The bear gallbladder has been a highly prized commodity in traditional medicine for centuries. This substance, known as Ursus fel or bear bile, has been sought after across Asia for its perceived therapeutic properties. The practice of harvesting bear bile has driven a complex global trade, creating both scientific interest and significant ethical controversy. Understanding this issue requires examining the unique chemistry of bear bile, its history in traditional practices, its transition to modern synthetic medicine, and the resulting conservation crisis.
The Chemistry Behind the Bile
Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver, and in bears, it contains a high concentration of a specific compound called Ursodeoxycholic Acid, or UDCA. UDCA is a bile acid, which is present in most mammals but typically only in trace amounts. However, in species of the Ursus genus, UDCA is the dominant bile acid component.
This high concentration of UDCA is linked to the bear’s ability to hibernate. During the long period of dormancy, bears do not eat, drink, or excrete, leading to a buildup of cholesterol in the body. The presence of UDCA in their bile prevents the formation of cholesterol gallstones, which would otherwise be a common occurrence given their altered metabolism.
The chemical function of UDCA is based on its hydrophilic nature, meaning it is more water-soluble than other bile acids. By replacing the more hydrophobic bile acids in the enterohepatic circulation, UDCA helps protect liver cells from potential damage. It also reduces the cholesterol saturation of bile, a mechanism that promotes the dissolution of cholesterol crystals and stones.
Traditional Uses and Cultural Significance
The use of bear bile, known as Xiong Dan in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dates back at least to the Tang Dynasty in 659 CE. This medicinal use was later adopted into traditional practices in Korea, where it is known as Ungdam, and in Japan, where it is called Kuma-no-i. Across these cultures, the bile was valued for its ability to “clear heat” and “detoxify” the body.
Traditional practitioners prescribed bear bile to treat a wide range of ailments, including fever, inflammation, and pain reduction. It was commonly used for liver-related issues, such as jaundice and liver-fire symptoms like red eyes and headaches. The bile was typically administered in small doses as a powder, flakes, or in the form of a dried gallbladder, often dissolved in milk or mixed with other ingredients for internal or external application.
The practice of using bear bile has always relied on the physical substance harvested from the animal. This belief in the superiority of the wild-sourced substance continues to drive demand in some communities, despite the availability of synthetic alternatives.
Modern Medical Applications of Synthetic UDCA
Modern medicine has isolated the active compound and now utilizes a synthetic version of Ursodeoxycholic Acid. The synthetic production process typically begins with cholic acid, a more readily available bile acid often sourced from bovine bile. This precursor undergoes a multi-step chemical synthesis to transform it into the desired UDCA molecule.
Synthetic UDCA is a regulated drug approved for treating specific medical conditions. One primary indication is the dissolution of small, radiolucent, cholesterol-rich gallstones in patients who cannot undergo surgery. It is also used to prevent gallstone formation in individuals experiencing rapid weight loss, such as after bariatric surgery.
The drug’s most frequent application is in the long-term management of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), a chronic liver disease. In this context, synthetic UDCA works by replacing the patient’s more toxic, naturally-occurring bile acids with its own benign, hydrophilic form. This action protects the liver cells from damage and slows the progression of the disease.
Conservation and Legal Status
The persistent demand for bear bile has created a conservation and animal welfare crisis for bear populations. The practice of bear farming, primarily located in China, South Korea, and Vietnam, confines an estimated 12,000 bears, mostly Asiatic black bears and sun bears. Bile is extracted from these live animals through surgically implanted catheters or permanent abdominal fistulas, leading to chronic infections and high mortality rates.
In addition to farming, demand for supposedly superior wild bile drives poaching of bears across Asia and North America. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates the international trade of bear parts.
The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) are listed on CITES Appendix I, which prohibits all commercial international trade. The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is listed on Appendix II, allowing regulated trade under permit.
However, the international illegal trade is facilitated by the fact that the gallbladders from different bear species are virtually indistinguishable to customs officials. This loophole allows poachers and smugglers to falsely claim that parts are from Appendix II species, undermining the international protection measures.