Bearberry - beneficial properties, use in folk medicine, contraindications. Bearberry: medicinal properties and contraindications Collections with bearberry and recipes for certain diseases

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Rice. 7.1. Common bearberry - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.

Bearberry leaves-folia uvae ursi
— Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.
Sem. heather—Ericaceae
Other names: bear ears, bear grapes, bearberry, torment, bearberry, drupe, bearberry

Strongly branched, low-growing evergreen shrub with prostrate shoots up to 2 m long (Fig. 7.1).
Leaves alternate obovate, wedge-shaped at the base, gradually turning into a short petiole, small, slightly shiny, leathery.
Flowers whitish-pink, reminiscent of bells, collected in drooping short apical brushes.
whisk pitcher-shaped, clepalatal with a five-toothed limb. Stamens 10.
Pestle with a superior five-locular ovary.
Fetus– coenocarpous inedible mealy drupe of red color, with 5 seeds.
Blooms in May - June, fruits ripen in July - August.

Spreading

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Spreading. Forest zone of the European part, Siberia and the Far East of Russia, as well as in the Caucasus and the Carpathians. The main harvesting areas where productive thickets are found are Lithuania, Belarus, Pskov, Novgorod, Vologda, Leningrad and Tver regions of Russia. Recently, thickets have been identified in new areas: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Irkutsk Region and Yakutia.

Habitat. Mainly in dry larch and pine forests (pine forests) with lichen cover (white moss), as well as in open sandy areas, coastal dunes, rocks, burnt areas and clearings. Light-loving plant. Occurs scatteredly, does not form large thickets.

Medicinal raw materials

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External signs

Whole raw materials

Leaves small, leathery, dense, brittle, entire-edged, obovate or oblong-obovate in shape, rounded at the apex, sometimes with a small notch, wedge-shaped narrowed towards the base, with a very short petiole (Fig. 7.2, B). Leaves length 1-2.2 cm, width 0.5-1.2 cm.
The venation is reticulate. The leaves on the upper side are dark green, shiny, with clearly visible depressed veins, on the lower side they are slightly lighter, matte, glabrous.
Smell absent. Taste strongly astringent, bitter.

Crushed raw materials

Pieces of leaves of various shapes from light green to dark green, passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 3 mm.
Smell absent. Taste strongly astringent, bitter.

Microscopy

When examining the leaf from the surface, polygonal epidermal cells with straight and rather thick walls are visible. The stomata are large, round, with a wide open stomatal fissure, surrounded by 8 (5-9) epidermal cells (encyclocytic type). Large veins are accompanied by a lining with calcium oxalate crystals in the form of prisms, their intergrowths and drusen. Slightly curved 2-3-cell hairs are often found at the base of the leaf (Fig. 7.3).

Rice. 7.3. Microscopy of a bearberry leaf:

epidermis of the upper (A) and lower (B) sides of the leaf from the surface:
1 – epidermal cell;
2 – stomata;
B – hair;
D – prismatic crystals along the vein (in the sheath cells).

Numerical indicators.Whole raw materials. Arbutin, determined by iodometric titration, not less than 6%; humidity no more than 12%; total ash no more than 4%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 2%; no more than 3% of leaves that have turned brown and darkened on both sides; other parts of the plant (twigs, fruits) no more than 4%; organic impurity no more than 0.5%; mineral impurity no more than 0.5%. Crushed raw materials. Arbutin not less than 6%; humidity no more than 12%; total ash no more than 4%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 2%; browned and darkened pieces of leaves no more than 3%; particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 3 mm, no more than 5%; organic impurity no more than 0.5%; mineral impurity no more than 0.5%.

Procurement and storage of raw materials

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Preparation. The leaves should be collected in two periods: in the spring - before flowering or at the very beginning of flowering (from late April to mid-June) and in the fall - from the moment the fruits ripen until they fall off (from late August to mid-October). After flowering, the growth of young shoots begins; leaves collected at this time turn brown when dried and, in addition, contain a small amount of arbutin. When preparing raw materials, leafy shoots (twigs) are cut off with a special knife or chopped off with a hoe. The cut off branches are collected, shaken off sand and moss and transported to the drying site.

