Reviewed by Russell Greenfield, M.D., August, 2016. This is why uva ursi may be effective at alleviating UTIs. You must be logged before you can follow this page. We have a strict editorial process. In late spring, white to pink flowers bloom, eventually producing ¼- to ½-inch red berry fruit that survives until early winter. Enter your email and we'll keep you on top of the latest nutrition research, supplement myths, and more. of water for 12 hours. When this metabolite is eliminated through urine, it also prevents bacteria from adhering to tissue in the area. Crushed leaves, powdered preparations, and capsules. Examine.com is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. Only the leaves are used—not the berries—in herbal medicinal preparations. Click here umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/uva-ursi. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of references In the past, it has been recommended as preventive against recurrent UTI, but there are significant safety concerns. Looking to improve your health using the latest evidence? Lower Your Blood Pressure In 4 Simple Steps. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, bearberry, bear's grape, foxberry, crowberry, kinnikinnick, tinnick, Uva ursi may require storage in a dark and air-tight location for shelf life, Possible drug interactions due to effects on enzymes involved in drug metabolism (P-glycoprotein and some CYPs including CYP3A4). Got Leftovers? It can also be taken as a tea. The leaf does not need to be taken with a meal. Uva ursi may kill some bacteria that cause UTIs and reduce inflammation. All factual claims are Get actionable, evidence-supported information to achieve your health goals, https://examine.com/supplements/uva-ursi/. You are now following Uva ursi. This page features 44 references. https://examine.com/supplements/uva-ursi/, © 2011-2020 Examine.com Inc | Privacy | Terms of Service | Disclaimer | About Us | Contact Examine.com. 5 (2002): 285-293. followed by specifically-applicable references. Examine.com and its Editors do not advocate nutritional supplementation over proper medical advice or treatment and this sentiment will never be expressed through pages hosted under Examine.com. Uva ursi is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth short-term (for up to one month). to see the full set of research information and references for Uva ursi. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty. Derivatives of the plant are also used for topical skin preparations. Consumerlab. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. The recommended dose is between 420-600mg, taken once a day in three doses throughout the day (140-220mg, three times). The appropriate dose of uva ursi depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. Uva ursi tea and capsules are both effective for delivering arbutin to the urinary tract. Our evidence-based analysis on uva ursi features This page features 44 references. When Buying Uva Ursi: Uva ursi contains a compound called arbutin; look for standardized products that contain 400-800 mg of arbutin. Uva ursi has antibacterial properties because of its main bioactive, arbutin. Uva ursi supplementation is usually recommended in response to a specific ailment, rather than as a daily preventative. It can cause liver damage, eye problems, breathing problems, convulsions, and death. Uva ursi is likely safe for short-term use in adults, but it may cause nausea, vomiting, and urine discoloration in some people. manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. Yarnell, Eric. Head, Kathleen A. It is a fruit-bearing plant, and grows in cooler climates suitable for similar berries bears eat. The plant produces small; stiff evergreen leaves that last 1-3 years before falling. Examine.com and its Editors do not ensure that unforeseen side effects will not occur even at the proper dosages, and thereby does not assume liability for any side effects from supplements or practices hosted under the domain of Examine.com. Uva ursi is most commonly used for treating acute urinary tract infections (UTIs). Arbutin creates a metabolite called hydroquinone glucuronide. Uva Ursi. #5 Uva Ursi Dosage The recommended dose of dried leaves is to take 2-4 grams per day, which are standardized to contain about 400 to 800 mg of arbutin per dose. Uva ursi, also known as bearberry, kinnikinnick, and pinemat manzanita, is a small groundcover shrub distributed throughout northern latitudes and in high altitudes further south. "Uva ursi," Examine.com, published on 22 December 2014, last updated on dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. Also, you must keep your urine alkaline in order for the uva ursi to work – this means eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. Uva Ursi Dosage: As dried herb, 2-4 g per day, standardized to a total of 400-800 mg of arbutin. www.drweil.com. 4 (1993): 441-443. As a tea, soak 3 g of dried leaves in 5 oz. Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement naturaldatabaseconsumer.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?rn=3&cs=NONMP&s=NDC&pt=100&id=350&fs=NDC&searchid=45727925, University of Maryland Medical Center. Bears eat the fruit berries, leading to the plant’s Latin name uva ursi, which means “grape’s of the bear.” Native Americans have used uva ursi for hundreds of years, often combining the leaves with tobacco and other herbs for smoking. ©Copyright 2020 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. However, don’t use it for more than a week because it can irritate the liver. “Botanical medicines for the urinary tract.” World journal of urology 20, no. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered Soak this amount in 5 ounces of water for 12 hours, strain the herbs, and drink as a tea 3-4 times daily. Uva ursi tea and capsules are both effective for delivering arbutin to the urinary tract. Uva ursi is available commercially as crushed leaf and powder preparations, including tea, tinctures, and capsules to be taken by mouth. It can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, and a greenish-brown discoloration of the urine.. 44 unique references to scientific papers. All rights reserved. The leaves of uva ursi are traditionally brewed into a tea and used to improve urinary health. High-dose and long-term use (more than two to four weeks) are strongly discouraged because they have been associated with liver damage and eye problems, and there are suggestions of carcinogenicity. As a tea, soak 3 g of dried leaves in 5 oz. However, uva ursi is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses or long-term. 9, 2014]. [Updated Dec. 21, 2011; Reviewed Dec. 21, 2011; Accessed Apr. Talk with your doctor before taking uva ursi. Larsson, Bertil, Aino Jonasson, and Stefan Fianu. Though the mechanisms behind uva ursi’s effects are known, there is a lack of human evidence assessing the effect of supplementation on UTIs, so it cannot be specifically recommend at this time. Uva ursi is most commonly available as a dried or crushed herb, capsule, or powder. However, extended use of uva ursi may be harmful and is not recommended for long-term prevention of UTIs. Supplementation should not last longer than one to two weeks. Strain the tea and drink hot or cold, 3-4 times per day. The recommended dose is between 420-600mg, taken once a day in three doses throughout the day (140-220mg, three times). We have a strict editorial process. consumerlab.com/tnp.asp?chunkiid=21533. SOURCES: Uva Ursi. Examine.com offers a membership and guides based on personalized, comprehensive research analysis. This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence. for this page. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. As dried herb, 2-4 g per day, standardized to a total of 400-800 mg of arbutin. The standard uva ursi dose for the treatment of urinary ailments is determined by the arbutin content of the supplement. “Natural approaches to prevention and treatment of infections of the lower urinary tract.” Alternative Medicine Review 13, no. If undergoing medical therapies, then consult with your respective Therapist or Health Care Professional about possible interactions between your Treatment, any Pharmaceuticals or Drugs being given, and possible nutritional supplements or practices hosted on Examine.com. 18 September 2019, The standard uva ursi dose for the treatment of urinary ailments is determined by the arbutin content of the supplement. of water for 12 hours. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, also known as uva ursi or bear’s grape, is a plant found in North America and Eurasia. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. Examine.com does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after visiting these pages, and does not assume liability if one misuses supplements. One double-blind trial found that women who took an uva ursi extract for one month experienced a significant decrease in recurrence of UTI symptoms at the one-year follow-up to the study.