Bearberry: Effects, Uses, and Dosage

The true bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), also known as the evergreen bearberry, is a heath family plant native to the northern hemisphere. This widespread plant grows almost everywhere on the continents of North America, Europe, and northern Asia. It can also be found in Germany.

It prefers rocky to sandy, dry soils, ideally in the midst of mountain and pine forests. As a dwarf shrub, it also thrives in heathlands. A sunny to partially shaded spot with cool or warm temperatures and sufficient humidity is beneficial for it.

Bearberry was known as a medicinal plant to the American indigenous peoples. They used it for bladder and urinary tract issues – an application that is still popular today. It has antibacterial properties and can help with diarrhea. Brew bearberry into a fresh tea. It is often included in tea blends for the bladder.

Caution: We advise against self-medication, as an overdose of bearberry can irritate the stomach. Consult your doctor for advice on taking it.

The contained arbutin has an antibacterial effect. Additionally, bearberry contains tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and triterpenes. Tannins are also said to have antimicrobial and astringent effects.

The attractive heath plant is a low shrub that typically does not grow higher than 30 centimeters. Its long branches bear evergreen, oval leaves, which are very densely packed at the top. Delicate white-pink bell-shaped flowers appear between April and June.

Since our northern hemisphere, where bearberry grows, is under the constellation of the Great Bear, it likely got its Latin name from there. Translated into German, this resulted in the name bearberry.