Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, commonly known as bearberry, is a hardy, evergreen shrub native to northern temperate regions. Renowned for its medicinal properties, the plant's leaves contain arbutin, a compound used traditionally to treat urinary tract infections. Its resilient nature makes it a vital component in herbal pharmacology and botanical studies.
- Scientific name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Family: Ericaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Moving through the subclass Magnoliidae and order Ericales, it is a member of the family Ericaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Arctostaphylos.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ericaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Arctostaphylos | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, is known by various common names across different regions and languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 熊果 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans, zh-cn), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), Cantonese (zh-hk), and Singaporean Mandarin (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 熊果 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 熊果 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 熊果 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 熊果 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 熊果 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 熊果 | Wikidata |
| pl | Mącznica lekarska | Wikidata |
| ik | Tinnik | Wikidata |
| hu | orvosi medveszőlő | Wikidata |
| lv | Mūžzaļā miltene | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. Additionally, its presence is documented throughout the territories of Finland. The species also inhabits various parts of Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range extends to the islands of Iceland and Ireland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as bearberry, utilizes various components for its therapeutic applications. The primary medicinal part used is the Folium uvae-ursi, which refers specifically to the dried leaves of the species. While the leaves are the most frequent source of active compounds like arbutin, the roots are also recognized as a constituent part of the plant that can possess medicinal properties. In pharmaceutical preparations, water extracts of these botanical elements are often utilized to create decoctions or standardized formulations for treating urinary tract infections.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| water extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Folium uvae-ursi | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 34 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include arbutin, hydroquinone, Cu, tannins, Arsenic.
- Total chemicals
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 34
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| arbutin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| hydroquinone | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Arsenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| H2O2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mg | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Zn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cadmium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi has 7 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Diuretic, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiseptic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Disinfectant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Arcobacter butzleri, Helicobacter pylori, Urinary tract infections, acne, acne vulgaris.
- Total uses
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Arcobacter butzleri | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Urinary tract infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne vulgaris | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuretic effect | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |