Herbs and plantsCystitis — can bearberry leaf replace antibiotics?
Sources: 8 · Article: 9 535 characters
Henryk Różański identifies arbutin-containing plant materials as agents for disinfecting the urinary tract, also used for cystitis.
- For cystitis, a decoction or tea made from bearberry leaves was recommended, to be drunk in small amounts throughout the day.
- In alkaline urine, arbutin breaks down into hydroquinone, which has been attributed with antibacterial and antifungal effects.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
A decoction made from arbutin-rich plant materials was used to disinfect the urinary tract and for cystitis.
„He attributes to the decoction properties that disinfect the urinary tract, stop bleeding, reduce inflammation, astringe, and relieve diarrhea. He recommends these plant materials for treating inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, urinary tract infections, hemorrhoids, urinary stones, and neuralgia.”Odwarowi przypisuje właściwości odkażania dróg moczowych, przeciwkrwotoczne, przeciwzapalne, ściągające i przeciwbiegunkowe. Zaleca surowce w leczeniu stanów zapalnych nerek i pęcherza moczowego, infekcji układu moczowego, hemoroidów, kamicy moczowej oraz neuralgii.
Henryk Różański
For cystitis, bearberry leaf tea was recommended, to be drunk in small amounts throughout the day.
„Dr. E. Müller (1923) recommends tea made from 1 tablespoon of bearberry leaves in 2 cups of water for cystitis; the prepared decoction should be drunk in small amounts throughout the day. According to Dr. R. Franck, the decoction should be made using 15–30 g of plant material per 100 ml of water, and the resulting extract should be drunk throughout the day.”Dr E. Müller (1923 r.) przy zapaleniu pęcherza moczowego poleca herbatę sporządzoną z 1 łyżki stołowej liści mącznicy na 2 filiżanki wody; sporządzony odwar należy wypić małymi porcjami w ciągu dnia. Wg dr R. Franck’a odwar należy sporządzić biorąc 15-30 g surowca na 100 ml wody i uzyskany wyciąg wypić w ciągu dnia.
Henryk Różański
In alkaline urine, arbutin may release hydroquinone, which has a disinfecting effect.
„We now know that in alkaline urine, phenolic glycosides (arbutin compounds) in herbs break down into hydroquinone, which has a disinfecting effect. To ensure this process, it is recommended to drink baking soda (1 teaspoon per glass of water) at the same time as taking arbutin-containing herbs.”Współcześnie wiemy, że w moczu alkalicznym (zasadowym) glikozydy fenolowe (arbutynowe) ziół ulegają rozpadowi do odkażającego hydrochinonu. Dla zapewnienia tego procesu poleca się równoczesne picie sody oczyszczonej (1 łyżeczka na szklankę wody) podczas przyjmowania ziół arbutynowych.
Henryk Różański
Baking soda was recommended as an addition intended to promote the breakdown of arbutin in urine.
„We now know that in alkaline urine, phenolic glycosides (arbutin compounds) in herbs break down into hydroquinone, which has a disinfecting effect. To ensure this process, it is recommended to drink baking soda (1 teaspoon per glass of water) at the same time as taking arbutin-containing herbs.”Współcześnie wiemy, że w moczu alkalicznym (zasadowym) glikozydy fenolowe (arbutynowe) ziół ulegają rozpadowi do odkażającego hydrochinonu. Dla zapewnienia tego procesu poleca się równoczesne picie sody oczyszczonej (1 łyżeczka na szklankę wody) podczas przyjmowania ziół arbutynowych.
Henryk Różański
The breakdown of arbutin into hydroquinone has been used to treat inflammation and infections of the urinary tract.
„Under the action of the enzyme arbutase, arbutin is hydrolyzed into hydroquinone and glucose. This has been used in medicine to treat inflammation and infections of the urinary tract. The breakdown of arbutin occurs fastest at pH 7.8–8.6. This is the range found in pathological urine, which changes from acidic to alkaline, favoring the growth of bacteria and yeasts. In these conditions, the fungicidal, bactericidal, and bacteriostatic effects of the released hydroquinone are clear and effective.”Arbutyna pod wpływem enzymu arbutazy, ulega hydrolizie do hydrochinonu i glukozy. Zostało to wykorzystane w medycynie w leczeniu stanów zapalnych i infekcji układu moczowego. Reakcja rozpadu arbutyny zachodzi najszybciej przy pH 7,8-8,6, czyli w moczu patologicznym (który zmienia się z kwaśnego na zasadowy, co sprzyja rozwojowi bakterii i drożdżaków) proces taki zachodzi, działanie grzybobójcze, bakteriobójcze i bakteriostatyczne uwolnionego hydrochinonu jest wyraźne i skuteczne.
Henryk Różański
The released hydroquinone has been attributed with antifungal, bactericidal, and bacteria-inhibiting effects.
