Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a hardy, low-growing evergreen shrub native to northern climates worldwide. It serves a dual purpose: as an attractive, woody groundcover in landscaping and as a traditional herbal remedy. The leaves, often referred to as Uva ursi, have been used for centuries in herbalism. Acquiring bearberry depends entirely on your intended use, whether you seek it for gardening or as a concentrated herbal supplement.
Purchasing Live Plants
For those interested in bearberry’s ornamental qualities, live plants can be sourced from several environments. Local nurseries often stock bearberry, especially those specializing in native or drought-tolerant plants, as it thrives in poor, sandy, and acidic soil conditions. Specialized online native plant retailers and wholesale nurseries are also excellent sources, often providing plants in various forms.
The most common forms available for planting are small, rooted plugs or bare-root stock. Planting is best achieved in the early-to-late spring or during the late fall to early winter when the plant is dormant, allowing for root establishment before extreme weather. Bearberry is a slow-growing plant initially, but once established, it forms a dense, mat-like cover, making it a popular choice for rock gardens or erosion control on slopes.
Sourcing Dried Materials and Supplements
For herbal use, look for the dried leaf material, known commercially as Uvae ursi folium. This raw material is widely available from dedicated herbal apothecaries, which often supply bulk dried herbs for teas and tinctures. Health food stores and general online supplement distributors also carry bearberry products in various processed forms.
Since this material is intended for internal consumption, scrutinizing the product’s sourcing is important. Look for suppliers who specify that the bearberry is either certified organic or sustainably wild-crafted, indicating careful harvesting practices. These bulk suppliers often provide the whole, dried leaf, which can be used to prepare an infusion or decoction.
Evaluating Product Forms and Quality
Bearberry supplements come in several formats, each requiring a different level of quality assessment. The simplest form is the dried leaf for tea, but more concentrated preparations include liquid extracts (tinctures) and encapsulated powders or tablets. For targeted use, consumers often prefer standardized extracts, which ensure a consistent and measurable amount of the primary active compound.
The therapeutic action of bearberry is attributed to the phenolic glycoside Arbutin, a compound concentrated in the leaves (5% to 15% of the dried leaf weight). For an extract to be considered high-quality and effective, it should be standardized to a minimum percentage of Arbutin, with some standards recommending at least 7.0% content. Arbutin is converted into hydroquinone in the body, which provides the antiseptic properties.
The conversion of Arbutin to the active hydroquinone derivative is most efficient when the urine is alkaline. When evaluating capsule or tablet supplements, look for products that clearly state the milligram amount of Arbutin per serving, often listed as hydroquinone derivatives. A typical daily dose of a dry extract provides 400 to 800 mg of the extract, corresponding to 100 to 210 mg of Arbutin per dose.
Choose products from manufacturers who provide third-party testing. Beyond ensuring potency, this testing verifies the absence of contaminants and excessive levels of free hydroquinone, which is a safety concern at high concentrations. The dried leaf material itself should be checked for purity, as quality standards limit the amount of foreign matter or twigs.