Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for urinary tract issues, including the presence of blood in urine (hematuria). Traditional European and Native American herbalists commonly used bearberry leaves to treat infections and inflammation of the urinary tract. The active compound, arbutin, is metabolized to hydroquinone, which exhibits mild antiseptic properties in the urinary system. Historically, bearberry was considered helpful for symptoms associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), cystitis, and mild hematuria, likely due to its ability to reduce infection and inflammation.

However, modern scientific studies on bearberry’s efficacy specifically for treating blood in urine are limited. Research has focused more on its antibacterial effects in uncomplicated UTIs rather than directly addressing hematuria. While bearberry may help reduce urinary tract inflammation and infection—the underlying causes of hematuria in some cases—there is no robust clinical evidence demonstrating its effectiveness in stopping or significantly reducing blood in urine. Most support for its use comes from traditional practices and anecdotal reports rather than rigorous clinical trials.

In summary, bearberry’s use for blood in urine is rooted primarily in traditional herbal medicine, with some plausibility based on its antimicrobial actions, but the direct evidence supporting its efficacy for this specific symptom is weak.

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