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Manzanita
Arctostaphylos spp. Big bearberry, Manzanilla, Coralillo Manzanita is an evergreen bush or small tree reaching 3-18 feet in height. The outer red bark is thin and visually striking, on some varieties peeling freely and on others remaining smooth and intact. The forked branches form in tangles at branch ends making these plants practically impenetrable when growing in thickets. The leaves are usually ovoid, thickened, and often point upwards. The small, pink, urn-shaped flowers form in clusters at branch ends and then transition into small 4-10 seeded tan fruits.
Distribution Coastal mountainous regions of California have the densest populations of the plant. From this area, they radiate south and eastward to Texas. Typically, a mid-mountain plant throughout the southwest, look for Manzanita with other Chaparral Scrub plants, such as Silk tassel and Scrub oak. It is found on exposed hillsides and rocky slopes.
Chemistry
Medicinal Uses Manzanita inhibits lower urinary tract bacteria that thrive in alkaline urine. In the presence of alkaline urine, arbutin, a main constituent of Manzanita, is broken down into hydroquinone and subsequently is responsible for the plant’s antibacterial qualities. Escherichia coli, a typical urinary tract pathogen, thrives in alkaline urine. In the presence of normal acidic urine, or Manzanita acidified urine, the bacterium finds attachment to cell walls difficult. Combining the use of Manzanita or most other Heath family urinary tract acidifiers, such as Madrone or Cranberry, with diet changes that include more animal source proteins, along with limiting simple carbohydrates, can promptly resolve alkaline urinary tract infections.
Manzanita is also a urinary tract astringent. The plant’s tannin complexes responsible for this tone lax urinary tract tissues by imparting a local tightening effect. Use when there is dragging urinary pain in combination with dribbling of urine and mucus discharge.
As a post-partum sitz bath, Manzanita is useful in tonifying and soothing vaginal and cervical tissues. Since Manzanita is moderately inhibiting to Candida albicans it is well worth combining topical applications with internal use of Desert willow, Trumpet flower, or Trumpet creeper.
Indications Lower urinary tact infection with alkaline urine Vaginitis with or w/o Candida involvement As a post-partum sitz bath
Collection Gather Manzanita leaves during late spring through summer after flowering when the ripe fruit is present. The arbutin content is most concentrated at this time, less so when the plant is in flower.
Preparations Several things can be done to facilitate the breakdown of arbutin and methylarbutin into hydroquinone, therefore increasing its effectiveness. Simply drying the leaf starts the conversion. The hydroquinone content is also increased by rehydrating the leaves in a small amount of water for 3-4 hours. After this initial soak, decoct normally.
Dosage Leaf decoction: 4-6 ounces 3-4 times daily DPT (50% alcohol): 30-60 drops 3-4 times daily Sitz bath: as needed
Cautions Manzanita may have a vasoconstricting effect on uterine lining, so it is contraindicated during pregnancy. The plant’s tannins can have an irritating effect on gastric mucosa and the kidneys; limit consecutive use to two weeks. With the addition of most Mallow family plants, i.e. Globemallow and Marshmallow, or Cornsilk length of usage can be increased.
Other Uses The fruits are edible; although seed filled and mealy, they have an apple-like taste. They are good for making jams and jellies.
Copyright © 2006 by Charles W. Kane |