Summary

Bearberry is a North American herb used traditionally for urinary tract infections (UTIs). The active compound is arbutin, a glycoside of hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a small reactive compound that creates free radicals and disrupts cell membranes. The addition of the sugar stabilizes it, but when certain bacteria like E. coli encounter it, they feed on the sugar and then activate the toxic hydroquinone that harms the bacteria. Use this herb in patients with a urinary tract infection with alkaline urine. Bearberry is recommended for short-term use only.

Indications

Urinary
• acute lower tract infections when urine is alkaline
• cystitis
• urinary tract infections (UTI)
• enuresis,
• urinary gravel
• prostatis

Actions

• Antiseptic (Urinary)
• Astringent
• Antispasmodic
• Antiinflammatory

Constituents

• Hydroquinone Glycosides (Arbutin)
• Tannins
• Flavonoids

Posology

• Tincture (1:5 in 25% EtOH): 2-4 ml tid
• Liquid extract (1:1 in 25% EtOH): 1.5-2.5 tid
• Decoction (dried herb): 2-4 g tid

Safety

Long-term use: Use with caution as arbutin may be carcinogenic.

Interactions

Unknown

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002