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Pol J Cosmetol 2023, 26(3): 125-131pl  Medicinal uses of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)Leszek Zakrzewski 1/, Agnieszka Michalska 2/, Ewa Stamirowska-Krzaczek 2/, Anna Kocira 2/ 1/ Wydział Nauk Medycznych i Nauk o Zdrowiu, Europejska Uczelnia Nauk Medycznych i Społecznych w Warszawie 2/ Instytut Nauk o Żywieniu Człowieka i Rolnictwie, Państwowa Akademia Nauk Stosowanych w Chełmie Summary Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) plays the role of decoration both in summer, thanks to bright red fruits, and in winter. It is an excellent ground cover plant to use as an undergrowth for conifers, rhododendrons and azaleas. In Poland, it is common in vast areas of the northern part of the lowlands, and in the mountains its sites are located in the Tatras at an altitude of about 1220 m above sea level. It grows here in rocky grasslands. It is a photophilous plant, inhabiting bright, rare pine forests and dry heaths. Bearberry is used primarily in bacterial infections of the urinary tract and bladder. Bearberry infusions and preparations are effective only in an alkaline environment (arbutin in an alkaline reaction hydrolyzes to hydroquinone). During treatment, care should be taken to alkalize urine, so the pH above 7. Arbutin is a depigmentation substance of natural origin get from bearberry. In bearberry there are also tannins, with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and astringent effects, flavonoids (including quercetin with anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties) and triterpenes (including ursolic acid with antioxidant activity). Key words: bearberry, arbutin, medicine, cosmetology, medicinal plants |