Bearberry

At a glance

Origin / distribution: US(Flathead), US, Spain, Turkey, Canada(Kwakiutl), US(Amerindian), Canada(Salish), US(Blackfoot)

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Ache(Ear), Ache(Stomach), Antiseptic, Astringent

Science studied: ALPHA-AMYRIN, ARBUTIN-GALLIC-ACID-ESTER, CATECHOL-TANNINS, ELLAGOTANNINS

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Ericaceae

Scientific name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Common names: Bearberry, Uva Ursi, Adi ayıqulağı, Arando-Ursino, Arbousier traînant, Bear-grape, Bearberry (EN), Bearberry Manzanita, Berendruif, Buixaruala, Busserole, Busserole commune, Busserole raisin-d'ours, Busserole raisin-d'ours, Raisin-d'ours, Arbousier traînant, Bärentraube, Dinas, Echte Bärentraube

POWO: 1024084-2 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in US(Flathead), US, Spain, Elsewhere, Turkey, Canada(Kwakiutl), US(Amerindian), Canada(Salish) and 1 additional place.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Ache(Ear)
• Ache(Stomach)
• Antiseptic
• Astringent
• Cough
• Cystitis
• Depurative
• Diuretic

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• US(Flathead)
• US
• Spain
• Elsewhere
• Turkey
• Canada(Kwakiutl)
• US(Amerindian)
• Canada(Salish)
• US(Blackfoot)

Documented cultural uses

• Ache(Ear)
• Ache(Stomach)
• Antiseptic
• Astringent
• Cough
• Cystitis
• Depurative
• Diuretic
• Fumitory
• Inflammation
• Narcotic
• Tonic

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Ache(Ear) · US(Flathead) · "
• Ache(Stomach) · US · "
• Antiseptic · Spain · "
• Antiseptic · Elsewhere · "
• Astringent · Turkey · "
• Astringent · Elsewhere · "
• Cough · US(Flathead) · "
• Cystitis · Turkey · "
• Depurative · Turkey · "
• Diuretic · Elsewhere · "
• Fumitory · Canada(Kwakiutl) · "
• Fumitory · US(Amerindian) · "
• Fumitory · US(Flathead) · "
• Inflammation · US · "
• Narcotic · Canada(Kwakiutl) · "
• Tonic · Elsewhere · "
• Antidote(Rhus) · US · "
• Antiseptic · Turkey · "
• Cold · US(Flathead) · "
• Demulcent · Turkey · "
• Fumitory · Canada(Salish) · "
• Fumitory · US(Blackfoot) · "
• Narcotic · Canada(Salish) · "
• Tonic · Turkey · "

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Chemical Characteristics and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i> (L.) Spreng. Extracts Against Skin-Associated Bacteria. · 2026 source ↗
• Green Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots from Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Extract via Hydrothermal and Microwave-Assisted Routes: Comparative Physicochemical Characterisation, Antioxidant Activity, and Biocompatibility Evaluation · 2026 source ↗
• Effect of the Type of Herbal Preparations (Powdered Plant Material vs. Dry Ethanolic Extracts) on the Bioaccessibility of Bearberry (<i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i> (L.) Spreng.) Phytochemicals in Simulated Digestion Conditions. · 2024 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• ALPHA-AMYRIN
• ARBUTIN-GALLIC-ACID-ESTER
• CATECHOL-TANNINS
• ELLAGOTANNINS
• LUPEOL
• ALLANTOIN
• ASH
• BETULINIC-ACID
• CARBOHYDRATES
• BETA-CAROTENE
• CITRIC-ACID
• COBALT
• FAT
• FIBER
• HYDROQUINONE-GLYCOSIDES
• HYPERIN

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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