Bearberry: medicinal properties and contraindications

It is no secret that most plants are characterized by healthy indicators. Due to such qualities, they belong to the healing plant components and are used to treat various diseases. Due to its beneficial qualities, such raw materials are successfully used in traditional medicine recipes. For example, if there are violations of the urinary system, such a representative of the flora as bearberry may come in handy. It acts as an additional tool to the main drug treatment. Bearberry allows you to remove the unpleasant symptoms of many pathologies.

Chemical composition

As part of this plant, many chemical elements were found. So, flavonoids and gallonic acid are present in it. They are designed to destroy pathogenic microflora. Their antioxidant properties are also known. This feature of the product allows you to inhibit the activity of dangerous radicals, which lead to aging of the body at the cell level.

Another special substance of such a medicinal herb is arbutin. Under the influence of this component, the outflow of urine is restored, as a result of which its reverse absorption by the kidneys stops.

The presence of tannins indicates a bonding effect. This property allows you to cope with diarrhea, as well as strengthen the intestinal wall.

In addition, a high concentration of ursolic acid was found in the product, which is characterized by a pronounced effect against inflammatory processes and microflora affected by microbes.

Hydroquinone in the composition of the herb acts as a whitening agent for the skin. In addition, the consumption of medicinal raw materials allows you to saturate all organs with oxygen, which is to some extent recommended for people with asthma.

How it looks and where it grows

Bearberry has another name. So, also called a bear’s ear, it is a representative of the Heather family. According to the characteristics of growth, the grass belongs to the category of perennial plants, which are characterized by a low stem. White-pink flowers. Bearberry blooms from mid-spring to early summer. Outwardly, it is very similar to lingonberry. Often these two cultures are confused due to similar leaves. But along with this there are still certain differences.

A bear’s ear grows in cold regions. You can usually find this grass in dry areas, deciduous forests and clearings. She prefers sandy soil and plenty of sunlight. So, the grass grows in the Far East, in Siberia. Almost all parts of the culture possess therapeutic properties, which are used both in fresh and dried form. During preparation, you do not need to tear off the leaves, or rather, carefully cut them with scissors. If there is not enough moisture, bearberry growth slows down, the leaves become coarser and browner, after which the shoots completely die off.

Collection and storage

For therapeutic purposes, shoots and foliage of the culture, which are prepared in the spring or autumn, are used. The collection of raw materials is carried out in April, before the beginning of the flowering stage, and in autumn, when the process of ripening of berries ends, since at that time the largest amount of healing substances is concentrated in it.During harvesting, you must be careful, as new branches begin to grow in the culture, which darken when dried, which is unacceptable. The cut off parts should be no more than 3 cm long. It should be noted that it is possible to re-collect natural raw materials on the same site only after a few years. When preparing, it is important not to pull the plant along with the root, since after that it does not recover.

Drying grass is recommended in the attic. If for this purpose a special drying device is used, then the temperature in it should be maintained at a level not exceeding 60 degrees. When the material dries, you can carefully remove the leaves.

Dried product is packaged in glass containers with a tight lid. Canvas bags are also suitable for storage. The healing properties of this raw material are preserved for two years. After the specified period, the use of bearberry is not recommended. Dry bear’s eye has a bitter and astringent taste. During the collection of plants should be careful not to confuse it with lingonberry grass.

How to distinguish bearberry from lingonberry

Often lingonberry culture is issued under the guise of bearberry. There will be no serious danger from such treatment, but you should not expect any benefit from a specific prescription either. What unites these two species is that they belong to the same family and externally have similar indicators. The problem is that cowberry fruits can be eaten, moreover, they are very useful, and bearberry has inedible and even poisonous berries. But the distinctive qualities of these cultures are enough. You just need to carefully study them and take into account when harvesting raw materials.

