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Bearberry (bear's ear). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Content

1. Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
2. Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
3. Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
4. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
5. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Bearberry (bear's ear), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Arctostaphylos

Family: Ericaceae (in heathers)

Origin: North hemisphere

Area: Eurasia, North America

Chemical composition: The leaves of the plant contain hydroquinone, arbutin, tannins and flavonoids.

Economic value: Bearberry is used in pharmacology as an antiseptic, diuretic, antipyretic and choleretic agent. The plant is also used in cosmetology and perfumery. In folk medicine, bearberry is prescribed for the treatment of urolithiasis, cystitis, gastritis and peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.

Legends, myths, symbolism: Bearberry can be a symbol of strength and endurance. In some cultures, she is associated with the bear, which is also known for its strength and endurance. Its leathery leaves and red berries can be a reminder of strength and vitality. In modern culture, bearberry can be a symbol of strength, endurance and health. It can be used in magical practices to give energy and strength, as well as to treat urinary tract infections and skin diseases.

Bearberry (bear's ear), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Description, illustrations of the plant

Bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) spreng. Botanical description, habitat and habitats, chemical composition, use in medicine and industry

Synonyms: bearberry, bear's eye, tormentor, bearberry.

Evergreen, perennial, prostrate, branched shrub 25-130 cm high, heather family (Ericaceae).

The leaves are alternate, dark green, leathery, oblong-ovate, 12-26 mm long, 4-9 mm wide.

The flowers are pinkish, 5-6 mm long, collected in short apical racemes. The fruit is a red five-seeded, mealy, globular berry 6-8 mm in diameter.

Flowering in May, fruiting in July - September.

Range and habitats. It grows in the northern and middle strip of the European part of Russia, in Western Siberia, in all regions of Eastern Siberia and the Far East. Occasionally found in the mountains of the Western Caucasus. Grows mainly in dry pine forests, open sandy places, seaside rocks. This species is typical of the northern hemisphere forest zone.

Chemical composition. The leaves contain 8%, sometimes 16-25% arbutin, as well as methylarbutin. The leaves also contain about 30-35% of tannins of the pyrogallic group, gallic acid - 6%, gallotannin, ellagic acid, ellagotanin, free hydroquinone, ursolic acid 0,4-0,75%), uvaol, hyperoside, quercetin and isoquercitrin, myricitrin, quercitrin and myricetin, quinic, formic acid, a small amount of essential oil.

Application in medicine. Plant preparations have an antiseptic effect mainly in the urinary system. The antiseptic effect is due to hydroquinine, which is formed in the body during the hydrolysis of arbutin and excreted in the urine. Urine turns green or dark green.

Bearberry is used for cystitis. It has a disinfecting and diuretic effect, due to which the urinary tract is "washed" from the products of inflammation and at the same time disinfected. Due to the tannins contained in the leaves, they have an astringent effect on the gastrointestinal tract.

When taking large doses, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and other side effects are possible. Decoctions and infusions have an unpleasant taste.

Other uses. The leaves and stems are used for tanning and dyeing leather in gray and black tones.

Used to cover dry sandy soils and rocky hills. Bearberry is relatively resistant to fire, which has some fire-fighting value for the forest.

Authors: Turova A.D., Sapozhnikova E.N.

Bearberry (bear's ear). Basic information about the plant, use in medicine

Evergreen creeping shrub 25-130 cm high of the heather family. Blossoms in May - June, fruits ripen in July - August. The fruits are wax-red berries, flattened, mealy drupes with five seeds, inedible.

The leaves contain 6-15% arbutin glycoside, 30-35% tannins, 6% gallic acid and other organic acids, flavonoids, a small amount of essential oil, minerals.

Bearberry preparations are used in medicine in many countries as an antiseptic and diuretic in inflammatory processes of the urinary tract (pyelitis, cystitis, urethritis). The therapeutic effect is due to the bactericidal and diuretic properties of hydroquinone, which is formed during the hydrolysis of arbutin.

In Tibetan medicine, the leaves are taken internally for gastritis, increased acidity of gastric juice; externally - as a wound healing.

In folk medicine, the leaves were recommended for cystitis, nephrolithiasis and other kidney diseases.

Authors: Dudnichenko L.G., Krivenko V.V.

Bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Botanical description of the plant, area, methods of application, cultivation

The scientific generic name Arctostaphylos is derived from the ancient Greek arctos - "bear" and stafilu - "vine". The specific epithet uva-ursi is from the same words, but Latin (uva - grapes and ursus - bear).

Perennial evergreen, strongly branched creeping shrub 5-30 cm high.

Stems procumbent, branched, rooting and ascending. The leaves are oblong, obovate, leathery, narrowed at the base into a short petiole, rounded at the apex. In color - light green below, matte, dark green above, shiny, with a well-defined net of depressed veins. The leaf margin is entire, not pubescent. The leaf arrangement is alternate, the venation is reticulate.

