Bearberry is native to the northern hemisphere, particularly Europe, North America, Siberia, and the Altai Mountains. Bearberry leaves used medicinally come from wild collections in Spain and Italy. Importation from Eastern European countries has been banned due to species protection.
In herbal medicine, the dried leaves of bearberry (Uvae ursi folium) are used.
Typical characteristics of bearberry
Bearberry is a small evergreen shrub with small, leathery leaves that are shiny dark green on top. The smooth branches with reddish-brown, exfoliating bark spread flat above the ground, sometimes up to several feet wide.
The plant also bears white or reddish flowers growing in clusters, from which scarlet fruits develop. Because of the similarity, bearberry is often confused with cranberry.
Bearberry as a medicine
The drug consists of the rather thick, leathery leaves or the leaf fragments. The entire-edged leaves are hairless, in some cases the leaf margin is bent back. Quite young leaves bear thick, usually curved hairs.
Smell and taste of bearberry
Bearberry leaves do not emit a particularly characteristic odor. The taste of the leaves is somewhat bitter and astringent (astringent).