1. First of all, it is worth noting that the bear’s ear grows on dry and often barren soils, while lingonberries prefer moist areas with fertile soil.
2. The height of bearberry does not exceed 30 cm, as for lingonberries, it is not more than 15 cm in height.
3. The roots of the plant in question are located on the soil surface and do not form mycorrhiza with the fungus, the stems are prone and branched. Lingonberry roots are located horizontally, often on the rhizome a fungus multiplies, which forms mycorrhiza with grass. The shoots of the plant in question are slightly elevated; thickets do not form with growth.
4. It is not for nothing that the bearberry ordinary is popularly called the bear’s ear, because in the form the leaves resemble a bear’s ear, that is, they are wide above and narrowed below. The leaves of lingonberry are slightly oblong, obovate, dark specks on the lower plate.
5. The berries of the first plant are tasteless, while lingonberry fruits have a pleasant sweet and sour taste. But before you try the taste, you should study them externally. So, lingonberry berries look like red balls with a shiny skin, on top of which there is a dried cup. When the fruits fully ripen, they become soft. Bearberry fruits have only a small hollow in the center of the berry. Even if they are ripe, they still have a hard surface.

If there is an opportunity to check chemically and find out which plant actually exists, you can use the method described in the Pharmacopoeia. Here is the whole sequence of the analysis, which will reveal the falsification. To do this, you must first prepare a water infusion in a ratio of 1:50. After this, add iron sulfate to the resulting mixture. One crystal is enough. If, as a result of such manipulations, the liquid first acquires a red color, then purple, and at the end a dark purple precipitate appears, then the raw material is actually bearberry. If cowberry raw materials were taken for analysis, then such reactions will not occur.

You can also add a few drops of iron-ammonium alum to the same infusion. The decoction of the bear’s abalone should turn dark blue. If a green-black color appears, then this is a lingonberry.

Despite the similarity in external characteristics, these two plants have a number of differences if we study them in more detail.

The healing properties of bearberry leaves

1. The grass is endowed with a disinfecting effect on the excretory system. When used, the bacterial flora is destroyed. This allows you to eliminate the signs of the inflammatory process.
2. This plant is also useful for problems with the gastrointestinal tract. As already noted, the product is characterized by an astringent property, which helps to treat inflammatory bowel disorders. Also, the use of bearberry can get rid of trouble associated with the stomach.
3. Such medicinal raw materials are useful for people suffering from diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, and disorders in the activity of the cardiovascular system.
4. Bear ears are also effective for visual impairment. Grass will help relieve symptoms that cause conjunctivitis or blepharitis.
5. For people with cancer, the plant can be used as an anesthetic. Also, the product is recommended to be consumed for this purpose with articular rheumatism and gouty arthritis.
6. Bearberry provides the elimination of toxins and toxic substances from the body. It is added to fees that have a diuretic effect. Infusions from this plant are effective for cystitis and urethritis. It is recommended to use it in the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, uterine bleeding. The product has a beneficial effect in case of neurosis and impaired material metabolism.
7. Due to the antiseptic properties of the external use of bearberry, purulent wounds can be cured.
8. Due to hydroquinone in the composition, it has a rejuvenating and whitening effect, in addition, it works as a cleanser.
9. Bearberry is included in various pharmaceutical preparations that are used as an astringent, as well as to alleviate the condition of heartburn, indigestion, gastritis, colitis, and other digestive tract pathologies. To eliminate diarrhea and inflammation of the gastric mucosa, milk decoctions of berries of the culture are used.
10. With external use, the plant allows you to smooth out wrinkles, brighten the dermis and give it a healthy appearance, reduce inflammatory formations and black spots. There are a number of cosmetics based on bearberry ordinary. For example, creams intended for cleansing pores are currently being made from it. Most cosmetics manufacturers produce formulations for dry and sensitive skin. Judging by the numerous reviews, such tools are quite effective.

For women

The unique composition of bearberry makes it possible to use the plant to combat various female diseases. In gynecological practice, this medicinal herb is used to eliminate whiteness, treat cystitis, as well as conditions associated with excessive reduction of myometrium. The product is effective in a number of sexually transmitted pathologies.

To eliminate cystitis, an infusion from such a culture should be made. To do this, take 2 tbsp. dried raw materials and add 0.5 l of water, previously boiled. For two days, the solution is insisted in a dark place. Strain before use. Apply a healing mixture on a full stomach in an amount of 50 ml. The procedure is repeated three times a day after meals, for ten days.

You can also prepare a remedy consisting of a complex of herbs. To do this, you need 25 g of bear’s abalone, 7 g of chopped parsley, 25 g of hernia and 5 g of celandine. All ingredients should be thoroughly mixed, pour 0.3 liters of boiling water. Infuse the mixture for about 60 minutes. Treatment last 10 days. The one-time norm of the obtained drug is 50 g, a composition should be taken three times a day. As a result of this treatment, the kidneys are cleansed and the inflammation in the bladder is suppressed.

The treatment of leucorrhoea is carried out due to the antibacterial property of the plant.In this case, douching is used when detecting infections associated with the reproductive system, for example gonorrheal leucorrhoea. To obtain a healing composition, pour 1 tsp. raw materials 125 ml of boiling water. The mixture should be infused for an hour. Douching is done twice a day - after waking up and before bedtime. It is not recommended to consume infusions and decoctions in excessive quantities, since as a result of this, side effects from the digestive tract may appear.

Uterine bleeding can be stopped by applying a bath. In this case, you need 70 g of shredded bearberry foliage and 300 ml of liquid. The raw materials must be cooked for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly. After that, cool the mixture and filter. Then fill the sitz bath with water and add all the resulting solution to it. Such baths are recommended before bedtime. The duration of the procedure is no longer than 20 minutes. The beneficial effect of the healing composition is due to the fact that it acts as an antiseptic.

For men

Bearberry is a useful substance not only for the fairer sex. It is also used to restore men's health, because the plant can eliminate a disease such as prostatitis.

To do this, prepare the tincture. It will take 2 tbsp. bear ears. You will also need to dilute a small amount of the alcoholic beverage with water to obtain a solution with a strength of 40 degrees. Then pour the dried raw material with this mixture. For these purposes, 1/2 cup of alcohol will be enough. Infusion should be carried out within 14 days, provided that the mixture is in a dark room. The finished drug is consumed 20 drops three times a day, after a meal. This tool retains its useful qualities only two days.

The use of bearberry as a tincture has shown its usefulness regarding the treatment of prostatitis. This is explained by the fact that the composition eliminates inflammation, kills the microbial environment. In addition, this mixture can be drunk as a preventive measure.

There is also a recipe for making an infusion intended for the treatment of prostatitis. In this case, it is necessary to fill in 20 g of raw material with 250 ml of boiling water and insist for 12 hours in a warm place. The finished composition is used in an amount of 2 tbsp. three times a day after meals. Such a preparation should be prepared every two days.

During pregnancy

Girls in position should refuse to consume products containing this component. This is due to the fact that bearberry is able to affect uterine tone. As a result of this, the contraction of the organ is intensified, which can provoke childbirth earlier than the due date.

If, nevertheless, the woman carrying the baby decides to use the herbal product for medicinal purposes, it is necessary to first consult with a specialist. The doctor in this case will determine the permissible dosage for a particular person, depending on the course of this period and the individual characteristics of the body. But still, it is not worth abusing the product, as this can adversely affect the health of the unborn child.

When breastfeeding

During breastfeeding, you should not use a bear's ear. If there is a positive effect of grass on the health of an adult, this does not mean that it will be beneficial for the baby. If bearberry enters the baby's body along with breast milk, such a product can harm the baby.

For children

The plant can not be used for children under 12 years old.

When losing weight

This medicinal raw material helps to lose weight due to the ability to remove excess fluid from the body and restore digestion by accelerating metabolic processes.

