Bearberry leaves can be taken as a tea or in the form of coated tablets, tablets or drops containing an extract (extract) of the leaves.
Bearberry as a tea
The tea is also available in pre-packaged filter bags, but the quality is usually better with loose leaf. Another minus point of the filter bags is that they should be brewed with hot water. However, this procedure is suboptimal for bearberry due to the tannins it contains (see below).
Furthermore, bearberry is present alone or in combination with other plants in teas of the bladder/kidney group. In combination teas, however, the proportion of bearberry leaves is often low.
The correct dosage
As an average daily dose, 3 g of bearberry leaves or 400-840 mg of hydroquinone derivatives can be taken up to four times per day. The single doses (3 g) can be poured over 150 ml of water each time for infusions or cold macerations.
Bearberry: preparation of the tea.
To prepare a tea from bearberry leaves, 2.5 g of the finely chopped or coarsely powdered leaves (1 teaspoon equals about 2.5 g) are poured over boiling water and after 15 minutes passed through a tea strainer. However, it must be noted that when exposed to heat, the tannins contained in the tea increase and can irritate the stomach. The taste of the tea is also more bitter due to the tannins.
A better alternative is to pour cold water over the leaves and let them steep for 6-12 hours, stirring occasionally. This cold water extract (cold macerate) contains as much arbutin, but less tannins. One cup each of the warmed tea can be drunk 3-4 times a day.
Contraindications: When should bearberry be avoided?
Bearberry leaves should not be taken during pregnancy and by children under 12 years of age. Taking the leaves is also not recommended during breastfeeding because the passage of arbutin or hydroquinone into breast milk has not yet been studied. Bearberry leaves should also not be taken in cases of severe liver or kidney disease.
Bearberry should not be taken for a period longer than one week without medical advice. It should also not be used more frequently than five times a year.
How should bearberry leaves be stored?
Bearberry leaves should be stored in a dry, cool place away from light.
