Bearberry, or bear ears, has long been used by the people as a medicinal herb that can cope with many diseases. The medicinal properties of the plant make it possible to use it in various areas of modern medicine.
Content
Description and photo of bearberry
Bearberry thickets can be found on forest edges, earthen embankments, in the coastal zone
Bearberry is a miniature shrub that spreads along the ground and can occupy large areas. It belongs to the Heather family, like its related plants - lingonberry and cranberry. The people call bearberry differently:
- tormentor;
- bear berry;
- bear's ear;
- bear grapes;
- oatmeal;
- tolokonka.
This perennial with stems from 30 to 130 cm in height and small emerald oval leaves with a glossy surface. The plant blooms from April to June with miniature flowers of a pale pink hue. Closer to autumn, red pea berries appear on the bushes, which have a tart sour taste.
The bear's ear mainly grows in Siberia, Canada, Transcaucasia and the Far East. The plant is included in the State Register of Medicines of the Russian Federation.
For medicinal purposes, the bearberry is used (in lat.Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). Moreover, the raw materials are often leaves and shoots, less often berries and flowers.
What is useful for a person
For medicinal purposes, bearberry leaves are mainly used.
The rich biochemical composition of bearberry determines its beneficial properties:
- diuretic;
- antivirus;
- bactericidal;
- anti-inflammatory;
- astringent;
- anti-cancer;
- immunomodulatory;
- choleretic;
- antiseptic.
The medicinal properties of bearberry help with the following health problems:
- hangover syndrome;
- violation of acid-base balance;
- malfunctions of the digestive system, including gastritis;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- stones in the kidneys;
- various kinds of inflammatory processes;
- swelling;
- diabetes;
- cystitis and chronic nephritis;
- gout;
- gynecological disorders (uterine fibroids, leucorrhoea, uterine bleeding);
- diathesis and other skin diseases;
- Graves' disease;
- pain in rheumatism and oncology.
Available contraindications
Bearberry overdose can lead to miscarriage
Bearberry, in addition to being beneficial, can be harmful in a number of cases. Contraindications include:
- period of childbearing and breastfeeding;
- children under 12 years of age;
- renal failure;
- a tendency to constipation;
- allergy to individual components in the composition.
In case of overdose, the following side effects are observed: nausea, gag reflex, fever and back pain. Therefore, before starting herbal medicine, you should consult your doctor.
It is unacceptable to use bearberry-based products in combination with alkaline drugs and alkaloids, which can cause significant harm to health.
Bearberry remedies at home: instructions for preparation and indications for use
Bearberry is endowed with powerful antiseptic and regenerating effects
If, in combination with the main course of treatment, the doctor prescribed an infusion or decoction of bearberry, then it is recommended to use universal recipes.
Broth:
- 40-50 g of dry leaves are ground to a powdery state and steamed with a glass of boiling water, placed in a water bath and kept for 15 minutes.
- Cool the product for 30-40 minutes and filter.
- Bring the existing volume to the original by adding clean boiled water.
- Take a decoction of 50-60 ml 3 times a day after meals.
Water infusion:
- A tablespoon of dried herbal raw materials is poured with 200 ml of boiled and slightly cooled water.
- The liquid is infused for about 10-12 hours, then filtered through cheesecloth.
- The finished medicine is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
- Drink it three times a day for 1/3 cup. It is advisable to drink a glass of warm water in half an hour after that, which will increase the therapeutic effect.
In addition, other products can be prepared from bearberry.
If with the help of bearberry, kidneys and urinary ducts are treated, then it is advisable to remove protein products from the daily diet. This is because they lead to urine oxidation. Plant foods are preferred to keep urine pH in the alkaline range. It is recommended to drink a glass of water in which 1 tsp is dissolved before taking preparations based on the bear's ear. soda.
Alcohol tincture
Tincture of alcohol helps with insomnia, alcohol addiction, disorders of the nervous system, urolithiasis and as a pain reliever. To prepare it you will need:
- bearberry leaves - 2 tbsp. l .;
- vodka - 250 ml.
Combine these two components, mix and put in a dark and warm place for 2 weeks. After the allotted time, filter the tincture and use it as directed. Use it 20-22 drops 3 times a day. However, the exact schedule and dosage are recommended to be clarified with a specialist, since it depends on the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Tea
Bearberry leaf tea is mainly prescribed for gastrointestinal diseases.
