Bearberry

(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L.) – Ericaceae family plant. Leaves containing tannins of pyrogallic group, phenols and their glycosides (arbutin, metilarbutin, hydroquinone, 2-0 galloid- and 6-0 galloirarbutin, metoxifenol), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin and etc.), catechins, triterpenoids (ursolic acid), essential oilphenolcarboxylic acids (gallic, pro-cachetic), vitamin C, carotene, iridoids (monotropein, asperuloside), organic acids (formic, quinic, malic), macro- and microelements. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diuretic, astringent effects. It is used for kidney, bladder, urinary tract inflammatory diseases, urinary stone disease, digestive disorders, elevated blood pressure. In food it is used as an additive in flour for bread baking. It is included into the composition of “Cistymin”.