Uva Ursi
Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi), also known as Bearberry, Arberry, Bear Grape, Kinnikinnick, Mealberry, Mountain Cranberry, or Sandberry, is an evergreen shrub that grows over the greater part of the Northern Hemisphere and also in elevations of about 6,000 feet. It has been used since ancient times to treat a wide range of complaints. Native Americans used it with tobacco and other herbs in religious ceremonies, they used the tea to treat inflammation of the urinary tract, to treat venereal diseases, back sprains, or to ward off obesity. The leaves were powdered and applied to sores. But the medical uses of Uva Ursi were also recognized by the early Romans. In the 13th century, Marco Polo described that the Chinese used Uva Ursi to treat kidney and urinary problems. In the London Pharmacopoeia it first appeard in 1788, and in Poland and other countries, Uva Ursi leaves are still used medicinally today.
Uva Ursi Constituents and Medical Uses
Uva Ursi leaves contain arbutin, allantoin, methylarbutin, tannic acid, ursolic acid, gallic acid, hydroquinones, some essential oil, resin, phenolic glycosides, tannins, and flavonoids. It further contains vitamin A, selenium, manganese, and silicon. Arbutin is known for its diuretic and urinary antiseptic action. It relieves pain from cystitis, nephritis, and bladder and kidney stones. In the urinary tract, arbutin is converted to hydroquinones and glucose which have antiseptic and disinfecting properties, while at the same time it helps to alkalinize the urine. The hydroquinone can turn the urine green. Allantoin is known for its soothing and tissue-repairing properties. Uva Ursi helps best when acidic foods (citrus fruits and juices, sauerkraut, vitamin C, cranberry products, etc.) are avoided. Uva Ursi also helps for chronic diarrhea. Uva Ursi soothes and strengthens irritated and inflamed tissues, it neutralizes acidity in the urine and helps the urine flow to increase, thereby reducing bloating and water retention. The astringent properties in Uva Ursi may also help in the treatment of bed wetting problems. It has further been used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, back pain, bile problems, bronchitis, and diabetes by removing excessive sugar from the blood, liver problems, lung congestion, prostate gland weakness, vaginal diseases, haemorrhoids, and indigestion, and it can help to return the womb to its normal size after childbirth and prevent uteral infection.
Uva Ursi Products and Dosage
Uva Ursi is available in capsule, tablet and tea form. As it has the potential to cause liver, kidney, or stomach damage, Uva Ursi should not be taken longer than 5 days at a time and its oral use should be limited to only a few times a year. To treat urinary infections, commonly recommended doses are 2 to 4 grams per day. Tea is made by letting 3 grams of the dried leaves soak in about 5 ounces of cold water for at least 12 hours to decrease the amount of tannins. The solid particles are then strained out and the tea may be heated or consumed cold three to four times a day. Cold Uva Ursi tea may also be used as a skin wash to treat mild skin infections.
Uva Ursi Risks and Precautions
Pregnant women should not take Uva Ursi as it may cause a tightening of the uterus. Breastfeeding women should not take Uva Ursi, either, as not enough is known about how Uva Ursi might affect an infant. People with any kind of liver, kidney, or stomach condition should not take Uva Ursi. The following side effects have been reported: brownish or greenish urine, upset stomach, nausea, and ringing in the ears. In doses of 6 grams or more taken at one time, Uva Ursi can cause seizures or cyanosis, and a single dose of 30 grams has been reported to cause death. Finally, tanning containing products taken over long periods of time have beeen associated with cancers of the nose and esophagus.
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