Bearberry

Bearberry is an evergreen, prostrate dwarf shrub native to the northern hemisphere, often forming mats, and is especially common in Europe, North America, Canada, Siberia, and the Altai Mountains. Leathery, dark green shiny, small foliage leaves, small, white to reddish, bell-shaped flowers in terminal, overhanging racemes, from which bright rich red, berry-like fruits with hard seeds develop in late summer.

The dried leaves (bearberry leaves - Uvae ursi folium) are used phytotherapeutically.

The bearberry is the parent plant of Uvae ursi folium, the official preparations made from whole or cut, dried leaves. Bearberry leaves do not have a particularly characteristic smell.

1. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, p.74-75

2. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 674-675