Bearberry, or "bear ears" - a plant with white and pink flowers and red berries. For medicinal purposes, use the leaves of the bush, which have an oval oblong shape and shaggy surface. The therapeutic properties of bearberry were identified about 100 years ago. Since then, the plant began to be applied in various branches of medicine.
Chemical composition
Useful properties of the plant due to its chemical composition. Among the components of the leaves of bearberry are the following:
- Arbutin. Such a substance is harmless and slightly irritates the inner membrane of the kidney (both kidneys), which contributes to the inhibition of secondary fluid absorption and increased formation of urine.
Tanning components. They have a strengthening effect on the intestinal walls, help with diarrhea. Prevent other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.- Hydroquinone. The substance is used to whiten the skin. Participates in replenishing oxygen in the body. To this end, hydroquinone is used in the treatment of asthma, and bearberry infusion is drunk before going to the mountains or to an area with a lack of oxygen in the atmospheric air.
- Flavonoids. Promote the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, other microbes) inside the body. Therefore, plant-based products are actively used in the treatment of infectious diseases.
- Gallic acid. It is considered a powerful antioxidant that prophylactically affects the aging process in the body and the development of any cancer. The plant destroys free radicals, which is manifested by the disappearance of wrinkles, improving the condition of the skin.
- Ursuloic acid. It has a strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Due to this bearberry and tools based on it are used in the treatment of many diseases.
Tanning components. They have a strengthening effect on the intestinal walls, help with diarrhea. Prevent other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.Infusions and decoctions prepared on the basis of the plant, paint the urine in a dark green color. You should not be afraid of it.
Action "bear's ear" on the human body
Arbutin is most actively split in the urinary tract, in contact with uric acids. For this reason, the plant is often used in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys, bladder of inflammatory etiology (cystitis, nephritis, urethritis, etc.).
Due to other components that make up bearberry, therapeutic properties were also found for other diseases, for example, the gastrointestinal tract, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular apparatus. Tannins have an astringent effect, which allows the plant to be used in the treatment of intestinal pathologies, injuries of the skin (wounds, cuts, etc.).
With heart diseases, edema occurs, which can be eliminated with bearberry. In this case, use the berries of the plant, from which prepare infusions, decoctions, teas. For therapeutic purposes, apply ointment, for example, for the treatment of the epidermis, the solutions to be added to the baths.
The use of bearberry in gynecology
Preparations based on plants are used in gynecological practice for the treatment of gonorrhea, other sexually transmitted diseases, inflammatory processes in the uterus and ovaries. This can be explained by anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cleansing action.
It is not recommended to use the plant during breastfeeding. In this case, breast milk decreases or disappears altogether. Broths and infusions after the lactation period are more useful: they help to restore the mammary glands and the body as a whole.
The use of bearberry in folk medicine
For the efficiency of bearberry to be at the highest level, it is necessary to properly collect the plant and prepare it for use. Leaves and shoots are used for medicinal purposes. Harvesting is carried out in spring and autumn, before the plant begins to bloom, and after the fruits have ripened.
Cut off the branches, studded with leaves, in the summer time of the year, 3 cm long shears or knife. With their roots do not tear out. Otherwise, the plant will die. Need to store in the attic, in a dark and not damp place where bearberry can dry out.
After drying, the leaves are separated from the branches, the latter are crushed to form a powder. If the drying was carried out correctly, the specific smell will be absent.
Bearberry decoction
For the preparation of healing broth, you need to take raw materials in a volume of 1 tablespoon, pour 250 ml of boiling water. Before using the leaves are carefully crushed, for example, using a coffee grinder. The container with the composition put in a water bath and incubated for 30 minutes.
After removing the product from the bath, it is filtered, the steamed cake is squeezed out of the liquid residues and discarded. Since the broth is slightly reduced in volume after cooking, the missing amount of liquid is added from the kettle to make exactly 250 ml of the finished product.
Next, the broth is left to insist for another hour. The resulting composition is taken three times a day and 1 tbsp. l before eating (about 20-40 minutes). For the treatment of a child decoction is prepared from 1 tsp.
