Arctostaphylos uva ursi
(Bearberry)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Antibacterial against both gram positive and negative bacteria
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Anti-tumor activity
• Astringent
• Cholagogue
• Diuretic
• Effective against:
  
  Bacteria
  Cutaneous leishmaniasis
  Giardia
  Protozoa
  Yeast
• Promotes elimination of catabolic residues
• Reduces uterine spasms
• Supports the immune system
• Urinary antiseptic

Clinical Indications:

• Allergies
• Cystitis
• Dysmenorrhea
• Eczema
• Cholecystitis
• Hemorrhoids
• Peptic ulcers
• Psoriasis
• Acne
• Amebiasis
• Cholera
• Circulatory disorders
• Hemorrhaging disorders
• Influenza and colds
• Lacerations and puncture wounds - topically
• Menorrhagia
• Pain associated with pelvic disorders

Contraindications:

• CNS (central nervous system) hyperfunction
• Gastrointestinal inflammation - Crohn's disease, IBS, ulcerative colitis
• Pregnancy due to the uterine stimulants, berberine, palmatine, jatorrhizine and columbamine

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Urinary acidifer drugs inhibit conversion of arbutin to the active form, hydroquinone, decreasing the effectiveness of bearberry

Chemical Constituents:

• Achilleic acid, identical to aconitic acid
• Alkaloids:
  
  Achilleine
  Betonicine
  Stachydrine
• Alkanes
• Apigenin, an antispasmodic agent
• Betaine
• Calcium salts
• Earthly ash consisting of nitrates, phosphates, and chlorides of potash and line
• Fatty acids:
  
  Linoleic
  Oleic
  Palmatic
• Lactones
• Potassium
• Rutin
• Saponins
• Salicylic acid (anti-inflammatory anodyne organic acid)
• Succinic acid
• Sterols - Beta sitosterol
• Trigonelline
• Volatile oils:
  
  Azulene
  Camphor
  Cineol
  Pinene
  Sabinene

Toxicity:

• Convulsions in very large doses

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).