Apical shoots (Cormi Uvae ursi) 20-30 cm long are allowed for harvesting, which are cut with a knife or scissors, which increases the productivity of pickers. However, this type of raw material is practically never found in pharmaceutical practice.

Security measures. Breaking branches and pulling out plants by hand is not allowed. In order to preserve the thickets, it is necessary to alternate collection sites, using the same array no more than once every 5 years. It is advisable to create reserves for bearberry.

Drying. In natural conditions: in attics or under a canopy. The raw materials are laid out loosely, in a thin layer, and stirred periodically. Dried branches are threshed, selected, stems and blackened leaves are discarded. The crushed raw materials and mineral impurities are winnowed on a sieve. The yield of dry raw materials is 50% relative to freshly harvested. Artificial drying is allowed at a temperature not exceeding 50 °C.

Standardization. GF XI, issue. 2, art. 26 and Changes No. 1, 2.

Storage. In a dry, well-ventilated area, packed in bags. Shelf life: 5 years.

Composition of bearberry

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Chemical composition. The active substance is the phenologlycoside arbutin, which is beta-D-glucopyranoside hydroquinone (8-16%). The leaves are rich in tannins of the hydrolyzable group (from 7.2 to 41.6%). Smaller quantities contain methylarbutin, hydroquinone, galloylarbutin, as well as triterpenoids - ursolic acid (0.4-0.7%), flavonoids, catechins, phenolcarboxylic acids - gallic, ellagic. Bearberry leaves contain a lot of iodine (2.1-2.7 mcg/kg). The glycoside arbutin is hydrolyzed into hydroquinone and glucose under the influence of the enzyme arbutase.

Qualitative reactions. An aqueous decoction of the leaves is used: the decoction (1:20), when shaken with a crystal of ferrous sulfate, gradually forms a dark purple precipitate (arbutin); A decoction of bearberry leaves when adding a solution of ferroammonium alum gives a black-blue color (tannins of the hydrolyzable group), and a decoction of lingonberry leaves gives a black-green color (tannins of the condensed group).

Properties and uses of bearberry

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Pharmacotherapeutic group. Diuretic, antiseptic.

Pharmacological properties. The antiseptic effect of bearberry leaves is due to hydroquinone, which is formed in the body during the hydrolysis of arbutin and is excreted in the urine. The urine turns green or dark green. The diuretic effect of bearberry preparations is also associated with hydroquinone. Tannins contained in bearberry decoction have an astringent effect in the gastrointestinal tract.

Application. A decoction of bearberry leaves is used for diseases of the urinary tract (urolithiasis, cystitis, urethritis) as a disinfectant and diuretic. When taking large doses, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and other side effects are possible. Bearberry leaves are somewhat irritating to the epithelium of the urinary system, so they are combined with plants that have anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and diuretic effects.

Medicines

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1. Bearberry leaves, crushed raw materials. Diuretic, antiseptic.
2. As part of diuretic collections (diuretic collections No. 1-2; urological collection (diuretic); Brusniver-T collection; Herbafol collection) and the anti-alcohol collection Stopal.
3. Uriflorin, tablets 0.3 g (bearberry leaf powder). Diuretic, antiseptic.

Description of Bearberry (Bear's Ear) .

• Literary names of the plant: Bearberry;
• Latin (botanical) name of the plant: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi;
• Generic name of the plant: Arctostaphylos;
• Common names of the plant: Bear grape, Bear ear, Bear ears, Bear berry, Muchnitsa, Pork lingonberry, Pork berry, Bearberry, Bearberry.

Only the main, most common names among the population are listed. The names came to us from, as well as because of their appearance and habitat. Bearberry is a plant of swamps, where it can form thickets. Due to its use in official and folk medicine. When cultivated in very small quantities, since the plant is quite fastidious and susceptible to external conditions and it is extremely difficult to endure harvesting periods, if harvested carelessly, the thickets can die. On various ones, you can examine the various structural features of the plant and appreciate its beauty. It should be noted that despite its apparent strength, the plant is extremely susceptible to invasion of its territory; careless harvesting can lead to the complete destruction of the plant; it takes a very long time to recover.

The plant belongs to the heather family; it is an evergreen, terrestrial, creeping shrub reaching 1.5 m in length. Due to its beneficial healing properties, it is classified as a medicinal plant.

