thumbnail|[[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]]

thumb|Arctostaphylos uva-ursi flowers

Bearberries are dwarf shrubs in the genus Arctostaphylos, especially the species A. uva-ursi, A. alpina, and A. rubra. Unlike most other species of Arctostaphylos (see manzanita), they are adapted to Arctic, subarctic, and alpine/subalpine climates and have a circumpolar distribution in northern North America, Asia and Europe.

thumb|150px|right|Common bearberry from Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885

Etymology

The genus name, Arctostaphylos, derives from the Greek arctos ("bear") and staphylos ("bunch of grapes").

The plant has flexible branches growing up to long covered with red, shredded bark and dark green, oval leaves. The fruits are gathered as food for humans, and the leaves are used in indigenous herbal medicine.

The plant contains diverse phytochemicals, including ursolic acid, tannic acid, gallic acid, some essential oils and resin, hydroquinones (mainly arbutin, up to 17%), tannins (up to 15%), phenolic glycosides and flavonoids.

Folk medicine

The dried leaves can be used in teas, liquid diffusions, tea bags or tablets for traditional medicine. Bearberry appears to be relatively safe, although large doses may cause nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, back pain and tinnitus. Cautions for use apply during pregnancy, breast feeding, or in people with kidney disease.

The efficacy and safety of bearberry treatment in humans remain unproven, and the inner bark of certain bushes such as red osier dogwood (silky cornell),

References

  • European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) (30 January 2018). Assessment report on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., folium, London