Uva Ursi

Scientific name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Other common Names: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arberry, Bearberry, Rockberry, Bear Grape, Coralillo, Mealberry, Hogberry, Mountain Cranberry, Sandberry, Kinnikinnick,
Uva ursi is a sprawling evergreen shrub that grows in alpine wooded area in various regions, including Europe, Siberia, North America, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Himalayas. Uva ursi flourishes in humus-rich earth. This plant is a dwarfed plant, evergreen perennial with creeping, short, red-brown branches. White or Pink flowers blossom in the season. Some people said that bears are very fond of the gleaming, bright pink or red berries that are edible but some bitter tasting.

Habitat: Uva Ursi, named plant flourishes merely a few inches tall and have a preference poor soils in sun and can continue to exist temperatures of -50.

Part Used: The leaves are used in medicinal preparations, but not the berries.

Common Use:
Uva ursi is also recognized as bearberry. It has a history of therapeutic use since 2nd century. Resident Americans has worn it as a medicine for urinary area infections; in actual fact, in anticipation of the detection of antibiotics and sulfa drugs, uva ursi was the cure of preference for such bladder and associated diseases. Uva Uri's antimicrobial properties have proved to be fight with infection and diuretic effects. No studies on people have been done yet, however.

Uva ursi is commonly used to cure kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and cystitis (bladder inflammation). Uva ursi has a main active compound named arbutin, hydroquinone derivative.

This compound is absorbed in the stomach and altered into a matter with astringent, antimicrobial, and disinfectant properties.

As uva ursi works, it passes out of the body during urination, it works on the mucus membranes of the urinary zone to appease irritation, fight infection and reduce inflammation.

Available Forms
Uva ursi is obtainable as crushed leaf or powder preparations on commercial level.

How to Take It
Uva ursi is not suggested for children less than 12 years.
Adult
Suggested doses are:
• Dry extract: 100-210 ml.gms hydroquinone derived 1-4 times daily
• Dried herb (accessible in capsules): 1.5 to 2.5 grams, 3-4 times per day
• Liquid extract (1:1, 25% alcohol): 1.5 to 2.5 mL, 3-4 times per day
• Tea: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 heaping teaspoon of dried herb. Sheer for 15 minutes. Gulp down to four times for each day.
• Tincture (1:5): 2 to 4 ml, 3-4 times for each day.