Stem. The stem of Bearberry is woody, creeping, up to 1.5 m long with yellowish bark, highly branched. Young branches of the plant are slightly pubescent, green or gray-green in color, old branches with peeling bark are red-gray.

Leaves. Bearberry leaves are dark green above, green below, wrinkled with depressed veins. The location is alternate, obovate, oblong, small, thick, the edges are entire, the tops are round, leathery in appearance with a characteristic sheen. Young foliage dies off in the 3rd year.

Flowers. Bearberry blooms in May-June. The flowers are small on short stalks, a delicate pale pink color, the flowers are collected in inclined racemes. The racemes can contain up to 10 magnificent flowers.

Fruit. Bearberry fruits are a spherical, mealy drupe, red in color, with five seeds. The fruits ripen by August.

Root system. The root system of Bearberry is underdeveloped and highly susceptible to external influences.

The plant reproduces Mainly vegetatively, bearberry reproduces from seeds extremely difficult.

Bearberry is a light-loving plant, grows in illuminated areas, on dry, sandy soils, in pine forests or clearings, and does not tolerate plant competition.

Bear's ear is a medicinal plant, it is used in medicine, and in rare cases it is grown in areas as an ornamental plant. Improper use can cause gag reflexes and other side effects, which requires caution when using in its pure form only after consulting a doctor.

Distribution areas of Bearberry (Bear's Ear).

The medicinal plant has found a very wide distribution in the territories of European countries, Western and Eastern Siberia, and the Far East. Grows in open, well-lit areas, open swamps, pine forests, sandy clearings.

Bearberry (Bear's ear) is listed in the red books.

If pulled out or carelessly harvested, it may degenerate in this place, as it cannot tolerate competition with other plants. Due to poor germination and long recovery, the medicinal plant Bearberry (Bear's ear) was brought into its:
- Republic of Bashkortostan;
- The Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Bryansk region, Ivanovo region, Kaliningrad region, Kaluga region, Lipetsk region, Moscow region, Novgorod region, Penza region, Ryazan region, Samara region, Tver region, Tula region, Yaroslavl region;
- Ukraine: Zhytomyr region, Lviv region, Rivne region, Sumy region;
- The Republic of Mordovia;
- Republic of Tatarstan;
- Udmurt republic.

Bearberry (Bear's Ear) is often confused with lingonberry, since they are similar in appearance and grow in the same area, but lingonberry has curled edges and matte-colored leaves from the bottom.

Since ancient times, bearberry has been used by folk healers to cure a lot of pathologies. In Russian folk medicine, the plant was used to treat venereal diseases, as well as urolithiasis. Lithuanian folk medicine used its medicinal properties to cleanse the blood. Bearberry-based preparations were used to treat diarrhea, central nervous system pathologies, and hypertension.

In our time, the plant has not lost its fans. In Germany it is still used as a disinfectant. Poles value the beneficial antiseptic properties of the plant and use it to treat pyelitis, cystitis, diarrhea, tuberculosis and malaria.

In addition, due to the presence of tannins in the plant, it is used in leather tanning. Bearberry contains arbutin, which has a whitening effect, making the plant valued by cosmetologists.

Botanical characteristics

Bear's ear (popular name bearberry) is a perennial evergreen prostrate shrub of the heather family. It reaches a height of seventy or more centimeters. The plant is equipped with creeping branched shoots, covered with brownish bark, evergreen alternate leathery on top, wrinkled oblong-obovate, entire-edge, and light matte leaves below, pink small flowers.

The fruits are red, five-seeded, mealy, spherical berries. It begins to bloom at the beginning of spring, and the fruits ripen by mid-summer. Russia, Siberia, Caucasus, Far East - habitat. Dry pine forests, deciduous forests, sandy soils, birch-deciduous woodlands, clearings, clearings, seaside cliffs, scree are places where bearberry grows.

Blank

Traditional healers mainly use the leaves. It is advisable to collect raw materials in early spring. Then the leaves need to be sorted and the spoiled and rotten ones removed. You should not pull out the bearberry with its rhizome, as it will no longer grow in this place.

If the raw material was prepared correctly and on time, then even after drying it will retain its green color. You can dry the leaves either outside in the shade or in the attic, or in a special dryer or oven. It is very important to maintain the temperature regime in the dryer, fifty degrees. Properly harvested foliage should have a bitter, astringent taste and a very faint aroma. Next, the raw materials are poured into paper bags or cardboard boxes and placed for storage in a well-ventilated area. The shelf life of raw materials is three years.

