Bearberry, also known as Uva Ursi, is a dwarf, evergreen shrub that can be found growing in North America, Europe, and northern Asia. This plant can be recognized in the wild from its small, shiny red berries. These bright red berries are a favorite among woodland creatures, especially bears. They are also edible to humans and since ancient times, people often gather them for food. They can be eaten raw or cooked. When eaten raw, these berries are dry and almost tasteless. On the other hand, cooking bearberries bring out their natural sweetness, making them taste similar to cranberries. These red berries are great for making jam, preserves, and cool beverages. They can also enhance the flavor of stews and sauces.
Aside from the berries, bearberry leaves are also edible. Dried bearberry leaves can be brewed to make a refreshing and healthy herbal tea. This tea is often used to treat infections and to prevent kidney problems. Also, combining bearberry leaves with certain herbs can enhance its medicinal properties. People usually mix them with yarrow, dandelion leaves, hydrangea, corn silk, or couchgrass to make herbal teas.
Bearberry tea is nutrient rich. It contains several B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It also contains antioxidants such as tannins and flavonoids. Native Americans have been using bearberry leaves to make herbal medicine for thousands of years. It helps with urinary tract problems, including kidney infections, kidney stones, urethra infection, excess urination, and painful urination. Additionally, it’s also drank to treat other conditions such as fever, water retention, indigestion, back pain, rheumatism, constipation, bronchitis, and diabetes. A bearberry tea can also serve as a mouthwash for mouth ulcers, cankers, and sore gums.
Bearberry leaves can be used topically as well. To do this, the leaves are crushed and then used to make a poultice. This poultice can be applied onto wounds, cuts, and burns to help them heal and to prevent bacterial infections. Bearberry poultice can treat rheumatism, back pain, sores, rash, and other skin conditions as well.
As far as growing bearberry, it is a wonderful addition for any garden. The thick green foliage looks great as a ground cover. Then, since this plant is evergreen, it’s also beautiful in the winter when most other plants wilt. Moreover, bearberry can help attract pollinators, especially hummingbirds and butterflies, to help your garden thrive. And of course, as an added bonus, you’ll get a convenient food and herbal medicine source in your own backyard.
Bearberry isn’t particularly hard to grow, but it’s a rather slow-grower, taking a significant amount of time to settle down and mature. For the best result, choose a cool area with full sun or partial sun exposure. Bearberry prefers well-drained, sandy soil, but it can also tolerate poor soil conditions. This hardy plant is also able to tolerate drought and salty environment, making it great for gardens near the coast or cold areas where the roads are often salted.
Medicinally and for culinary purposes, these berries should only be consumed in small amounts for a short period of time. Overconsumption of bearberry can result in adverse side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tinnitus, liver damage, breathing problems, and convulsions. Pregnant women should avoid bearberry as it may reduce blood supply for the fetus and induce early labor. It’s also not recommended for breastfeeding women.
Purchase herbs: If you want to purchase good quality herbs, please consider using this affiliate link to purchase them.
Free bi-monthly herbal/natural medicine educational newsletter via email: Click this link to sign up!
Need a naturopathic doctor on call? Consider a wellness membership. Click this link to find out more!
If you would like to find out more about the author please consider visiting this link.
Stay natural!
~Dr. Amanda P. Cartwright