner before using this product.

 

This product cannot replace a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

 

This product has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use.

 

For More Information please check our General Safety Herbal products Page