Cooking method:
- 80 g of dry crushed raw materials are measured.
- Brew it with boiling water.
- Leave the product to infuse until it cools down to 40aboutFROM.
- They filter and drink.
This drink is indicated for people suffering from gastrointestinal problems.
Table: herbal preparations
| Collection | Composition | Preparation | Application rules |
| Diuretic |
| Mix all the ingredients well and measure out 1 tbsp. l. Add boiling water and leave for 1 hour | 80 ml 2-3 times a day |
| With cystitis |
| 1-2 tbsp. l. the mixture is brewed with boiling water and kept for about 50-60 minutes | 60 ml three times a day (does not matter - before or after meals) |
| Sleep disturbance | In equal proportions by weight:
| 1 tbsp. l. the mixture is brewed in a glass of boiling water | 50-60 ml in three doses per day |
| With pyelonephritis |
| The mixture of herbs is poured into a thermos and steamed with hot water. Insist for about half an hour. You can store the infusion for 2 days in a cool place. | 100 ml twice a day |
| With atherosclerosis | In equal proportions by weight:
| Measure 35–40 g of the mixture and pour 400 ml of boiling water. Wrap the vessel with a thick towel and wait 2 hours | Half a glass 2 times - morning and evening |
Bearberry in pharmacology
In the pharmacy you can buy ready-made raw materials from bearberry
In homeopathy, bearberry is used for the production of drugs that have the following forms:
- crushed leaves for making infusions, decoctions and teas;
- alcohol tinctures;
- pills.
Decoctions are used both internally and externally as:
- inhalations;
- therapeutic baths;
- enemas;
- cosmetic products.
Alcohol tinctures are indicated for the normalization of the intestines and stomach. Pills are usually prescribed for an exacerbated stage of urolithiasis.
How to procure raw materials
After drying, the leaves should be uniform in color.
Bearberry leaves for further harvesting as a medicinal raw material are picked before flowering or at the stage of fruit ripening. If a large collection is planned, then the shoots are cut off with a sharp knife (you cannot pull them out together with the root). It should be noted that not all branches are removed from the bush, otherwise the plant will die.
Since bearberry thickets recover rather slowly, you can return to the same area to collect the plant no earlier than 5 years later.
At home, the leaves are cut off and laid out in an even layer under a canopy. You can use an electric dryer, where the temperature is set in the range of 55-60aboutC. Finished raw materials are packaged in cardboard boxes. Store it in a dry place for up to five years.
If you buy ready-made raw materials in a pharmacy, then there should be no doubts about its authenticity. The situation is different when referring to individuals. Then you will have to check the quality of the purchased bearberry yourself. To do this, prepare an infusion on water at a concentration of 1:50, after which a piece of copper sulfate is thrown into it. If the liquid first turns red and then lilac, then the grass is of high quality.
Reviews
Among the herbs in my home medicine cabinet is this collection. And all because bearberry is very useful for the prevention of diseases of the urinary tract.
Bearberry leaves were prescribed in our medicine cabinet long ago, as soon as I started having problems with the urinary system. It is a very effective diuretic anti-inflammatory agent that helps with swelling. From time to time, cystitis torments (whoever was sick, he knows what unpleasant pains he has). At the first symptoms I start drinking bearberry and on the second or third day I feel an improvement. For prevention, once a year (in spring or autumn) I drink this tea from bearberry leaves in courses of 7-10 days.
About six months ago, I had kidney inflammation, I was taken to the hospital by ambulance. In short, the condition was grave. The doctors, of course, began to treat me with antibiotics, but all they managed to do was to bring down the temperature (this is far from the merit of antibiotics) and slightly alleviate my condition. Soon I was discharged with a bunch of medications. Upon arriving home, I started googling every possible treatment for my kidney. Found one method "7 herbs - 7 weeks." According to this technique, it was necessary to drink herbs for seven weeks, each week its own herb. First on the list was bearberry. I went to the pharmacy and bought some weed. After the start of treatment, I felt an improvement on the third day. The pain did not go away completely, but it became much easier, and the kidneys seemed to have become not so heavy.
The benefits of bearberry in folk medicine have been noted for a long time. Therefore, the plant is actively used to treat various ailments of both women and men.
