Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi L. (Spreng.) – bearberry Sam. Ericaceae – Evergreen prostrate shrub Ericaceae with creeping shoots and lifts, 20-50 cm long leaves are leathery, short, darker on top – and bottom – more light green. Flowers in few-flowered and brush located at the tips of branches. Corolla urceolate, pink or white, with five curved outward teeth. Spherical red berry fruit with seeds 6. It flowers from May to July. Distribution.
It occurs on dry rocky places and clearings in coniferous forests. It occurs almost throughout Europe (excluding the extreme southern regions). Raw materials. Saponin is the leaves of the plant (Folia Uvae ursi), collected during flowering and dried at ordinary temperatures. Top leaves are dark green, glossy, bottom – a gray-green, leathery, entire. Toward the bottom leaves are wedge-shaped, tapered, obovate, hard and brittle. In the raw material contains phenolic glycosides – arbutin and metilarbutin (about 10%).
In this mixture of glycosides, depending on the origin metilarbutin ranges from 5 to 45%. The content of arbutin in the leaves should not be less than 6%. Some raw materials contain arbutin only about 9%, small amounts of free hydroquinone, tannins (gallotaniny), about 20% of flavonoid substances, ursolic acid, etc. The main action. Uroantisepticheskoe. Experimental and clinical data. Uroantisepticheskoe effect due to the presence of phenolic glycosides in the leaves – arbutin (arbutozida) and metilarbutina. Glycosides are broken down into hydroquinone and monomethyl ether hydroquinone, providing a weak antibacterial effect. Demonstrated a weak antibacterial effect of decoction of the leaves of bearberry in tuberculous mycobacteria. Raw materials and also has a weak diuretic effect, due to the influence on the tubular epithelium of kidney. In tests on rabbits, arbutin reduces blood sugar levels. Apply an antiseptic bearberry leaves for the treatment of chronic cystitis and pielita only in alkaline reaction of urine. There is evidence and a good effect in the treatment of diarrhea and hematuria, as well as astringent. Method of application. Finely chopped tablespoon of leaves, pour 2 cups of cold water, leave overnight and drain. Get a daily dose, which should drink 1-2 tablespoons 3-4 times per day. Some authors recommend the use of, and in decoction. For other opinions and approaches, find out what Cecilia Shen has to say. Suitable combinations. For urine alkalinization is recommended to take one and a tea teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate. Undesirable effects. Do not use for a long time! Some authors do not recommend the use of leaves in decoction, as in this case are extracted and tannins, which irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. Rp. Dec. fol. Uvae ursi 1 0,0 / 180,0 D. S; one tablespoon 5-6 times a day. The use of medicinal plants