Bergenia Russian (Bergenia crassifolia): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Bergenia crassifolia work for urinary tract infections?

Bergenia crassifolia contains arbutin and hydroquinone, which are excreted through the urinary tract where they exert antimicrobial effects against common pathogens. The arbutin converts to hydroquinone in alkaline urine, creating an antibacterial environment. Additionally, the tannins provide astringent effects that soothe inflamed mucous membranes, while bergenin offers anti-inflammatory properties. Evidence Level C supports these traditional mechanisms, though more clinical research is needed.

Does Bergenia interact with any medications?

Bergenia crassifolia has high tannin content, which may reduce the absorption of certain medications, particularly iron supplements and alkaloid-based drugs, when taken simultaneously. The arbutin content may also interact with medications that affect urinary pH. Limited formal interaction studies exist, so individuals taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using Bergenia products and should separate dosing by at least two hours.

What is the recommended dosage for Bergenia tea?

The standard adult dosage for Bergenia crassifolia is 2-4 grams of aged dried leaf prepared as a tea, taken 2-3 times daily. Using aged leaves is important because fresh leaves contain higher concentrations of irritating compounds. Steep the herb for 10-15 minutes in hot water to extract the beneficial compounds. This dosing is based on traditional use and pharmacopoeial standards. Evidence Level C.

Is Bergenia safe to use during pregnancy?

Bergenia crassifolia is generally considered safe during pregnancy when consumed in normal dietary amounts as a tea. However, large medicinal doses should be avoided due to potential uterine effects. The tannin content may worsen pregnancy-related constipation. Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before using Bergenia supplements and should limit intake to moderate culinary amounts. Evidence Level C, Traditional use supports safety in standard doses.

What is Bergenia crassifolia used for medicinally?

Bergenia crassifolia has been traditionally used for treating diarrhea, urinary tract infections, wound healing, fever reduction, and hemorrhage. The leaves contain arbutin, bergenin, tannins, and gallic acid, which contribute to its astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. In Siberian and Mongolian traditional medicine, aged leaves are commonly prepared as a tea or applied externally. The plant has also served as a black tea substitute. Evidence Level C supports these traditional applications.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch is a medicinal plant from the Saxifragaceae family used in traditional Russian and Asian medicine for various pharmacological activities [PMID:25442262, PMID:23256653].

Contexte

Also known as Siberian tea or elephant's ears, B. crassifolia is a perennial rhizomatous plant belonging to the Saxifragaceae family [PMID:25442262, PMID:30764160]. It is distributed in the mountains of Central and East Asia and is utilized in traditional Chinese, Nepalese, Indian, and Russian medicine [PMID:23256653, PMID:24896228].

Usages traditionnels

Rhizomes and leaves are used in folk medicine systems of Russia and Asia for treating various disorders [PMID:25442262]. Traditional uses include therapy for cough and pulmonary diseases, stopping bleeding, increasing immunity, and dissolving kidney or bladder stones [PMID:23256653].

Composés actifs

The plant contains tannins (including condensed tannins and ellagitannins), benzanoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides (such as pectic polysaccharide bergenan BC), and polyphenols [PMID:25442262, PMID:40302673, PMID:16372372]. Specific identified compounds include bergenin, norbergenin, catechin, gallic acid, arbutin, hydroquinone, methylarbutin, and (+)-catechin 3,5-di-O-gallate [PMID:23256653, PMID:11288595, PMID:20923698].

Mécanisme d'action

Bergenin may inhibit the growth of human cervical cancer cells by decreasing Galectin-3 and MMP-9 expression [PMID:38961106]. Leaf extracts can inhibit Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation by decreasing bacterial viability and inhibiting glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) from synthesizing extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs) [PMID:28955316]. Pectic galacturonans from the plant have been shown to reduce neutrophil adhesion stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and dithiothreitol [PMID:17375675].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DObesity (Animal Model)

Treatment with black and fermented leaf extracts in rats reduced daily dietary intake by 40%, improved glucose tolerance, and significantly reduced serum triglyceride levels by 45% [PMID:23079230]

Preuve DDental Caries/Biofilm (In Vitro)

Leaf extracts showed inhibitory effects on Streptococcus mutans biofilms by decreasing bacterial viability and adherence [PMID:28955316]

Preuve DCervical Cancer (In Vitro)

Bergenin inhibits the growth of human cervical cancer cells [PMID:38961106]

Preuve DImmune Response (Animal Model)

Bergenan BC increased delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions in mice and enhanced human neutrophil uptake capacity [PMID:16372371]; dry extracts normalized antibody-forming cells in the spleen of mice under stress [PMID:16277213]

Preuve DAntimicrobial (In Vitro)

Ethanolic extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms, including Candida albicans [PMID:12169406, PMID:30700645]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

In silico toxicity analysis of bergenin suggests it is nontoxic according to modern toxicity measures [PMID:30276553].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models, and literature reviews (Level C and D). There are no human clinical trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews provided in the source material.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 25442262 (2014) — Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch--pharmacology and phytochemistry. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2.PMID: 23256653 (2012) — [Bergenia genus - content matters and biological activity]. · Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti
3.PMID: 36979338 (2023) — Chemistry and Pharmacology of Bergenin or Its Derivatives: A Promising Molecule. · Biomolecules
4.PMID: 40302673 (2025) — Effects of Mongolian Bergenia crassifolia L. (root) extract on rumen methane emission and microbial community. · Animal bioscience
5.PMID: 28955316 (2017) — Anti-biofilm Activities from Bergenia crassifolia Leaves against Streptococcus mutans. · Frontiers in microbiology

Bergenia Russian

Sources et citations

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