Bearberry, which is used for weight loss, contains components such as flavonoids, which protect against all viruses and destroy dangerous microorganisms, strengthening immunity; tanning elements that have a beneficial effect on intestinal motility; Arbutin, which eliminates fluid from the body and acts as a diuretic.

To get rid of excess weight, you should prepare a product from 100 g of dried leaves, which will need to be poured with 1 liter of hot water. The solution must be infused 24 hours. After that, take the ready-made broth 20 minutes before eating.

You can also mix equal amounts of a bear’s eye, a string, corn stigmas and birch leaves, pour them with 1 liter of boiled water and again insist a day. The finished product should be drunk every day after eating in an amount of 100 ml.

You can make bearberry tea. To do this, 2 tbsp. pour dried grass in a cup of cold water. The mixture should be infused for a day. Then drink the drink in a warm state.

The use of bearberry in folk medicine

Such a special healing plant as bearberry is actively used to eliminate various painful conditions.

Pyelonephritis

For example, the composition based on this product for the treatment of pyelonephritis is considered effective. It is used by increasing the volume of urine excreted from the body. At the same time, the inflammatory process is suppressed, pathogenic organisms are destroyed. To prepare a healing composition, it is necessary to pour a glass of hot water into a small container and add 1 tsp. dried leaves. The resulting broth is used instead of tea throughout the day. This solution is the safest of all herbal preparations intended for the treatment of this kind of pathology. Such natural tea protects the gastric mucosa from irritation and damage.

With urolithiasis

With urolithiasis, it is recommended to use water infusion. This mixture is prepared as follows. First you need to pour 1 tbsp. crushed raw materials with a glass of water. This composition should be infused for 10-12 hours. The resulting solution must be consumed in 1 tablespoon. three times all day. The course of treatment in this case is ten days. Bearberry therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor who will be able to adjust the dosage for a particular patient.

Kidney stones

If kidney stones are found, the bear’s ear will come in handy again. However, in this case, the most optimal would be to prepare a collection based on such grass. So, for this you will need 2 parts of such plants as plantain and bear ears, as well as rose hips. In addition, it is necessary to measure 1 part of the birch buds, hop leaves and currants. You will also need 3 parts of nettle and 6 parts of field horsetail.

All these components must be thoroughly mixed, after which take 1 spoon of the collection and pour it with 1 liter of boiling water. Next, let the mixture brew for half an hour. The entire amount of the drink received should be drunk all day. When this composition is consumed, kidney stones are removed. To remove stones, you can use alcohol tincture made from the same composition, only in this case a single dose should not exceed 15 drops. It should be noted that the drug is not used for exacerbation of the disease, as this can only aggravate the patient's condition.

Hemorrhoids

If there is inflammation of the hemorrhoids, the plant in question can help again. In this case, it is recommended to make baths with the addition of this product. To do this, 30 g of dried leaves need to pour 0.8 liters of boiled hot water. After that, put the solution in a water bath, and then use it for a sitz bath. In this case, it is important to determine the temperature of the water, since it plays an important role. So, at a temperature of 37 degrees, you can achieve a wound healing effect. If the temperature of the liquid is lowered and does not exceed 20 degrees, in this case, bleeding from inflamed nodes can be prevented.The time for adoption of such a procedure should not exceed 5 minutes.

Worms

To cope with such a parasitic infection as giardiasis, it is necessary to make a healing composition from bear ears. In this case, you need to mix 15 g of raw materials with a glass of boiling water, then insist for about 12 hours. Next, filter the liquid. Ready to drink 10 ml per day. The components of the resulting composition have a detrimental effect on the development of protozoa, as a result of which the symptoms of the disease are eliminated.

Insomnia and nervousness

The collection intended for the treatment of insomnia and nervousness is very popular. For this it is necessary to mix bearberry with motherwort in equal amounts. Then take 2 tablespoons of the mixture and pour them into a pan with 0.75 liters of water. Put the dishes in a water bath. Next, cook the composition until the volume decreases by one third. After that, allow the liquid to cool and then filter. The finished mixture is used in an amount of 50 ml before a meal 2-3 times a day.

Diuretic

To obtain a diuretic, you need bearberry foliage, licorice root and cornflower flowers in a ratio of 3: 1: 1. Mix all the components well, then measure 1 tbsp. mixture, which pour 0.3 liters of hot water. The solution should be infused for 15-20 minutes. The resulting drug must be drunk 1 tbsp. three times a day.

Gout

To improve the condition of gout, you should prepare a mixture, for which it is necessary to pour 0.5 liters of water into a container, add 3 tbsp. dried plants and put to boil. From the moment of boiling, simmer the mass for a quarter of an hour, and then remove from the stove and cover. The mixture should cool, after which it will need to be filtered. Take the composition during meals, twice a day. In addition, it is recommended to soak a small bandage of gauze in the resulting solution and apply to the affected area for 20 minutes. Such procedures are carried out until the disappearance of pain.

With edema

To remove swelling, it is necessary to prepare a special collection of birch foliage, corn stigmas and bearberry leaves, taken in equal proportions. Such a mixture in an amount of 100 g should be poured with 250 ml of water and insisted day in a warm place. Ready to take the infusion of 100 ml per day three times, an hour after the meal.

Tuberculosis

This healing plant can even be used to eliminate such a serious disease as tuberculosis. In this case, you need to mix 2 tbsp. dried raw "ears" and 100 ml of vodka. Such a mixture should be infused in a dark room for two weeks. After this period, the liquid must be filtered and drunk 30 drops per day on a full stomach.

Rheumatism

To get rid of rheumatism, it is required to mix equal quantities of bearberry leaves, field horsetail, bean pods, corn stigmas, hernia, birdwort, willow bark, cornflower flowers and birch buds. The resulting mixture must be crushed, mix thoroughly. Next, take 1 tbsp. herbal collection, pour 150 ml of hot liquid, cook for 10 minutes. After this, infuse the mixture for another 30 minutes, and then filter. Ready to take infusion of 100 ml half an hour after eating 4-5 times a day.

Atherosclerosis

The collection for the treatment of atherosclerosis consists of a bear’s ear, linden flowers, oregano, mint leaves, plantain, motherwort, horsetail, bog dried marshmallow and rosehips taken in equal parts. All ingredients should be crushed. After that, measure a large spoonful of raw materials, pour 500 ml of boiling water and insist 35-40 minutes. Next, filter the liquid. Ready to take twice a day, 60 minutes after a meal. A single dose is 200 ml.

For the intestines

If there are any diseases of the intestine or gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to pour 1 tsp. herbs with water in a small amount, and then add a glass of milk. After this, bring the mixture to a boil. Then stand the solution for 60 minutes. The resulting drink should be drunk in small doses.

Types of medicinal compounds with bearberry

Fiber tincture, herbal tea, as well as tablets based on this plant can be found in any pharmacy.Therapy using these funds involves following the instructions for use. It is important at the same time to observe the permissible doses, and also to use only those drugs that have a normal shelf life. Such healing compositions can be prepared at home on their own. The method of brewing and application depends on which disease is supposed to be treated. Standard recipes and dosages will also be presented here.

Infusion

Such a drink is useful to use when detecting cystitis and various other pathologies of the urinary system associated with inflammatory processes. For cooking, you need 10 g of dry raw materials. The grass should be poured into 0.5 liters of cold water. In this form, the mixture should be infused for 12 hours. After this, the solution needs to be slightly warmed up, but not boiled, then filtered. This treatment makes it possible to extract from the plant almost all useful components with the exception of tannins. This allows you to reduce the likelihood of undesirable consequences, as well as to obtain a mild, but at the same time effective tool.

Typically, such a drug is taken half an hour after a meal of 30 ml. Repeat the procedure three times throughout the day. The finished drink can be kept in the refrigerator for no more than two days.

Tincture

This type of treatment for medicinal herbs is used for problems with sleep, as well as for pathologies of the nervous system, alcohol dependence, gout, rheumatism, and oncology. It is often used to reduce pain.

To prepare the infusion, it is necessary to place in a glass dish 40 g of dried leaves of a bear’s ear, pour 0.25 liters of vodka. In this form, the solution should be infused in a dark place for two weeks. Filter the finished liquid and take 45 drops per day, divided into three doses, half an hour after the meal.

Decoction

This cooking method is used for chronic gastritis, cystitis, edema, chronic constipation, uterine bleeding. In addition, the broth is useful for colitis and sugar disease. The external use of such a solution for abrasions, scratches and heavily healing wounds is also known.

To get a healing broth, you need to grind a tablespoon of raw materials until a powder forms, mix with a glass of boiling water and place the mixture in a water bath. Warm this composition for about a third of an hour, and then also insist for about 35-40 minutes. Then strain the resulting product and bring to 250 ml with boiled water. Decoction is contraindicated for people with a sick stomach, since tannic compounds are present in it, which have an irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the organ. Take such a remedy half an hour after a meal of 50 ml at a time. Repeat three times.

Tea

To obtain tea, it is necessary to grind 1 tbsp. plant materials and pour a mug of hot water. The mixture should be infused for a while, after which it can be used as regular tea. This solution is not very palatable. This is due to the presence of tannins in the composition of the grass, which are released during the brewing process.

Application in cosmetology

Bearberry has such a rich chemical composition, because it has been widely used in cosmetology. This plant helps to remove pigmentation, lighten the skin and strengthen curls. In addition, such a natural product can be used to rejuvenate and improve the general condition of the problematic dermis.

1. To remove unwanted pigmentation, you should make an infusion of the drug product. It will take 25 g of dried leaves, pour 300 ml of water, warm in a steam bath for 10 minutes, and then filter.Wipe pigmented spots with a prepared cosmetic product using a cotton pad, which should be moistened in a cooled solution, 6–7 times during the day.
2. A more effective whitening can be achieved by peeling. For this purpose, you should prepare a mixture consisting of salt, baking soda and baby moisturizer. Take all components in equal amounts. After cleansing the skin with such a scrub, treat the skin with the prepared infusion. The result can be seen in a couple of months.
3. To lighten the strands and give them strength, you need to use a concentrated decoction of bear ears. To obtain it, 4 tbsp. pour herbal raw materials 0.75 liters of boiled water. With this solution, rinse hair 1-2 times a week after washing your hair.

Oily hair needs special care. Bearberry tincture and extract of this plant are suitable for this type of curls. Such mixtures will help stabilize material metabolism in the scalp. This will make the hair shiny, eliminate split ends, and also reduce hair loss.

Thanks to the antiseptic properties of the components, the plant helps to cope with inflammation on the skin, as well as protect it from infections and accelerate the recovery process. To do this, just wipe the affected areas with a decoction of grass and drink tincture based on it. Antioxidant substances in natural cosmetic formulations help to cope with peeling and dryness of the dermis, as well as smooth small wrinkles.

Contraindications

Bear ears are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women. Also, you can not use medicinal raw materials for children under the age of 12 years. Renal failure, periodic constipation, individual intolerance and allergies to bearberry constituents are also a restriction on the consumption of this product.

With excessive use, vomiting, nausea, and pain in the back can occur. Before starting the use of such a herbal preparation, it is recommended to consult a doctor. A specialist will help you choose the right treatment regimen and optimal dosage, which will improve the patient's condition.

Is it possible to eat bearberry berries

Strawberry berries are not eaten, as they have an unpleasant taste and pose a danger to the human body. If you eat a couple of fruits, nothing will happen, but eating berries in large quantities can cause serious poisoning. The same thing happens with the uncontrolled use of a decoction of leaves.

Bearberry photo