About This Plant
Bearberry is a winter hardy low growing shrub native to northern Europe, Asia, and North America (circumpolar). Found in all provinces in Canada, it grows at various elevations, in mixed woods, sandy shorelines, and on rocky slopes. Bearberry forms large mats and can be used as a groundcover to control erosion. It's also tough, does well in poor soil, and drought tolerant once established.
Dark green, thick, tear drop shaped leaves are evergreen (remain year round) and turning bronze in the winter. Young stems are reddish and pubescent; older stems more smooth, peeling, and brown to gray in colour.
In April to July, small clusters of white, pink, or pink tipped flowers appear. They grow on tips of branches, resembling narrow drooping bells. Bright red showy fruit forms in late summer and persist into the winter. The fruit is edible and becomes sweeter when cooked, but generally mealy and not very tasty.
Bearberry is a great food source for wildlife including birds, butterflies, bears, deer, and other mammals. The name 'bearberry' refers to bears enjoying the fruit of the plant.
Traditionally, bearberry leaves have been used by natives in their 'smoke mix'. Roots and leaves can also be made into a tea for medicinal use. The main modern use for bearberry leaves is medicinally as a diuretic.
References
Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Bearberry. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/plant/dicotyledon
Canadian Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). Bearberry. Retrieved from https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/encyclopedias/flora/bearberry.html
Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Retrieved from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=j380
Province of Manitoba. (n.d.). Bearberry, Uva-ursi, Kinnikinnick. Retrieved from https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/crop-management/bearberry.html
Traditional Use
Folk Use
Bearberry has long been used in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Indigenous peoples of North America and in European herbal traditions. The leaves were most commonly used to treat urinary tract infections and bladder irritation due to their strong antimicrobial and astringent properties. Herbalists prepared leaf teas or decoctions to help disinfect the urinary tract, reduce inflammation, and tone irritated tissues. The plant is perhaps best known in Indigenous traditions as kinnikinnick, a smoking mixture made by drying and blending bearberry leaves with other herbs or bark. Bearberry leaf preparations were sometimes used externally as washes for wounds, skin infections, or inflammations because of their antimicrobial qualities.
Chinese Medicine
Bearberry is not a traditional herb in classical Chinese medicine, but its properties align closely with herbs used to clear damp heat from the urinary tract. In modern integrative herbal practice it is sometimes interpreted through a TCM lens as a cooling, drying herb that clears toxic heat and dampness affecting the bladder. Its strong astringent and antimicrobial nature supports the function of the bladder and kidneys.
Special Chemistry
Bearberry leaves contain high levels of arbutin, a glycoside that converts into hydroquinone in the body and provides antimicrobial activity within the urinary tract. They also contain tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds that contribute to the herb's astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
Signature
The evergreen leaves of bearberry remain tough and resilient through harsh northern winters, reflecting its role as a strengthening and protective herb for delicate tissues such as the bladder and urinary tract.
Combinations
Often combined with cranberry, goldenrod, or juniper for urinary infections. Demulcent herbs such as marshmallow root or corn silk are sometimes included to soothe irritated urinary tissues.
Precautions
Bearberry should generally be used only for short-term treatment due to its high tannin and hydroquinone content. Excessive use may irritate the stomach or liver. It is not recommended during pregnancy or for long-term continuous use.
| Medicinal Species | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi |
|---|---|
| Tastes | bitter, astringent |
| Organ Systems | digestive, urinary, immune/lymphatic |
| Thermal Nature | cool |
| Moisture | drying |
| Parts Used | leaves, berries |
| Preparations | tea/infusion, tincture, capsule, powder, wash |
| Organs and Tissue | gallbladder, kidneys, mucosa |
Growing Guide
Bearberry grows best in well-drained acidic soils and prefers sandy or rocky conditions similar to its natural habitat. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates. Because it forms a low creeping mat through woody stems, it is often used as a ground cover on slopes or dry sites. Seeds benefit from cold stratification and may take time to germinate. Propagation is often easier through semi-hardwood cuttings or layering. Once established, bearberry is very drought tolerant and requires little maintenance, though it does not transplant well due to its delicate root system.