„The breakdown of arbutin occurs fastest at pH 7.8–8.6. This is the range found in pathological urine, which changes from acidic to alkaline, favoring the growth of bacteria and yeasts. In these conditions, the fungicidal, bactericidal, and bacteriostatic effects of the released hydroquinone are clear and effective.”Reakcja rozpadu arbutyny zachodzi najszybciej przy pH 7,8-8,6, czyli w moczu patologicznym (który zmienia się z kwaśnego na zasadowy, co sprzyja rozwojowi bakterii i drożdżaków) proces taki zachodzi, działanie grzybobójcze, bakteriobójcze i bakteriostatyczne uwolnionego hydrochinonu jest wyraźne i skuteczne.
Henryk Różański
Bearberry extracts have been described as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and their effects are used in urology.
„After hydrolysis, the phenolic part of the glycosides acts as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. Bearberry extracts inhibit the growth of many pathogenic microorganisms in vitro: Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans.”Po hydrolizie część fenolowa glikozydów działa antybakteryjnie i przeciwzapalnie. Wyciągi z mącznicy hamują rozwój wielu drobnoustrojów patogennych in vitro Protesu vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis i Candida albicans.
Henryk Różański
Lingonberry leaf, which contains arbutin, was indicated for inflammation of the urinary and genital systems.
„The infusion is indicated for inflammation of the urinary and genital systems, including the prostate gland, urinary stones, inflammation of the digestive tract, and diabetes. A 5% infusion may be drunk in an amount of 1 cup per day, in small amounts; in cases of indigestion and diarrhea, drink 100 ml every 2 hours.”Wskazaniem do stosowania naparu jest stan zapalny układu moczowego i płciowego, w tym również gruczołu krokowego, kamica moczowa, nieżyt przewodu pokarmowego oraz cukrzyca. Napar 5% można pić w ilości 1 szklanki dziennie, małymi porcjami, a w przypadku niestrawności i biegunki co 2 godziny po 100 ml.
Henryk Różański
For urinary tract infections, combining bearberry with arbutin-containing herbs was recommended.
„For urinary tract infections, combine bearberry with arbutin-containing herbs, sandalwood, or nasturtium herb. In cases of prostate enlargement, combine it with corn silk, African plum bark, bird cherry bark, willowherb herb, and/or nettle rhizome.”W razie infekcji układu moczowego łączyć żurawkę z ziołami arbutynowymi lub z drewnem sandałowym, albo z zielem nasturcji. W przypadku przerostu gruczołu krokowego kojarzyć z znamieniem kukurydzy, korą śliwy afrykańskiej, korą czeremchy, z zielem wierzbówki/wierzbownicy i (lub) kłączem pokrzywy.
Henryk Różański
A decoction of the fruits, shoots, and bark of bladder senna has been described as helpful for inflammation and infections of the urinary tract; it can be combined with arbutin-containing herbs.
„From what I have observed so far, a decoction of the fruits, shoots, and bark has a beneficial effect on inflammation and infections of the urinary tract. It can be combined with arbutin-containing herbs (blueberry, bearberry, saw-wort, pear…).
A decoction sweetened with honey or molasses has an expectorant effect and is helpful for coughs and runny noses.”Z tego co do tej pory zaobserwowałem to odwar z owoców, pędów i kory korzystnie działa przy stanach zapalnych i zakażeniach układu moczowego. Można łączyć z ziołami arbutynowymi (borówka, mącznica, sierpik, grusza…).
Osłodzony odwar miodem lub melasą wykazuje działanie wykrztuśne i jest pomocny przy kaszlu oraz katarze.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 2.
A combination of arbutin with other plant extracts and D-mannose was associated with fewer cystitis recurrences than another combination studied.
Aim of the study: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are an economic burden for public health. The increasing prevalence of resistant bacteria which cause UTIs may be related to the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics.
Results: Three groups of patients received three combinations of plant extracts in conjunction with d-mannose. These were: berberine, arbutin and birch (group A); berberine, arbutin, birch and forskolin (group B); and proanthocyanidins (group C). The clinical recurrence of cystitis at the end of treatment and during follow-up was determined by comparison with baseline measurements using the microbiological assessment of urine samples, vaginal swabs and vaginal smear slides. Patients in groups A and B had a lower incidence of episodes of recurrent cystitis during treatment and follow-up, samples with a significantly lower median bacterial load and a reduction of the grade of lactobacillary flora compared to patients in group C.
Money for the studycompany or manufacturer · PHARMAMOL S.r.l (Spin-Off company, University of Molise)
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review indicates that arbutin from bearberry has anti-adhesion and biofilm-formation effects, which may help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.
Aim of the study: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent bacterial infections in women, with high recurrence rates and growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance. The need for alternative or adjunctive therapies has spurred interest in plant-based treatments, which offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory benefits.
Results: Evidence from clinical trials and meta-analyses supports the role of cranberry natural products and traditional herbal medicines (THMs) in reducing UTI recurrence, especially when combined with antibiotics. Notably, A-type proanthocyanidins in cranberry and arbutin in bearberry are key bioactive compounds that exhibit potent anti-adhesive and biofilm-disrupting properties, offering promising adjunctive strategies for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections. Additionally, emerging therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), show promise in restoring bladder function and reducing infection in women with lower urinary tract dysfunction. Overall, plant-based strategies represent a valuable and well-tolerated complement to conventional therapies and warrant further investigation through high-quality clinical trials to validate their efficacy, safety, and role in personalized UTI management.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.