Composition and benefits of the plant

The plant contains a significant amount of biologically active substances:

• phenols;
• phenologlycosides;
• arbutin;
• ursolic acid;
• erythrodiol;
• uvaola;
• oleic acid;
• anthocyanins;
• catechins;
• phenolcarboxylic acids;
• flavonoids;
• organic acids (formic, quinic);
• tannins;
• essential oils;
• micro- and macroelements.

Bearberry has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, diuretic, astringent, disinfectant, wound healing and analgesic effects.

Medicines based on bearberry help:

• normalization of the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• normalization of metabolic processes;
• wound healing;
• stopping bleeding;
• improving digestion;
• normalization of the gastrointestinal tract;
• elimination of inflammatory processes;
• elimination of edema;
• normalization of the functioning of the central nervous system;
• improved sleep;
• treatment of rheumatism, cystitis, urethritis, gonorrhea, diarrhea, malaria, tuberculosis, prostatitis, gout, diathesis, urolithiasis, heartburn, colitis, gastritis.

Alternative medicine recipes

Chronic cystitis: treatment with infusion

Take dry leaves of the plant, chop and brew a couple of tablespoons of the raw material in half a liter of boiled water. It is necessary to infuse the product overnight in a dry, warm place. In the morning, filter the composition and drink a quarter glass of the drink three times a day, after meals.

Diathesis, urolithiasis: use of decoction

Mix dried bearberry leaves with horsetail, dill seed and carrots in equal proportions. Grind all ingredients to a powdery consistency. Pour the powder into an enamel pan, add three liters of boiling water and leave to steep overnight. The next day, place the container on the stove and boil. Cool, filter and consume half a glass of the product before each sitting at the table.

Cardiac neurosis: treatment with decoction

Take 15 grams of dried finely chopped bearberry leaves and combine with motherwort herb - the same amount, mix. Pour the mixture into a saucepan, add 400 ml of running water, and place on the stove. Cook the product over low heat for twenty minutes. Cool, filter and take 20 ml of the drug four times a day before meals.

Gout: using a healing ointment

Grind fresh bearberry leaves and pour 30 grams of the raw material with boiled water - 300 ml. Boil the mixture, filter and mix with melted pork fat, stir. Place the product in the refrigerator. Lubricate the painful areas with the prepared ointment. Cover the top with cellophane and cotton cloth. Put on a warm sock and go to bed like that. There must be at least ten such procedures.

Tuberculosis: use of the mixture

Grind the dried leaves of the plant to a powdery consistency and pour into an enamel saucepan. Pour the raw material with milk, approximately 200 ml and put on fire, boil. Then combine the broth with a spoonful of badger fat and stir. Cool the mixture and add a little honey. It is recommended to take 10 ml of the drug twice a day: morning and evening.

Insomnia: treatment with infusion

Mix bearberry leaves with birch leaves, licorice rhizome and corn silk in equal proportions. Brew 30 grams of raw materials with boiling water - half a liter. Leave the product in a warm place for four hours. Take half a glass of medicine four times a day.

Preparation of a diuretic agent

Combine 15 grams of bearberry leaves with the same amount of lingonberry leaves, flaxseeds, nettle herb, birch leaves, horsetail and licorice rhizome. Grind all the ingredients and brew 40 g of the mixture with boiling water - 300 ml. Leave the product for several hours, then filter. Drink 50 ml of the drink three times a day.

Bearberry leaves -FoliaUvae- ursi

Bearberry shoots -CormusUvae- ursi

Common bearberry - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Spr.

Heather family - Ericaceae

Other names:

- bear ears

- bear grapes

- bearberry

- tormentor

- bearberry

- drupe

- bearberry

Botanical characteristics. A perennial, low-growing evergreen creeping shrub with a woody stem. The whole plant resembles lingonberries. The leaves are alternate, obovate, gradually turning into a short petiole, small, leathery. The whitish-pink flowers resemble bells, which are collected in short racemes. The fruit is a red, inedible, mealy, berry-like drupe. It blooms in May-June, bears fruit in August-September.

