Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursiKinnikinnick means “mixture” in Algonquian languages; bearberry leaf is its best-known ingredient.
What is Bearberry?
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a plant of the Ericaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, North America. Part used: leaves.
What is Bearberry used for?
Traditional use: In eastern and northern Anatolia the leaf is brewed for burning urination; herbal shops sell it as “ayı üzümü yaprağı”. Scientific evidence: limited. The EMA recognises bearberry leaf for mild urinary infection symptoms, after a doctor has excluded more serious infection, as a short-term traditional use.
Is Bearberry safe?
Safety label: caution. Do not use for more than a week or more than five times a year; hydroquinone can harm the liver. Not for use in pregnancy, breastfeeding, under 18 or with kidney disease. It turns urine green-brown.
Traditional use
In eastern and northern Anatolia the leaf is brewed for burning urination; herbal shops sell it as “ayı üzümü yaprağı”.
The dried leaves are the base of kinnikinnick, a ceremonial smoking mix, smoked with or instead of tobacco in a pipe.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Red-berried lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is very similar; lingonberry leaves are dotted underneath.
Preparation
Leaves are soaked in cold water or briefly steeped; used for no more than a week.
What science says
The EMA recognises bearberry leaf for mild urinary infection symptoms, after a doctor has excluded more serious infection, as a short-term traditional use. Arbutin turns into hydroquinone in the body. In a comparative study in Germany (REGATTA) it was not as effective as an antibiotic.
Safety
Do not use for more than a week or more than five times a year; hydroquinone can harm the liver. Not for use in pregnancy, breastfeeding, under 18 or with kidney disease. It turns urine green-brown.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Medicines and foods that acidify urine (vitamin C supplements, cranberry juice) | May weaken arbutin. |
| Drugs that burden the liver | Hydroquinone adds strain on the liver. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Bearberry.
Similar plants
Sources
- EMA monographUvae ursi folium: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe