Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

An exceptionally effective remedy for inflammation of the bladder and urethra. It is most effective when combined with a small amount of baking soda. Bearberry should not be taken in excessive quantities.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) originates from northern Europe and has been used for centuries by Icelanders, the Sámi, and Finns.

Numerous recent studies have shown that the active constituents of bearberry act as very powerful antibacterials. It has long been known to be highly effective in treating urinary tract infections such as cystitis and urethritis, as well as ulcers caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, and in cases of food poisoning and diarrhea. In combating bacteria that cause urinary infections, bearberry is considerably more effective when the urine is more alkaline than acidic. During treatment with bearberry preparations, a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables and low in meat and dairy products is recommended.

Another way to increase alkalinity is to take baking soda. The red, mealy berries are edible, but their taste is tart and astringent, so they are rarely eaten raw. They are more often dried. In Norway, they are ground and mixed with flour for bread. Bearberry is a low, prostrate, creeping evergreen shrub with a highly branched stem that grows from 20 to 50 cm. It can live for more than 100 years. It grows mostly in light mountain pine forests, on heaths, on sunny rocky slopes, and among shrubs. Because bearberry leaves are often gathered for medicinal purposes, there is a risk that this plant could be completely extirpated in some areas. It is therefore better to cultivate it from seed in autumn or from cuttings in summer. It will thrive in a sunny or lightly shaded position.

Caution: Bearberry tea must not be consumed for longer than one week. No more than five courses per year are permitted. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for individuals with kidney disease. During treatment, urine may take on a reddish color, which indicates that the tea is working. In children and in people with sensitive stomachs, it may cause stomach pain and vomiting. In such cases, substitute lingonberry leaves.

Tea for urinary tract infection

Ingredients: 3 g dried bearberry leaves, 250 ml water, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Crush the bearberry leaves into a powder and pour a cup of boiling water over them. Let it steep for ten minutes, strain, then add the baking soda.

Use: Three to four cups per day. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

Herbal blend for bladder inflammation

Ingredients: 25 g bearberry leaf, 25 g valerian root, 25 g lemon balm leaf, and 25 g wild thyme herb

Combine the dried herbs and place them in a jar. To prepare the tea, pour a cup of boiling water over two teaspoons of the blend and let it steep for about ten minutes.

Take one to three cups per day. This blend is particularly suitable when inflammation is accompanied by bladder spasms and a frequent urge to urinate.