Plant Comparison
Bearberry vs Labrador-tea
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Bearberry and Labrador-tea: both belong to the Ericaceae family; they share 3 indicated uses (skin irritation, urinary support, urinary tract infection (uti)).
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Bearberry | Labrador-tea | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Urinary support | 6/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Bearberry |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | 6/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Bearberry |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Hydroquinone glycoside; hydrolysed and excreted as antibacterial hydroquinone in the urine.
Up to ~20%; responsible for the astringency and for gastric irritation at high doses.
Ledol is the characteristic, mildly toxic sesquiterpene alcohol of the leaf, particularly concentrated in fresh material.
Toxic diterpenes shared with related Ericaceae; the basis for the caution around excessive or prolonged use.
Pharmacological Actions
Arbutin, the hydroquinone glucoside characteristic of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), shows antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity across multiple cancer types (preclinical).
Antibacterial in the urinary tract (arbutin is converted to antibacterial hydroquinone, favoured by alkaline urine); Urinary antiseptic for mild, uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection / cystitis (short-term)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
The bearberry constituent arbutin suppresses osteosarcoma proliferation, migration and invasion via miR-338-3p/MTHFD1L and AKT/mTOR inactivation, and has documented anticancer potential against bladder, breast, colon, liver and other cancers (preclinical).
Urinary antiseptic for mild, uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection / cystitis (short-term)
inferred from astringent action
inferred from urinary-antiseptic action
Antibacterial in the urinary tract (arbutin is converted to antibacterial hydroquinone, favoured by alkaline urine); Urinary antiseptic for mild, uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection / cystitis (short-term)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Short-term use only: not for more than 1 week at a time and not more than about 5 times per year. If symptoms persist beyond ~4 days, worsen, or are accompanied by fever, blood in the urine or pain, seek medical care.
Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding and not for use in children or adolescents under 18 years.
Labrador tea contains ledol, a toxic sesquiterpene alcohol, particularly concentrated in fresh leaves. Excessive consumption can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, and even toxicity (especially in the related Ledum palustre). Use only in small, controlled amounts. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Identify plant correctly — confusion with other bog plants can be dangerous.
Duke (2002) rates Labrador tea as + (caution warranted) and notes primarily folkloric activities, with the plant acting as a diuretic, expectorant, and vulnerary. Importantly, Duke classifies it as having narcotic and deliriant potential — large doses can cause intoxication, hallucinations, and toxicity. It contains ericolin and ledol, which are potentially neurotoxic compounds. Duke emphasizes that Labrador tea should be used only with caution and at low doses, and notes that it is not appropriate for regular internal use given its toxicity profile at higher amounts (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Low, mat-forming evergreen shrub with trailing, woody stems that root as they spread. The leaves are small, leathery, spatula-shaped (spoon-shaped), glossy dark green above and paler beneath, with a smooth, untoothed margin and a rounded tip. Small, urn-shaped, pink-and-white flowers hang in short clusters in spring, followed by bright red, mealy berries.[11]
Low evergreen shrub (Ericaceae), 30-100 cm tall. Leaves are narrow, leathery, with in-rolled margins and a dense, rust-coloured, woolly felt on the underside, strongly aromatic when crushed. Small white flowers are borne in terminal clusters.[4]
Habitat
Grows on dry, acidic, sandy or rocky ground in open woodland, heath, moorland and mountain slopes across the northern hemisphere (Europe, Asia and North America), often in exposed, cold, upland or subarctic sites.[11]
Harvesting
The leaves are gathered in autumn to early spring (outside the flowering and fruiting season), when arbutin content is at its highest, and dried carefully to preserve the glycoside.[11]
Leaves and young stems are gathered, traditionally in late summer, and dried. Only small amounts are used given the plant's ledol/grayanotoxin content, and correct identification against toxic bog look-alikes (bog rosemary) is essential.[6]
Traditional Uses
Bearberry leaf is a long-established European folk and official (EU herbal monograph) remedy for mild, uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections and cystitis, used short-term as a urinary antiseptic; it has also been used traditionally as an astringent for mild diarrhoea.[11]
Labrador tea has a long Indigenous North American and Scandinavian folk-medicine tradition as a mild diuretic and respiratory remedy, and as an aromatic tea and spice, always used in small, cautious amounts given its narcotic/toxic potential at higher doses. Modern phytochemical work confirms anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of its essential oil.[1]
Preparations
Dried leaf macerated in cold water for several hours, which extracts less tannin (reducing gastric irritation) than a hot infusion; the preferred traditional preparation.
