Page 161 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

hemorrhages. It helps prevent post-partum infections
and helps incisions heal. It can also be used as a douche
or sitz bath due to its astringent and tightening effects.
Not for longer-term internal use if the mother is
breast-feeding.

Prevents Scurvy: Bearberry berries and leaves are
rich in vitamin C, which is necessary to prevent Scurvy.
In winter months it can be difficult to find adequate
sources of vitamin C. Drinking bearberry tea or eating
its berries adds vitamin C to the diet.
Stomach and Intestinal Cramping: Bearberry
has muscle relaxant properties that soothe stomach
Bearberry, Walter Siegmund - Own work, CC by 2.5 and intestinal cramping. It also has antiseptic proper-
stones. It also reduces uric acid in the body, and thus ties that are effective against the most common causes
is useful in treating gout. of diarrhea and stomach upsets.
Bearberry leaves work best for urinary tract problems Harvesting: Bearberry leaves can be picked from
when the urine is less acidic or even slightly alkaline. mid-spring to mid-autumn. Pick the mature berries
Use at the first sign of infection. I often use it for UTIs before the first frost.
as a blended tincture with Usnea, Goldenrod, and Or-
egon Grape Root, and also drink unsweetened cran- Warning: Bearberry should not be used by people
berry juice or take a concentrated cranberry supple- with high blood pressure, by pregnant women, or
ment. To decrease acidity, follow a vegetable-based women who are nursing. Bearberry can induce nausea
diet, eliminating meat and milk products from the diet in some people and can cause stomach irritation. Soak-
until the problem is eliminated. ing the bearberry leaves overnight before use may help.
Not for continued long term use. Best used for acute
Painful Sex in Women and the Urinogeni- treatment.
tal System: Bearberry tea or tincture treats long- Recipes. Bearberry Leaf and Berry Tea:
term inflammation of the urethra in women. The tan-
nins in the berries and leaves have a strong astringent *Soaking the leaves and berries before brewing the tea
removes some of the tannins and helps reduce diges-
action and reduce inflammation in the urinogenital
system. tive discomfort if using internally. You can also use the
leaf only.
Vaginal Infections: Bearberry is an effective in- 3 Tablespoons of dried leaves and berries, chopped, 1-
ternal treatment against vaginal infections, including quart (1 Liter) water. Soak the dried leaves and berries
yeast infections. It has astringent and anti-inflamma- in cold water overnight or for up to one day. Drain.
tory effects that help soothe the vaginal region. You can Bring a quart (liter) of water to a boil. Add dried leaves
also use the leaf and berry tea as a douche or sitz bath and berries. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover
twice a day. tightly. Simmer the tea for about five minutes. Turn off

Post-Partum Use and Uterine Hemor- the heat. Allow the tea to steep, tightly covered for 30
rhage: Drinking Bearberry Tea soon after giving minutes. Strain. Drink one cup, two to three times
birth helps increase uterine contractions and prevents daily, lukewarm on an empty stomach.

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