Product Name | Uva Ursi Extract |
Botanical Name | Arctostayphlos uva ursi |
Part Used | Leaf |
Appearance | Brownish Yellow to White Powder |
Specification | 4:1 10:1 Straight Powder 10%-98% Ursolic acid 98% Arbutin |
Storage Period | 24 Months |
Package | 1kg/bag 25kg/drum |
Storage Conditions | Store in cool and dry places. Keep away from strong light and heat. |
Description Bearberry (Uva ursi) is an extremely winter hardy, creeping, slow-growing, prostrate, woody evergreen groundcover shrub and flourishes in alpine forests in many regions, including North America, Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, Siberia, and the Himalayas. It grows gradually but succeeds in places where other plants cannot, such as the walls of canyons. Mostly it prefers grassland, mountain summits and plateaus, ridges or ledges, sand plains and barrens and requires an acidic, dry to medium, well-drained, sandy or gritty soils. Stem is creeping and is covered with papery bark with silky hairs. Finely textured velvety branches are initially white to pale green, becoming smooth and red-brown with maturity. Leaves Leaves are of a leathery texture, from 1/2 inch to an inch long, like a spatula in form, being rounded at the apex and tapering gradually towards the base to a very short stalk or petiole. The margin is entire and slightly rolled back and the young leaves fringed with short hairs. Upper surface of the leaf is dark, shining green, the veins deeply impressed, the lower side is of a paler green, with the veins prominent and forming a coarse network. The leaves have no distinctive odor, but they have a very astringent and somewhat bitter taste. Flower Bearberry produces pale pink or white flowers arranged in terminal clusters composed of 3 to 15 flowers. Individual flowers are bell-shaped, composed of petals that are curled on the tips. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (bisexual) and bloom in April to May. Fruit Fruit of bearberry is red, berry-like drupe. Fruit is fleshy and filled with 1 to 5 stony seed. Drupes are green in summer ripening to red in fall, sometimes remaining on the plants throughout winter. Drupes are bittersweet raw off the plant, but sweeter when first boiled. Bears are said to be fond of the shiny, bright red or pink fruit, which is edible but tastes sour. Fruits are technically edible for humans, but are generally considered to be mealy and lacking flavor. On the plus side, bears, birds and small mammals love the fruits. Health Benefits Bearberry fruit is edible and is occasionally used as food, the leaves of the plant are extensively used for medicinal purposes by herbal practitioners. Go through this post to know more about the health and benefits of bearberries. 1. Protect the Immune System Bearberries consist of good amount of hydroquines, and these act as powerful antibacterial agents that can keep a wide range of your systems healthy. By removing harmful agents and foreign substances, bearberries can protect your gut to your skin, acting as a full-body line of defense against bacteria!(1) 2. Headaches This is one of the more debated health benefits of bearberry, but it has been used for hundreds of years as a headache reliever. To achieve this particular benefit, you have to smoke the dried leaves of the bearberry shrub, which produces a similar effect as the more widely known cannabi plants. This narcotic use is looked down upon in many circles, but it has been shown to be an effective headache remedy.(2) 3. Speeds Healing An ointment can be made from the fruits of the bearberry to form a topical application. It can be applied directly to the burns, wounds, bruises, or areas of inflammation. The acids of this unique fruit can help to speed the healing process in the skin, while also reducing inflammation and eliminating pain.(3) 4. Pregnancy Aid Some of the active components of bearberry have been directly related to avoid miscarriages and ensuring the safety of the mother during the pregnancy. Additionally, after the baby is delivered, there is often a major pain and inflammation. Consuming bearberries has been traditionally used to promote a healthy recovery of the mother and to eliminate some of the pain and discomfort. 5. Remedy for kidney stones Bearberry is quite effective in preventing the formation of kidney stones. Regular use of this herb helps to soften the kidney stones which further helps in breaking down the large stones into small parts. As the size of the stones reduces, it becomes easier for them to pass through the urine. Apart from that Bearberry has natural diuretic properties, which increases urination and helps in flushing out the stones. 6. Detoxify the Body Bearberry is traditionally used as a natural diuretic. This helps people release the toxins from their body at a rapid rate, cleansing the bladder and kidneys. This helps to eliminate excess salts, fats, water, and toxic materials from your body, helping all of your systems work better.(4) 7. Protect the Stomach There is a wide variety of gastrointestinal problems, and preventing those illnesses is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They can destroy the natural balance of helpful bacteria in our gut. Bearberries are known to prevent the activity of E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, and a number of Staphylococcus strains of bacteria, helping many of our systems stave off these common infections.(5) 8. Urinary tract infections Bearberry is considered to be one of the best medications for dealing with infections in the urinary tract. It contains chemicals such as hydroquinone and hydroquinone derivatives, which are useful for treating infections like urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) and nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). 9. Weight loss Bearberry has diuretic effects which help in encouraging more urine flow, thus decreasing water retention and bloating in the body. This property makes bearberry beneficial for those who are trying to lose weight. 10. Treats Diarrhea Higher amount of tannin present in Bearberries are great for the treatment of diarrhea. In fact, this fruit is well-known for being highly effective in treating problems that are related with the digestive tract. Since it is rich in tannins, it has powerful astringent properties which in turn are useful for problems that affect this part of the body. 11. Alleviates Arthritis Symptoms Bearberry is also quite beneficial for people suffering from arthritis. If you apply this calcium and Omega rich extract on aching arthritic joints, it will ease the discomfort and strengthen your joints as well. |