Bearberry Products
Uva Ursi is a plant that is a part of the vast compendium of European Herbalism and was an asset to the North Native Americans. Throughout the Northern Hemphisphere this plant has been loved by bears for it's easy access to the low laying fruit on a short ground crawling shrub. Indigo Herbs Uva Ursi products consist of Bearberry Powder, Bearberry Tincture and Bearberry Tea giving you the option to choose which is easiest and most effective for you. Read more below on the history and folklore of this plant.
Thought to be used since the 2nd century, Uva Ursi has a reputation in European Herbalism as being a herb with great detoxifying properties. Although the tradition of this plant is strong in Europe it is even more so in North America. The Algonkian, Cree, and Ojibwa Tribes of Native American Indians used the leathery leaves of the Uva Ursi plant for smoking. This was called 'kinnikinnick' which roughly translates as 'smoking mixture' or 'that which is mixed'. They used this as a clarifying mixture in their pipes to induce calm of mind in order to make clear decisions. Another name is 'Sagacomin' coming from the Algonkian Tribe and meaning 'smoking leaf berry'. Even though the popular name for Uva Ursi describes the bears love for the berry, the fruit is in fact not at all appetising. All the properties come exclusively from the leaves.
The botanical name Uva Ursi comes from the Latin which means 'bear'. It is an evergreen shrub that flourishes in alpine forests all over the Northern Hemisphere. It is very hardy managing to grow where other plants find it hard to survive. Taking some time to reach a respectable size Bearberry grows at ground level; it has tough oval leaves with white bell shaped flowers. After the blooms have faded the bright red perfectly round berries start to form.
