Updated: 11/28/23
Are you looking for an all-natural way to tackle urinary tract infections (UTIs) and enhance your skincare routine? Bearberry extract, derived from the uva ursi plant, could be just what you’re after. Rich in powerful compounds such as arbutin and flavonols, this herb has been used for centuries to treat UTIs and promote healthy skin. In this blog post, we’ll explain more about Bearberry extract’s benefits, how it can help treat infection while nourishing your skin – read on to find out!
What is Bearberry Extract?
Nature is full of wonders, and in the world of plants, bearberry stands out as one of the most remarkable. This amazing plant, also known by its scientific name of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, has been used for centuries for its medicinal qualities. In recent years, bearberry has gained popularity as a natural remedy for a wide range of health concerns, making it a must-know plant for anyone passionate about their wellbeing.
Bearberry is a plant native to northern parts of the world, including North America, Asia, and Europe. It is a low-lying shrub, with tiny evergreen leaves and small pink or white flowers that bloom in early summer. The plant produces bright red berries in the fall, which is how it gets its name. The plant is prized for its flowers, which bloomed into a beautiful red color, and its berries, which are a popular food source for many animals. However, it’s the leaves of the bearberry plant that are the most beneficial and contain the essential active components.
The plant leaves have potent compounds that make them effective for various health issues. The most notable of these is its antibacterial and antifungal properties. These properties make it useful in treating urinary tract infections, which are caused by bacteria and fungi. Bearberry also inhibits the growth of other bacteria, such as E.coli, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause stomach and respiratory infections.
Bearberry Extract Benefits
Helps Treat UTIs
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections that affect the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. Symptoms include painful urination, frequent need to urinate, and cloudy urine. If left untreated, UTIs can lead to serious complications like kidney damage. Bearberry is a natural treatment for UTIs, as it contains arbutin, which has antimicrobial properties. It works by reducing the number of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract, thereby reducing the severity of UTI.
Promotes Healthy Bladder Function
The bladder is responsible for storing urine and releasing it through the urethra. As we age, the bladder can weaken, leading to urinary incontinence and frequent urination. Bearberry promotes healthy bladder function by strengthening the muscles in the bladder, improving bladder capacity, and reducing the frequency of urination.
Supports Kidney Function
The kidneys are responsible for removing waste from the body. They also regulate acid-base balance, electrolytes, and blood pressure. Bearberry supports kidney function by reducing oxidative damage and inflammation in the kidneys. It also promotes healthy blood flow to the kidneys, which helps remove waste from the body effectively.
Antioxidant Properties
The antioxidant properties of bearberry help protect the body against free radicals that can cause damage to cells. The high levels of antioxidants in bearberry can help prevent oxidative stress and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. The antioxidant effect of bearberry is greater than that of many known antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C.
Anti-Bacterial Properties
Bearberry contains a compound called arbutin, which has been shown to have anti-bacterial properties. Bacteria can cause all kinds of infections, including infections in the bladder and kidneys. By consuming bearberry, you can help to prevent these infections from taking hold. In addition, arbutin has been shown to be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it a powerful tool in the fight against superbugs.
Fights Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or infection. It can lead to chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Bearberry contains powerful antioxidants that fight oxidative stress and inflammation. These antioxidants protect the bladder and kidneys from oxidative damage, reducing inflammation and the risk of chronic diseases.
Boosts Immunity
The immune system is responsible for protecting the body against harmful pathogens. Bearberry is rich in antioxidants that boost the immune system, help fight off infections and promote healing. These antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals that damage cells and cause inflammation, enabling the immune system to fight off infections more effectively.
Skin Benefits
Bearberry extract is also a common ingredient in skin care products due to its astringency and skin brightening properties. The arbutin in bearberry inhibits the production of melanin, leading to a brightening effect on the skin. Bearberry is also known to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production. Incorporating bearberry extract into your daily skin care routine can result in a brighter, more youthful complexion.
Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Bearberry may also be beneficial in reducing high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Studies have found that the active components in bearberry leaves, specifically ursolic acid, may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. This suggests that bearberry may be useful in the management and prevention of diabetes.
Helps With Digestion
Bearberry has anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, indigestion, and diarrhea. These anti-inflammatory properties can also help heal and soothe the gut lining, preventing the development of intestinal inflammation. This makes bearberry an excellent natural remedy for improving digestive health.
Bearberry Extract Side Effects
Gastrointestinal Problems
One of the most common side effects of bearberry extract is stomach upset. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps after taking uva ursi supplements. This is because arbutin can irritate the digestive system, especially if taken in high doses or for an extended period of time. To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems, it’s important to follow the recommended dosage and duration of treatment, as well as to take bearberry extract with food.
Liver and Kidney Damage
Another potential risk of bearberry extract is liver and kidney damage. Studies have shown that arbutin can be toxic to these organs if used in excessive amounts. In rare cases, long-term use of uva ursi supplements has been associated with liver and kidney failure. To avoid this, it’s crucial to avoid self-medicating and to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen. People with pre-existing liver or kidney problems should also avoid using bearberry extract.
