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Bearberry Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Bearberry comes from the dry leaves-not berries-of the low, trailing evergreen shrub Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (also A. coactylis and A. adenotricha).

Common doses of Bearberry

• 1 to 10 grams taken orally daily.

Why people use Bearberry herb

• Fluid rentention
• To sterilize tract

Side effects of Bearberry

Contact your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of bearberry.

• bluish gray skin
• nausea
• green urine
• vomiting

When taken in large doses (more than 20 grams as a single dose), bearberry may cause ringing in the ears, vomiting, seizures, and blood vessel collapse.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don't use bearberry while taking:

• diuretics
• drugs that make the urine acidic, such as ascorbic acid and Urex.

Important points to remember

• Don't use this herb if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Know that although some people have taken up to 20 grams of bearberry at a time with no side effects, others have experienced poisoning symptoms from as little as 1 gram.
• Be aware that bearberry may turn your urine green.

What the research shows

Bearberry may help relieve fluid retention and ease inflammation, but more studies are needed to verify these effects. Until medical experts have more information, they can't recommend bearberry for any condition.

Other names for Bearberry: -

Other names for for bearberry include arctostaphylos, bear's grape, crowberry, foxberry, kinnikinnick, manzanita, mountain box, rockberry, and uva-ursi.

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