Also called bearberry, uva ursi is a shrub that grows in Europe, North America and parts of northern Asia. Uva ursi leaves are most commonly used in medicinal remedies, primarily to treat urinary tract and bladder infections. You should talk with your health-care provider before taking uva ursi, because it can cause some serious health risks and interact with certain medications.
History
The berries and leaves of the uva ursi plant have been used historically to fight infections and for weight loss, says the University of Michigan Health System. Native Americans would combine uva ursi leaves with tobacco and smoke it. Americans and Europeans also used uva ursi leaves to treat urinary infections before sulfa antibiotic drugs were developed, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Benefits
You can take uva ursi primarily to treat urinary tract infections. You can also use uva ursi to treat bladder inflammation, a condition known as cystitis, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Today, uva ursi is not typically used for any other medicinal purposes.
Function
Uva ursi contains astringent tannins that tighten the mucous membranes in your body, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. The herb also contains hydroquinone and arbutin, chemicals with antibacterial actions. These strong antibacterial properties are what makes uva ursi an effective herbal treatment for urinary tract infections, notes the University of Michigan Health System.
Scientific Evidence
A German study in 1970 and a Polish study in 1975 found that after the study participants drank uva ursi tea, their urine had antibacterial actions that could fight bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A 1992 study in Japan revealed that uva ursi was most effective in fighting urinary tract infections when the urine is alkaline, notes the University of Michigan Health System.
Dosage
You can take 2 to 4 grams daily of dried uva ursi in capsule form, with capsules standardized to contain no more than 400 to 800 mg of arbutin, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can also make a tea by soaking 3 grams of dried uva ursi leaves in five ounces of cold water for 12 hours, drinking the tea three to four times daily. Don't take uva ursi for more than 14 consecutive days and no more than five times per year, due to risks of potential toxicity, warns the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Risks
Because uva ursi contains hydroquinone, the herb can cause liver damage if you take it in high doses or for prolonged periods of time, cautions the University of Maryland Medical Center. Hydroquinone is also an irritant and a carcinogen, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The tannins in uva ursi can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps, says the University of Michigan Health System. If you have high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, ulcers, Crohn's disease, digestive problems, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you shouldn't take uva ursi, the University of Maryland advises. Also, don't take uva ursi with corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or "NSAIDs," or acidic fruits and juices.
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