Spreading. Forest zone of the European part of the country, Western Siberia, Volga region, central regions, less often - the Far East. The main procurement areas are Lithuania, Belarus, Pskov, Novgorod, Vologda and Tver regions. Recently, thickets have been identified in new areas: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Irkutsk Region and Yakutia.

Habitat. Mainly in dry pine forests with lichen cover (white moss pine forests) on sandy-limestone soil, sand dunes. Light-loving plant. Does not form large thickets. Thickets in burnt areas, clearings, and plantings are most suitable for commercial harvesting. For development, the presence of mycorrhiza-forming fungi in the soil is necessary. The productivity of bearberry in different types of pine forests is different, for example, in lichen pine forests it is 15-20 kg/ha, and in dry grass-lichen forests it is 50-120 kg/ha.

Harvesting, primary processing and drying. The collection of leaves should be carried out in two periods: in the spring - before flowering or at the very beginning of flowering, in the fall - from the moment the fruits ripen until they fall off. Raw materials cannot be harvested from mid-June to the end of August, since leaves collected at this time turn brown when dried and contain less arbutin. When harvesting, the leafy branches are “mowed down,” shaken off sand and transported to the drying site.

Thanks to the presence of dormant buds, bearberry recovers well after harvesting, but in order to preserve its thickets, it is necessary to leave at least 1/3 of the clump untouched. Repeated harvesting in the same area should be carried out at intervals of 3-5 years, depending on the category of thicket. A special machine was developed for harvesting shoots, but it was not used.

Before drying, remove dead brown and blackened leaves and various impurities. Dry in attics or under sheds, laying out the leafy branches in a thin layer and turning them over daily. Artificial drying is allowed at a temperature not exceeding 50°C. Dried leaves are separated from large stems by threshing. To remove dust, sand, and crushed particles, the leaves are sifted through a sieve with holes 3 mm in diameter.

Standardization. The quality of raw materials is regulated by the requirements of Global Fund XI.

Security measures. It is not allowed to tear off branches or pull out the plant by hand. In order to preserve the thickets, it is necessary to alternate collection sites, using the same array no more than once every 5 years.

External signs. According to GF XI, the leaves are obovate, narrowed towards the base, short-petiolate, entire, leathery, with small sparse hairs along the edge, visible through a magnifying glass, shiny on top, bare; reticulate venation. Leaf length is about 2 cm, width up to 1 cm. The color is dark green above, lighter below. There is no smell. The taste is strongly astringent and bitter.

The following may be collected incorrectly:

lingonberry - Vaccinium vitis idaea L. Its leaves are larger, oval in shape, there are glands on the underside, the edge is slightly curved down, there is no reticulation, the main vein is noticeable, and the second-order veins are directed obliquely upward, it is used independently;

umbrella winterweed - Chimaphyla umbellata (L.) Nutt. The leaves are large, oblanceolate-wedge-shaped, narrowed into a short petiole, located below in the form of a rosette. The venation is pinnate.

The quality of raw materials is reduced due to possible impurities of browned or crushed leaves and other parts of bearberry, organic impurities. The authenticity of the leaves is determined by external characteristics.

Microscopy. When examining the leaf from the surface, one can see the presence of polygonal epidermal cells with straight and rather thick walls and large stomata surrounded by 8 (5-9) cells. Single prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate are visible along the large veins. The hairs are 2-3-celled, slightly curved, and occasionally found along the main vein.

Qualitative reactions. Qualitative reactions to arbutin (with ferrous sulfate or a solution of sodium phosphomolybdate in hydrochloric acid), as well as to tannins (with ferric ammonium alum).

Numerical indicators. Arbutin, determined by iodometric titration, not less than 6%; humidity no more than 12%; total ash no more than 4%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 2%; no more than 3% of leaves that have turned brown and yellowed on both sides; other parts of the plant (twigs and fruits) no more than 4%. No more than 0.5% organic and 0.5% mineral impurities are allowed.

