Manzanita species, some of which are known as uva ursi, are evergreen shrub-like trees. Manzanita grows in western North America, including Mexico, and is characterized by smooth, reddish bark. Manzanita bark is boiled and prepared as a tea, or more accurately, herbal infusion. Manzanita tea has been used by Native Americans as an herbal remedy for genitourinary problems for many generations. Manzanita tea can be toxic in vary large amounts, so consultation with a health professional is recommended.
Genitourinary Remedy
Manzanita bark tea has a long history of being able to combat bladder and urinary tract infections. According to "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine," manzanita was used by Native American tribes starting around 2,000 years ago to treat bladder and urinary infections, as well as other genitourinary issues, such as prostate infection. Although research on manzanita is scarce, it displays antimicrobial activity, especially against bacteria, which makes it so effective against genitourinary infections, as cited in "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine."
Gastrointestinal Remedy
When the bark of manzanita curls off naturally, it can be soaked to produce a tea that is also used to combat nausea and upset stomachs. The bark is rich in tannins, which are known to display anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, according to "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs." As such, manzanita tea has the potential to kill microbes that can cause gastrointestinal distress. In addition, manzanita may reduce the incidence of gastric ulcers, as about 80 percent are caused by the bacteria, H. pylori, as cited by "Human Biochemistry and Disease." Conventional tea, made from tea leaves, and red wine are also rich in tannins, which account for the astringent aftertaste. Consumption of too much tannin-rich tea can upset the stomach.
Allergy Remedy
Compounds in manzanita tea increase the effectiveness of the corticosteroids prednisolone and dexamethasone on contact dermatitis, arthritis and allergic hypersensitivities, according to studies, as cited on Drugs.com. This suggests anti-inflammatory properties of manzanita products.
Preparation of Manzanita Bark Tea
Manzanita bark curls off naturally, depending on the season, but it can also be cut off in order to make tea. Obviously, waiting for the bark to peel off is more environmentally friendly. The bark must first be separated by peeling the exterior reddish layer from the inner green bark, which is the one that is used. The green bark is then soaked in water, which dilutes some of the tannic acid content, then boiled in water to make tea.
References
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine"; Simon Mills; 1994
- "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs"; Nicola Reavley; 1999
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- Drugs.com: Uva Ursi - Manzanita
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