The inflorescence is a short apical raceme, consisting of several drooping white-pink flowers on short pedicels. Corolla pitcher with five-toothed limb, inside - with stiff hairs. Anthers dark red, with appendages, open at the top with holes. The style is slightly shorter than the rim. Blooms in May-June.

The fruit is a bright red berry-like coenocarp drupe 6-8 mm in diameter, with mealy pulp with five seeds. Outwardly, bearberry berries are similar to lingonberries, but they are significantly inferior to them in taste. The fruits ripen in August-September.

Widely distributed in North America and northern Eurasia. A relatively rare species in Central Russia, found mainly in the non-chernozem zone. Also found in the Caucasus.

It grows in sparse dry pine and deciduous forests, burnt areas and clearings, on coastal dunes and scree. Prefers open, well-lit places and does not tolerate competition from other plants. Within its range it occurs scattered, in clumps.

Bearberry leaves contain phenol glycosides - arbutin (8-16%), methyl-arbutin, erikolin; free hydroquinone, tannins of the pyrogallic group, ursolic acid, flavonoids resembling quercetin in structure, phenolcarboxylic acids - gallic acid.

Bearberry berries contain many useful substances, but unlike the berries of similar and closely related lingonberries, they do not have the same taste qualities. The taste of bearberry berries is almost tasteless, in the mouth they resemble cotton wool. Therefore, bearberry berries did not take root as a food plant, even among northern peoples who can survive on "pasture". Even if it is added to compotes, fruit drinks and jams, it is only mixed with lingonberries, and most often - simply by mistake or accidentally collecting similar berries.

The pharmacological properties of bearberry are due to the content of the phenol glycoside arbutin in its leaves. When ingested, arbutin is hydrolyzed to hydroquinone, which irritates the renal parenchyma, thereby causing a diuretic effect. Due to the tannins contained in the leaves, they have an astringent effect on the gastrointestinal tract.

Bearberry leaves are used in the form of a decoction as a diuretic and disinfectant for urolithiasis, cystitis, urethritis. Included in the fees "Brusniver-T", "Stopal", "Rolecramin", diuretics No. 1 and 2, urological fees. Bearberry leaf powder is used to make Uriflorin tablets. The leaves are also used in homeopathy.

Bearberry leaves (Folium Uvae ursi) and shoots of bearberry (Cormus Uvae ursi) are used as medicinal raw materials, which are harvested in spring, before flowering, or in autumn, during the period of full ripening of fruits. The shoots are cut and dried under sheds or in dryers with good ventilation, the leaves are separated from the stems or the whole young shoots are used.

Bearberry is used as a medicinal (see above), tanning and dyeing plant. The leaves are suitable for tanning leather and dyeing wool. The fruits serve as food for upland game.

Bearberry (bear's ear), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

Ethnoscience:

• Treatment of urinary tract infections: Grind 1 tablespoon of dried bearberry leaves and pour 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 30 minutes, then strain and drink 1/4 cup three times a day before meals. Continue taking 5-7 days.
• Treatment of diabetes: mix 1 teaspoon each of bearberry, nettle and birch buds. Pour 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 1 hour. Strain and drink 1/2 cup 3 times daily before meals.
• Treatment of skin diseases: prepare an infusion of 2 tablespoons of bearberry and 1 cup of boiling water. Pass through cheesecloth and apply to skin several times a day.

Cosmetology:

• Rejuvenating mask: mix 1 tablespoon of bearberry and 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply to face for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
• Tonic: infuse 1 tablespoon of bearberry in 1 cup of boiling water. Strain and refrigerate. Use as a facial toner.
• Moisturizing hair mask: mix 2 tablespoons of bearberry, 2 tablespoons of burdock and 1 cup of boiling water. Insist 1 hour, then strain. Apply to hair for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Bearberry (bear's ear), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Bearberry, also known as bear's eye, is a shrub that is common in the northern latitudes of Eurasia and North America. The leaves of this plant are used in traditional medicine to treat the urinary system and also to fight urinary tract infections.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing:

Cultivation:

• Bearberry can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or splitting the rhizome.
• The plant prefers sunny places with good drainage soil.
• It is recommended to plant bearberry in spring or autumn.
• The plant can grow up to 60 cm in height and up to 2 m in width, so it is necessary to provide enough space for it to grow.
• Regular watering and fertilizing can help achieve better results.

Preparation and storage:

• Bearberry leaves are harvested in June-August.
• Dry the leaves in a shady place with good ventilation.
• Leaves are stored in tightly closed dark glass or plastic containers.
• Store bearberry in a cool, dry place.

Please note that bearberry can have contraindications and side effects if used incorrectly, so a doctor or other healthcare professional should be consulted before use.

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