Allergic Reactions
Bearberry extract can also cause allergic reactions in some people. This is because it contains compounds that can trigger hypersensitivity reactions, such as itching, hives, and swelling. If you experience any of these symptoms after taking uva ursi supplements, you should stop using them immediately and seek medical attention. People with a history of allergy to plants in the Ericaceae family (such as blueberries, cranberries, and heather) should avoid bearberry extract altogether.
Drug Interactions
Bearberry extract can interact with certain medications, such as diuretics (water pills), blood thinners, and aspirin. This can increase the risk of side effects or reduce the effectiveness of the drugs. If you’re taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using uva ursi supplements. They can advise you on whether it’s safe to combine them and adjust your treatment accordingly.
Blood Thinning
The consumption of bearberry extract might increase the risk of bleeding, especially when taken in high doses. The active compound, arbutin, has blood-thinning properties which could lead to thinning of the blood and might interfere with blood clotting factors. If you are already taking any blood-thinning medications, it’s essential to talk to your doctor before using bearberry extract.
Overuse of Bearberry Extract
Like every other remedy, bearberry extract needs use in moderation to avoid adverse side effects. Overuse of bearberry extract can lead to severe health conditions such as liver and kidney damage, seizures or eye damage. Always stick to recommended dosage and consult your healthcare provider before incorporating bearberry extract as a supplement in your diet.
Risks for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you might want to stay away from bearberry extract. The active compound in bearberry extract, arbutin, which comes to cross the placenta and can be in human milk. This might affect the baby’s health and development, which is why it’s best to avoid bearberry extract if you’re nursing or carrying a baby.
Bearberry Extract for Skin
The most prominent benefit of the bearberry extract is its skin lightening properties. It can help reduce the appearance of dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. It also helps in regulating sebum production, making it ideal for those with oily skin.
Bearberry extract is also a great anti-aging ingredient. It contains antioxidants that fight against free radicals, which are responsible for skin damage and aging. These antioxidants can also help improve skin texture, making it appear smoother and more youthful.
Lastly, bearberry extract can soothe irritated skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm down inflamed acne or sunburned skin. It also helps in reducing redness, which makes it an excellent ingredient for those with sensitive skin.
Herbal Extract Standardization
With scientific advancements, we can now grow and harvest plants to ensure they contain a certain amount of specific, beneficial compounds. This is standardization.
Standardization ensures the herbal extracts you take are safe and effective. For example, we know that the compound arbutin is responsible for many of bearberry’s benefits. Just like some strawberries are sweeter than others, bearberry leaves in the wild can contain different amounts of arbutin, which means there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a consistent amount of arbutin if you eat wild bearberries.
This is where standardization comes in: it ensures that the bearberry extract you take contains just the right amount of arbutin shown in scientific studies to have therapeutic value.
Standardization also allows scientists to remove unwanted components in herbal extracts, or make herbal extracts containing specific, beneficial compounds.
Dosage
Bearberry leaf extract can be taken as a tea, capsule, powdered whole leaves, powdered extract, and tincture.
Recommended Dose:
- Powder: As a dietary supplement, take 760 mg (just under 1/2 tsp) one or two times daily with meals, or as directed by physician.
- Fluid Extract 1:1 (g/ml): Take 3 ml up to four times daily (this equals about 400-840 mg arbutin per day).
Where to Buy Bearberry Extract
You can find Bearberry Extract for all your dietary needs at BulkSupplements.com. They are a top-notch company that specializes in offering pure dietary supplements. Not only do they create their own products, but they also supply high-quality ingredients to other brands in the food and supplement industry. Rest assured, all products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested following the latest manufacturing practices. If you’re interested in trying Bearberry Extract as a dietary capsule supplement, reach out to BulkSupplements.com and place your order today.
The Bottom Line
Bearberry extract may be a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating urinary tract infections. It also help naturally brighten and rejuvenate your skin. This powerful little herb might not be as well-known as others, but it’s just as effective in boosting your overall health.
It’s important to note that natural remedies like bearberry extract are not always kind to everyone. While they offer an impressive list of health benefits, it’s crucial to understand your personal risk factors when taking them. Always talk to your medical health professional before using bearberry extract or any other herbal supplement, especially if you have any health concerns. We hope this blog post shares with you a deeper understanding of bearberry extract side effects and helps you make an informed decision about whether this natural health supplement is safe for you.
Bearberry is a versatile plant with multiple health benefits. From preventing UTIs, reducing inflammation, and improving digestion to enhancing skin brightness and promoting overall well-being, this natural supplement is definitely worth trying out. With bearberry, you get to move away from synthetic supplements and embrace nature in its purest form. As always, it’s important to consult your doctor before adding any new supplements to your routine. So what are you waiting for? Embrace the benefits of bearberry and start enjoying a healthier life!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease