In the Native culture, Bearberry is used as a smudge or smoked in a sacred pipe carrying the smoker's prayers to the Great Spirit. Bearberry can be used in a tea to treat inflammation of the urinary tract and kidney stones. The berries are also made into a tea to ward off obesity. The fruit can be used in jelly, jam, and sauces. Some cultures, such as the Scandinavian culture, use bearberry to tan leather.

Other common names for Bearberry include: Arberry, Bear's Grape, Crowberry, Foxberry, Kinnikinnick, Mealberry, Red Bearberry.