Uva Ursi

Content: Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) dried leaf

Preparation: 1-2 tsp per cup, steep covered 10-15 minutes. Drink 3 times daily.

Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) — Dried Leaf

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaf, traditionally known as uva ursi, bearberry or kinnikinick, contains a spectrum of phenolic glycosides (notably arbutin), hydroquinone derivatives, tannins, flavonoids and triterpenoids that contribute to its complex phytochemical profile.¹,² These compounds have been examined in vitro for antioxidant, astringent and antimicrobial interactions, including activity against bacterial strains associated with urinary tract infections in experimental settings.²,³ In North American and European herbal traditions, dried bearberry leaf has been prepared as teas and infusions to support urinary tract comfort and mucosal membrane tone, with its astringent constituents associated with tightening effects on epithelial surfaces.¹ Contemporary reviews of herbal approaches to urinary tract conditions place bearberry among herbs with phenolic and polyphenolic agents that may modulate oxidative stress and bacterial biofilms in vitro.² EMA regulatory inventories recognise Uvae ursi folium as a medicinal herbal material with an ongoing call for clinical data in urinary tract contexts.⁴

This information is for educational purposes only and does not refer to the effects of any specific product.

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1. Bokelmann, J. M. (2022). 75 – Uva Ursi/Bearberry/Kinnikinic/Bear Grape (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Leaf. In J. M. Bokelmann (Ed.), Medicinal Herbs in Primary Care (pp. 645–647). Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323846769000751
2. Saddam, M., Mishra, S. K., Singh, N., Prasad, S. B., Tandon, S., Rawat, H., … Meena, A. K. (2025). A comprehensive review on herbal approaches for treatment of urinary tract infections: Scope and challenges. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis, 101414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101414 
3. Romm, A., Hardy, M. L., & Mills, S. (2010). Uva ursi. In A. Romm, M. L. Hardy, & S. Mills (Eds.), Botanical medicine for women's health (pp. 547–549). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-07277-2.00031-3 
4. European Medicines Agency. (n.d.). Uvae ursi folium — herbal medicinal product inventory. European Medicines Agency. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/uvae-ursi-folium

• Avoid this herb when pregnant or breastfeeding
• Uva ursi is a high tannin containing herb and is therefore cautioned in long term use, iron deficiency, malnutrition.
• Best taken two hours away from meals and prescribed medications.