Uva ursi
Scientific names: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arbutus uva-ursi
Family: Ericacea
Alternate names: Arberry, Arbousier, Arbousier Traînant, Bear's Grape, Bearberry, Beargrape, Busserole, Common Bearberry, Faux Buis, Hogberry, Kinnikinnik, Manzanita, Mountain Box, Mountain Cranberry, Petit Buis, Ptarmigan Berry, Raisin de Renard, Raisin d'Ours, Raisin d'Ours Commun, Red Bearberry, Redberry, Rockberry, Sagackhomi, Sandberry, Uva del Oso, Uva Ursi Extract, Uvae Ursi Folium
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Depigmentation, Diuretic, Ocular
Background
Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a small, evergreen shrub with orange berries. The leaves have been traditionally used as medicine.
Uva ursi can reduce bacteria in the urine and also increase urine flow. It also seems to reduce swelling. Bears are very fond of the uva ursi fruit. The Latin name "uva ursi" means "bear's grape".
Uva ursi is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), enlarged prostate, bronchitis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uva ursi can reduce bacteria in the urine and also increase urine flow. It also seems to reduce swelling. Bears are very fond of the uva ursi fruit. The Latin name "uva ursi" means "bear's grape".
Uva ursi is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), enlarged prostate, bronchitis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Uva ursi is possibly safe when taken for up to 5 days. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and can turn the urine greenish-brown. Uva ursi is possibly unsafe when taken in high doses or for a long time. It can cause liver damage and death when used in high doses. When used for a long time, it might increase the risk for cancer.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if uva ursi is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Uva ursi is possibly unsafe in children when taken by mouth. It contains a chemical that might cause severe liver problems. Don't give uva ursi to children.
Retinal thinning: Uva ursi contains a chemical that can thin the retina in the eye. Avoid uva ursi if your retinas are already thinning.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Using uva ursi during pregnancy is likely unsafe. It might start labor.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if uva ursi is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Uva ursi is possibly unsafe in children when taken by mouth. It contains a chemical that might cause severe liver problems. Don't give uva ursi to children.
Retinal thinning: Uva ursi contains a chemical that can thin the retina in the eye. Avoid uva ursi if your retinas are already thinning.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs). Most research shows that taking oral uva ursi does not help to treat UTIs. It isn't clear if oral uva ursi can help to prevent UTIs.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of uva ursi might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Lithium
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking uva ursi might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Uva ursi might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Uva ursi might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Glucuronidated drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Uva ursi might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications moved by pumps in cells (P-glycoprotein substrates)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Some medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Uva ursi might change how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the body. In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a medication.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all products
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Per tablespoon:
- Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)
- Juniperus communis (berry)
- Zea mays
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf)
- Equisetum arvense
- Eupatorium purpureum
- Petroselinum crispum (root)
- Petroselinum crispum (leaf)
- Solidago virgaurea (flower)
- Hydrangea arborescens (root)
- Mentha x piperita (leaf)
- Althaea officinalis (root)
- Arctium lappa (root)
- Echinacea purpurea (root)
- Orange peel
- Echinacea angustifolia (root)
- Coriandrum sativum
RRP: $29.95$25.46Save: 15%
Create account
Per 5 g:
- Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)
- Lepidium meyenii
- Angelica polymorpha
- Vitex agnus-castus (berry)
- Dioscorea villosa
- Lycium barbarum
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Turnera diffusa
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (root)
- Humulus lupulus (flower)
- Valeriana officinalis
- Passiflora incarnata
- Juniperus communis (berry)
- Zea mays
RRP: $49.95$42.46Save: 15%
Create account
Per capsule:
$44.95
OOS at supplier
Create account
return unknown
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 31/07/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 21/11/2022 02:51:47. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
