Description
Botanical: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Other common names: Bearberry, Bear's Grape, Crowberry, Foxberry, Hog Cranberry, Kinnikinnick, Mealberry, Arbutus, Manzanita, Mountain Cranberry, Mountain Box, Hog berry
Uva Ursi has been used for centuries as a mild diuretic with powerful antiseptic qualities that help to remedy the full range of urinary tract infections, such as prostatitis, cystitis, urethritis and vaginitis, among others. It helps to remove wastes and toxins from the body and the accumulation of uric acid in the blood to relieve gout, arthritis and kidney stones. Uva Ursi is also a great way to eliminate excess water weight.
Country of Origin: Mexico
Beneficial Uses:
Uva Ursi has been used for centuries to promote the excretion of fluids, while at the same time exerting a powerful antiseptic action that helps to combat bacteria and functioning as an effective herbal remedy for urinary tract infections. The arbutin content is a strong astringent and herbal antiseptic that has a curative effect on disorders of the bladder, kidneys, spleen, liver, pancreas and small intestine, and is also a tonic that strengthens and imparts tone to the urinary mucous membrane, which may serve certain bed-wetting problems.
Uva Ursi has shown promise in relieving Cardiac edema. As a natural diuretic, Uva Ursi appears to relieve the fluid accumulation and swelling of the limbs due to congestive heart failure (although not around the heart per se) and also in cases of pulmonary edema (excess water in the lungs). There have been reports that Uva Ursi may also strengthen the heart muscle.
Contraindications:
Pregnant women, nursing women, and children under the age of twelve should not use Uva Ursi. Use of Uva Ursi should be limited to no more than fourteen days at a time, and your overall use of this herb should be limited to no more than five treatment cycles each year. Excessive amounts (many times the recommended dosage) should not be taken, as it may be irritating to the stomach mucosa. People with chronic kidney disease, peptic ulcers or duodenal ulcers should avoid this herb, and its use may aggravate gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Use of this herb may turn the urine a greenish color, which is not harmful.
