bearberry

Epidemiology

• 3 species of dwarf shrubs in the genus Arctostaphylos (manzanita) adapted to Arctic & subarctic climates
• distributed throughout Canada & the United States as far south as New Jersey & Wisconsin
• the edible fruit is a favorite food of bears
• dried leaves are the only part of the plant used in medicine

Indications

• used as a diuretic & in treatment of disease of the kidney & urinary bladder

Pharmacokinetics

• arbutin is excreted unchanged by the kidney

Adverse effects

• in large doses may cause nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, back pain & tinnitus

• drug adverse effects of diuretics
• drug adverse effects of antihypertensive agents

Mechanism of action

• contains arbutin, ursolic acid, tannic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, hydroquinones (up to 17%), tannins (up to 15%), phenolic glycosides & flavonoids
• diuretic effect due to arbutin, the major hydroquinone
• has soothing & astringent effects
• imparts tone to urinary passages

More general terms

• pharmaceutical herb; medicinal herb; herbal supplement; botanical
• diuretic