Chemical composition. The leaves contain from 8 to 25% (not less than 6%) arbutin glycoside (ericolin), methylarbutin, 30-35% tannins of the pyrogall group, free hydroquinone, ursolic acid (0.4-0.75%), flavonoids (hyperoside, quercetin and isoquercitrin, myricitrin, quercitrin and myricetin), quinic, formic, ascorbic acids, a small amount of essential oil. Bearberry leaves contain 2.76% nitrogenous substances per absolutely dry weight of raw materials, of which 57.5% belongs to protein substances, including essential amino acids. Bearberry leaves contain a lot of iodine (2.1-2.7 mcg/kg).

Arbutin glycoside is hydrolyzed into hydroquinone and glucose under the influence of the enzyme arbutase.

Qualitative reactions. An aqueous decoction of the leaves is used:

a decoction (1:20), when shaken with a crystal of ferrous iron, gradually forms a dark purple precipitate (arbutin);

A decoction of bearberry leaves when adding a solution of ferroammonium alum gives a black-blue color (tannins of the pyrogallol group), and a decoction of lingonberry leaves gives a black-green color (tannins of the pyrocatechol group).

Storage. In a dry place, packed in bags. Shelf life: 5 years.

Pharmacological properties. The antiseptic effect of bearberry is due to hydroquinone, which is formed in the body during the hydrolysis of arbutin and is excreted in the urine. The urine turns green or dark green. The diuretic effect of plant preparations is also associated with hydroquinone. Tannins contained in bearberry decoction have an astringent effect in the gastrointestinal tract. In experiments on rats, bearberry decoctions revealed antihypoxic properties: under the influence of the introduction of bearberry, the percentage of survival of animals under hypoxic conditions increased.

Bearberry is of interest as a natural source of hydroquinone, which is a substance with labile hydrogen. Hydroquinone increases the activity of redox reactions. Among its many-sided effects is the ability to block O-methyltransferase and thereby prolong the action of adrenaline. In experimental studies, hydroquinone has a pronounced effect on metabolism, oxygen absorption by tissues, blood levels of glucose, potassium, glutathione, has a positive effect on diabetic ketoacidosis, and gives a hypertensive effect in a number of experimental shock situations.

Medicines. Leaves, decoction, briquettes. The diuretic mixture includes bearberry leaves, cornflower flowers, and licorice root. Sometimes juniper fruits are taken instead of cornflower.

Application. Bearberry decoction is used for diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract (pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, cystitis) 1 tablespoon 5-6 times a day as a disinfectant and diuretic. When taking large doses, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and other side effects are possible. Decoctions and infusions have an unpleasant taste. Sometimes potassium acetate is added to the decoction to enhance the diuretic effect. Bearberry leaves are somewhat irritating to the epithelium of the urinary system, so they are combined with plants that have anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and diuretic effects.

Pharmacies sell cut bearberry herb in packs of 100 g. At home, a decoction is prepared from it: 5 g of leaves are poured into 100 ml of water at room temperature, boiled in a water bath for 30 minutes, filtered. The broth is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days.

Bearberry leaves are included in diuretic preparations. Under the influence of herbal remedies, diuresis increases and filtration increases. For pyelonephritis, the following collection is used: bearberry leaves, birch leaves, horsetail grass, licorice root 10 g each, lingonberry leaf, flax seed, nettle herb 20 g each. To prepare the infusion, 1 tablespoon of the mixture is poured into 200 ml of boiling water, heated over boiling water. water bath for 15 minutes, leave for 1 hour. Take 1/3 cup 2 times a day.

Common bearberry - Arctostaphylos uva-usi L. " style="border-style:solid;border-width:6px;border-color:#ffcc66;" width="250" height="313">
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Other names: Bearberry drupe, Bear grape, Bear ear, Bear berry, Tolokonko, Tolokonko.

Diseases and effects: bladder diseases, urinary tract diseases, urethral diseases, urolithiasis, malaria, diarrhea, sluggish digestion, pulmonary tuberculosis, nervous diseases, scrofula, ulcers, urinary retention, involuntary urination, bedwetting, involuntary leakage of sperm.

Active substances: flavonoids, quercetin, isoquercitrin, myricitrin, hyperoside, myricetin, malic acid, protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, ursolic acid, quinic acid, formic acid, tannins, arbutin, methylarbutin, querticin, myricitrin, mineral salts, essential oil.

Time to collect and prepare the plant: May June.

Botanical botanicals of bearberry

Creeping evergreen shrub of the family heathers (Ericaceae).

Branches they reach 100-120 cm in length.

