Bearberry
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Botanical Name |
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi |
|
Family |
Ericaceae |
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Other Names |
Arberry, bear's grape, dog berry, kinnikinick, mealberry, moanague mountain box, mountain cranberry, red bearberry, red box, sagackhomi, sandberry, upland cranberry, uva-ursi, whortberry |
|
Habitat |
Woods, moors, banks, rocks in damp shady places |
|
Description |
Evergreen shrub. Up to 20cm/8in. Trailing stems and branches. Leaves-dark green , paler under surface, spatulate, ovate, leathery, 2cm long, 0.5-1cm wide, margins entire. Flowers-clusters, white, pinkish flowers bloom May-August. Bright red berries in autumn. |
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Native to |
Britain, Europe, Northern Asia, Northern Japan, North America |
|
Part Used |
Leaves |
|
Harvesting |
Leaves can be gathered anytime but best in Spring/Summer. |
|
Preserving |
Store in jars |
|
Actions |
Antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic |
|
Constituents |
Glycosides: ericolin, 6% tannin, resin Hydroquinones: arbutin, methylatbutin, 4-hydroxyacetophenone glucosides, galloyl arbutin Iridoids, monotropein Flavonoids: quercitrin, isoquercitrin, myricactrin, unedoside Polyphenolic acids and tannins: gallic acid, methyl gallate and their glycosides Triterpenes: alpha amyrin, beta amyrin, ursolic acid Volatile oil |
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Genito – urinary |
Kidney, urinary tract, bladder |
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Other Uses |
Tanning industries in Sweden and Russia |
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Other Notes |
Berries liked by the European bear –hence the name Use turns urine green |
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Caution |
Do not use unless directed by a qualified herbalist. Never take whilst pregnant or if you have kidney problems |