BEARBERRY DRY EXTRACT
Product No. P02018
Bearberry is a dwarf shrub in the genus Arctostaphylos. Unlike the other species of Arctostaphylos, they are adapted to Arctic and sub-Arctic climates, and have a circumpolar distribution in northern America, Asia and Europe.
Bearberry was first documented in The Physicians of Myddfai, a 13th century Welsh herbal. It first appeared in the London Pharmacopoeia in 1788, though it probably was in use long before.
Marco Polo reported in 13th century that the Chinese were using it as a diuretic, to treat kidney and urinary problems. Native Americans use it with tobacco and other herbs in religious ceremonies; used as a smudge (type of incense) or smoked in a sacred pipe, it carries the smoker's prayers to the Great Spirit. Native Americans also use Bearberry tea to treat inflammation of the urinary tract, urethritis, kidney stones, and cystitis. The Cheyenne use the tea to treat back sprains. Some Native American tribes powder the leaves and apply them to sores.
The plant contains arbutin, ursolic acid, tannic acid, gallic acid, some essential oil and resin, hydroquinones (mainly arbutin, up to 17%), tannins (up to 15%), phenolic glycosides and flavonoids.
The leaves are picked during the summer and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, medicinal tea bags and tablets. It is claimed the plant may have the following properties: astringent, disinfectant, diuretic, lithontripic, sedative (renal), stimulant (mild), tonic, urinary antiseptic. It has been used to treat arthritis, back pain (lower), bile problems, bladder infections, bloating, bronchitis, cararrh of the bladder, cystitis, diabetes (by removing excessive sugar from the blood), diarrhoea, fevers, fluid retention, gallstones, indigestion, kidney stones, kidney infections, liver problems, lung congestion, excessive menstruation, pancreatitis, prostate gland weakness, rheumatism, chronic urethritis and water retention.
It is claimed to strengthen the heart muscle and urinary tract, return the womb to its normal size after childbirth, and prevent uteral infection. It is also claimed to be a powerful tonic for the sphincter muscle of the bladder so it helps with bladder control problems. It has a strong bacteriostatic action against Staphylococci and e. coli. The leaves have strong astringent properties.
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