Leaves small, obovate, leathery, shiny, overwintering.

Flowers small, pinkish, collected in drooping apical racemes.

Fruit- red, mealy, tasteless drupes with several dark red seeds.

Bearberry blooms in May - June.

Distribution and habitat of bearberry

The plant is found in the northern and central zones of the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Western and Eastern Siberia, and the Far East.

Grows in coniferous forests on sandy soil and between bushes, in dry sandy tundras.

Preparation of bearberry

The leaves of the plant are prepared for medicinal purposes. Raw materials are collected during flowering in May - June.

Chemical composition of bearberry

Bearberry leaves contain flavonoids (quercetin, isoquercitrin, myricitrin, hyperoside, myricetin), organic acids (malic, protocatechuic, gallic, ellagic, ursolic, cinchonic and formic), tannins (up to 35%) of the pyrogallic group, glycosides arbutin and methylarbutin. In addition, the plant contains querticin, myricitrin, mineral salts, and a small amount of essential oil.

Pharmacological properties of bearberry

Herbal preparations of bearberry have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and diuretic properties. The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is due to the large amount of tannins contained in the plant.

The antimicrobial properties of the plant are associated with the glycoside arbutin, which, under the influence of the arbutase enzyme contained in the leaves, is broken down into free hydroquinone and glucose. The second glycoside, methylarbutin, splits off the methyl ester upon hydrolysis and also releases hydroquinone.

The antiseptic properties of bearberry leaves are due to the antimicrobial and locally irritating effect of hydroquinone, which, in addition, being excreted in the urine through the kidneys, irritates the kidney tissue and increases urination.

Use of bearberry in medicine

Bearberry is widely used in folk medicine in various countries.

Infusions and decoctions of bearberry are used for diseases of the bladder, urinary tract, urethra and urolithiasis. Plant preparations have a disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect, as a result of which the urinary tract is cleared of bacterial flora and inflammatory products during therapy.

Also, plant preparations calm the nervous system. Bearberry infusion is also drunk for diarrhea, sluggish digestion, pulmonary tuberculosis, chest pain and nervous diseases.

In folk medicine of Karachay-Cherkessia, a decoction of the leaves is used for malaria and women's diseases.

In German folk medicine, an infusion of the leaves is used as a disinfectant for chronic inflammation of the bladder and urinary tract, urinary retention, involuntary urination, bedwetting, bloody urine, involuntary leakage of sperm and kidney stones.

Externally, an infusion or decoction of the leaves is used in the form of local baths, washes and compresses for scrofula, ulcers and purulent wounds.

When taking large doses of bearberry preparations, there may be an exacerbation of inflammatory phenomena in the urinary system and the development of renal symptoms as a result of prolonged irritation of the renal tubules. Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting are possible. To avoid side effects from long-term use of bearberry, it is usually used in combination with other plants that have anti-inflammatory and lyuretic properties, in the form of herbs and teas.

Dosage forms of bearberry, method of administration and dosage

Infusion of bearberry leaf (Infusum folii Uvae ursi): 10 g (1 tablespoon) of raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml (1 glass) of hot boiled water, heated in boiling water (in a water bath) for 15 minutes, cooled at room temperature for 45 minutes, filtered, the remaining raw materials squeeze out. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted to 200 ml with boiled water. The prepared infusion is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days.

Take 1/2-1/3 cup 3-5 times a day 40 minutes after meals.

Decoction of bearberry leaf (Decoctum folii Uvae ursi): 10 g (1 tablespoon) of raw material is placed in an enamel bowl, poured with 200 ml (1 glass) of hot boiled water and heated in boiling water (in a water bath) for 30 minutes, cooled at room temperature for 10 minutes, filtered, the remaining raw material squeeze out. The volume of the resulting decoction is adjusted to 200 ml with boiled water. The prepared broth is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days.

Take 1 tablespoon 3-5 times a day 40 minutes after meals.

Bearberry leaves are produced in packs of 100 g. Store in a cool, dry place.

Bearberry in collections of medicinal plants

Collection No. 183
Used for cardioneurosis

Collection No. 184
Used for toxicosis during pregnancy. According to the method of preparation and use - infusion.

Collection No. 185
Used for kidney stones. According to the method of preparation and use - infusion.