Dried leaf infused or lightly decocted in hot water; alkalinising the urine (e.g. with dietary measures) is traditionally recommended alongside use, since arbutin's antibacterial action requires alkaline urine.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph describes traditional use of about 3 g dried leaf per cup, up to four times daily, for no more than one week at a time and no more than about five times a year. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Duke (2002) advises using Labrador tea only with caution and at low doses given its narcotic/deliriant potential at higher amounts; it is not appropriate for regular internal use. Educational reference only, not a prescription - use only small, occasional amounts of properly identified leaf.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
References & Sources
- Dell'Annunziata, F. and Cometa, S. and Della Marca, R. and Busto, F. and Folliero, V. and Franci, G. and Galdiero, M. and De Giglio, E. and De Filippis, A (2022) 'In Vitro Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Leaf Extract against Cutibacterium acnes', Pharmaceutics, 14(9), pp. 1952. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics14091952 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14091952 - de Arriba, S.G. and Naser, B. and Nolte, K.U (2013) 'Risk assessment of free hydroquinone derived from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi folium herbal preparations', International Journal of Toxicology, 32(6), pp. 442-453. doi:10.1177/1091581813507721 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581813507721 - Kravchenko, G. and Krasilnikova, O. and Raal, A. and Mazen, M. and Chaika, N. and Kireyev, I. and Grytsyk, A. and Koshovyi, O (2022) 'Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. leaves extract and its modified cysteine preparation for the management of insulin resistance: chemical analysis and bioactivity', Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 12(1), pp. 30. doi:10.1007/s13659-022-00352-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-022-00352-1 - Sugier, P. and Seczyk, L. and Sugier, D. and Krawczyk, R. and Wojcik, M. and Czarnecka, J. and Okon, S. and Plak, A (2021) 'Chemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng. at the Southern Border of the Geographical Range of the Species in Europe', Molecules, 26(24), pp. 7692. doi:10.3390/molecules26247692 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26247692 - Sugier, P. and Seczyk, L. and Sugier, D (2022) 'Variation in Population and Solvents as Factors Determining the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Potential of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. Leaf Extracts', Molecules, 27(7), pp. 2247. doi:10.3390/molecules27072247 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27072247 - Panusa, A. and Petrucci, R. and Marrosu, G. and Multari, G. and Gallo, F.R (2015) 'UHPLC-PDA-ESI-TOF/MS metabolic profiling of Arctostaphylos pungens and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. A comparative study of phenolic compounds from leaf methanolic extracts', Phytochemistry, 115, pp. 79-88. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.01.002 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.01.002 - Hudek Turkovic, A., Gunjaca, M., Marjanovic, M., Lovric, M., Butorac, A., Rasic, D., Peraica, M., Vujcic Bok, V., Sola, I., Rusak, G. and Durgo, K (2022) 'Proteome changes in human bladder T24 cells induced by hydroquinone derived from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi herbal preparation', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2022. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115092 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115092 - Beaux, D. and Fleurentin, J. and Mortier, F (1999) 'Effect of extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth, Hieracium pilosella L., Sambucus nigra L. and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. in rats', Phytotherapy Research, 13(3), pp. 222-225. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199905)13:3<222::AID-PTR447>3.0.CO;2-P Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199905)13:3<222::AID-PTR447>3.0.CO;2-P - Seczyk, L. and Sugier, D. and Sugier, P (2024) 'Effect of the Type of Herbal Preparations (Powdered Plant Material vs. Dry Ethanolic Extracts) on the Bioaccessibility of Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.) Phytochemicals in Simulated Digestion Conditions', Molecules, 29(24), pp. 5968. doi:10.3390/molecules29245968 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29245968 - Wrona, M. and Blasco, S. and Becerril, R. and Nerin, C. and Sales, E. and Asensio, E (2018) 'Antioxidant and antimicrobial markers by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS of a new multilayer active packaging based on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi', Talanta, 196, pp. 498-509. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2018.12.057 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2018.12.057 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2018) 'European Union herbal monograph on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., folium (Uvae ursi folium)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/uvae-ursi-folium Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/uvae-ursi-folium - Braga, V.C.C., Pianetti, G.A. and Cesar, I.C (2020) 'Comparative stability of arbutin in Arctostaphylos uva-ursi by a new comprehensive stability-indicating HPLC method', Phytochemical Analysis, 31(6), pp. 884--891. doi:10.1002/pca.2953 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.2953 - Qin, D., Liu, J., Guo, W., Ju, T., Fu, S., Liu, D. and Hu, G (2024) 'Arbutin alleviates intestinal colitis by regulating neutrophil extracellular traps formation and microbiota composition', Phytomedicine. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155741 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155741 - ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) (n.d.) 'Uvae ursi folium (Bearberry Leaf) monograph', pp. com. Available at: https://www.escop.com/downloads/bearberry-leaf/ Traditional / reference
https://www.escop.com/downloads/bearberry-leaf/ - Zhang, B., Zeng, M., Li, B., Kan, Y., Wang, S., Cao, B. and others (2021) 'Arbutin attenuates LPS-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway', Phytomedicine. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153466 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153466 - Nahar, L. and Al-Groshi, A. and Kumar, A. and Sarker, S.D (2022) 'Arbutin: Occurrence in Plants, and Its Potential as an Anticancer Agent', Molecules, 27(24), pp. 8786. doi:10.3390/molecules27248786 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248786 - Wang, C.-Q. and Wang, X.-M. and Li, B.-L. and Zhang, Y.-M. and Wang, L (2020) 'Arbutin suppresses osteosarcoma progression via miR-338-3p/MTHFD1L and inactivation of the AKT/mTOR pathway', FEBS Open Bio, 11(1), pp. 289-299. doi:10.1002/2211-5463.13024 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.13024 - Gagyor, I., Hummers, E., Schmiemann, G., Friede, T., Pfeiffer, S., Afshar, K. and Bleidorn, J (2021) 'Herbal treatment with uva ursi extract versus fosfomycin in women with uncomplicated urinary tract infection in primary care: a randomized controlled trial', Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 27(10), pp. 1441--1447. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2021.05.032 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2021.05.032 - Moore, M., Trill, J., Simpson, C., Webley, F., Radford, M., Stanton, L. and others (2019) 'Uva-ursi extract and ibuprofen as alternative treatments for uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women (ATAFUTI): a factorial randomized trial', Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 25(8), pp. 973--980. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2019.01.011 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2019.01.011 - ScienceDirect Topics (pharmacognosy) 'Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi - an overview'. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/arctostaphylos-uva-ursi Traditional / reference
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/arctostaphylos-uva-ursi - North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox 'Buxus sempervirens (Common Boxwood)'. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/buxus-sempervirens/ Traditional / reference
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/buxus-sempervirens/
- Dampc, A. and Luczkiewicz, M (2013) 'Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre): a review of traditional use based on current research', pp. 130--143. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Rhododendron%20tomentosum%20%28Ledum%20palustre%29%3A%20a%20review%20of%20traditional%20use%20based%20on%20current%20research - Jesionek, A., Kokotkiewicz, A., Mikosik-Roczynska, A., Ciesielska-Figlon, K. and others (2019) 'Chemical variability of Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre) essential oils and their pro-apoptotic effect on lymphocytes and rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes', Fitoterapia, 139, pp. 104402. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104402 Preclinical
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https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.2952 - Baananou, S., Bagdonaite, E., Marongiu, B., Piras, A. and others (2014) 'Supercritical CO2 extract and essential oil of aerial part of Ledum palustre L. - Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity', Natural Product Research, 29(11), pp. 999-1005. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.965167 Preclinical
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https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Kirtley, Paul (2015) 'Labrador Tea - Tonic or Toxic?'. Available at: https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2015/labrador-tea-tonic-or-toxic/ Traditional / reference
https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2015/labrador-tea-tonic-or-toxic/ - Jiang, L. and Zhanxiong, L. and Fengcai, Y. and Fuli, L. and Xiaoling, S (2022) 'Third-degree atrioventricular block caused by intoxication with rhododendron leaves', Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 28(2), pp. e13012. doi:10.1111/anec.13012 Clinical study
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Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.