Means can be used inside no more than 2 days. After this time, it is necessary to prepare a new broth.
Bearberry tincture
Medicinal infusion is prepared from the plant. To do this, take 1 tbsp. l dried leaves, pour 250 ml of warm boiled water. The liquid is left to infuse for 10-12 hours in a warm place. It is better to carry out the procedure before bedtime, leaving the infusion until the morning.
The tool is filtered, consumed three times a day and 1 tbsp. l after eating (about 30-40 minutes). Before using the composition in the treatment of children, it is recommended to consult a doctor beforehand.
If there is a wound on the skin, a cotton pad is moistened in the infusion, applied to the affected area for 20 minutes. Carry out the procedure three times a day. With the development of sexually transmitted diseases infusion is used for douching.
Pour raw materials and hot water. The proportions of the ingredients taken are the same - 1 tbsp. l leaves to 250 ml of water. Leave the infusion for an hour, closing the container lid.
If you have problems with nerves
For the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system, emotional overstrain, depression it is recommended to combine bearberry (1 tbsp.) With other medicinal herbs:
- motherwort (15 g): the ingredients are mixed, pour 250 ml of hot water, leave to infuse for half an hour, take 1 tbsp. l three times a day;
- thyme (15 g): the ingredients are mixed, pour 300 ml of hot water, infuse for an hour, ingest 1 tbsp. l three times a day;
- wormwood (1 tsp): the ingredients are mixed, pour 400 ml of hot water, leave to infuse for 3 hours, consumed orally 75 ml three times a day before meals;
- knotweed (20 g): the ingredients are mixed, pour 200 ml of hot water, leave to infuse for 2 hours, take 1 tbsp. l up to 5 times a day.
Considering what disease needs to be cured, the compositions can be changed.
Gout
The substances contained in the plant are also effective in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, and other joint diseases. In this case, the decoction will be useful, which is prepared as follows:
- 3 tbsp. l raw materials pour 0.5 liters of water.
- Put on a small fire and boil for 15 minutes.
- After removal from heat, the agent is allowed to infuse until it cools.
- Filter out.
- Is ingested 2 times a day before meals.
The broth is also used for applying compresses to the inflamed joints. Therapy is carried out until the symptoms disappear.
Collection for the treatment of cystitis
For the treatment of cystitis, bearberry is used together with herniation, celandine, parsley in proportions of 20 g: 5 g: 5 g, respectively. At the same time bearberry is taken in a volume of 20 g. Components are poured with boiling water in an amount of 250 ml, left to infuse for an hour. Accept inside on 75 ml three times a day.
Can I use bearberry during pregnancy?
In some cases, use the plant and during pregnancy. However, despite the beneficial properties of bearberry, it must be used properly so as not to harm the health of the fetus and the body of the woman herself. Prescribes treatment only a doctor.
The main negative effect of the use of the plant during pregnancy is the risk of irritation of the muscles in the uterus, which is fraught with premature birth and the threat of miscarriage.
If you are concerned about edema during pregnancy, bearberry is replaced by another diuretic folk remedy, for example, from rose hips and plants such as lemon balm, cranberries, nettle. The safest formulations for women in the position are those made from lingonberries.
Contraindications and features of treatment
Plant and tools based on it are used in the treatment of diseases of the urinary tract. However, among the contraindications - the disease in the acute stage of development. This can be explained by the fact that the active substances irritate the internal tissue of the kidneys and other organs of this system, contributing to an increase in the intensity of symptoms and progression of the underlying pathology.
If the disease is mild, the leaves of the plant are allowed and even useful: the resulting irritation helps to release more urine from the body, and with it, the bacteria.
Another contraindication is indigestion. Due to irritation of the mucous membranes, the clinical manifestations will only increase, nausea and vomiting will occur.
Do not use infusions and decoctions for constipation. Strong tannins have a knitting effect on the intestines, worsening the situation.
Means based on bearberry, although they have a natural composition, can still be harmful to health. Some people have an individual intolerance of the components that make up the plant. In this case, an allergic reaction occurs in the form of a rash, irritation, itching of the skin.
Therefore, before using this or that means, even natural, it is necessary to get the advice of a doctor.
