Uva ursi, also known as bearberry, is an herb that is often used in treating bladder problems. Bladder problems affect many Americans and can significantly reduce your quality of life. The bladder is a hollow organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine prior to voiding. According to MedlinePlus, conditions that may affect your bladder include infection, urinary incontinence, interstitial cystitis and bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor before using uva ursi to treat your bladder condition.
Plant Information
Uva ursi is an evergreen shrub that thrives in mountain forests throughout various parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Uva ursi, a slow-growing plant, possesses short brown branches and bell-shaped flowers that are either pink or white. Although sour, the berries of the uva ursi plant are often eaten by bears. The leaves of the plant contain numerous medicinal ingredients -- including beta-carotene, gallic acid and quercetin -- and are used in herbal preparations.
Herb Actions
The leaves of the uva ursi plant have several health actions when used medicinally. In her book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," herbalist and naturopath Sharol Tilgner states that uva ursi has diuretic action and is used as a urinary tract antiseptic to help combat harmful bacteria. Uva ursi also promotes the excretion of fluids and strengthens your heart muscle. This herb may be helpful in reducing the irritation of stones passing through your ureter.
Herb Uses
According to Phyllis A. Balch, a nutrition researcher, certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," uva ursi is helpful in treating bladder disorders and problems associated with your spleen, liver, pancreas, small intestines, kidney and prostate gland. Uva ursi may be especially effective in treating bladder infections. Uva ursi boosts blood flow to your kidneys and stimulates tubular function in these organs. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that uva ursi is most commonly used to treat cystitis, or bladder infections.
Additional Information
Bladder problems may lead to serious health consequences if not addressed in a timely manner. Bladder infections, for example, can lead to kidney infections -- which may cause irreversible kidney damage -- and blood in your urine. Although uva ursi may be helpful in treating various bladder disorders, you should always discuss the use of this herb with your healthcare provider before using it to treat your bladder condition. In most cases, uva ursi should be used in combination with other appropriate treatments suggested by your physician.
References
- MedlinePlus: Bladder Diseases
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Uva Ursi
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