Uva Ursi Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Arberry, Arbousier, Arbousier Traînant, Bear's Grape, Bearberry, Beargrape, Bussserole, 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 CAUTION: Please refer to separate listings for Alpine Cranberry, Cramp, Cranberry
Scientific Name
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi
Why Do People Use Uva Ursi ?
Oral preparations of Arctostaphylos pungens (Uva ursi), like uva ursi powder, are used for the treatment of conditions of urinary tract, urinary tract infections (UTIs), urethritis, cystitis, constipation issues, diuresis, dysuria, lithuria, pyelonephritis, bronchitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
In mixture, an herbal preparation containing hops, uva ursi and peppermint is utilized to treat people with strangury enuresis, compulsive and painful urination.
Is It Safe To Use?
Possibly Safe - Oral and appropriate (for short-term) consumption of uva ursi powder is thought to be safe. Initial experiments suggest that uva ursi may be safe when used for short-term.
Possibly Unsafe - There are some adverse effects reported due to the long term, oral consumption of uva ursi powder. Hydroquinone, which is an active constituent of uva ursi, may lead to some adverse effects when used for long durations. Hydroquinone can have carcinogenic and mutagenic effects and long-term use may result in major adverse effects. According to a case report, 56-year-old female developed paracentral scotomas, bull's-eye maculopathy and retinal thinning after three years of orally using uva ursi tea. Researchers believe that this was because of decreased melanin metabolism. One of uva ursi constituents, named hydroquinone, may inhibit melanin production. So patients are advised to avoid long term consumption of uva ursi.
Likely Unsafe Pregnancy - Due to oxytocic effects, pregnant females should avoid using uva ursi.
Avoided by Breast Feeding Females - Due to scarce and unreliable information, breast feeding females should avoid utilization of uva ursi.
How Effective Is Uva Ursi ?
To rate the effectiveness of uva ursi in following condition, there is insufficient and unreliable information available.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Initial studies recommend that oral combination of multi ingredient product having uva ursi and dandelion appears to significantly decrease the rate of recurrence of UTIs in women. But patients should avoid long term usage of uva ursi because there it is not confirmed wether it is safe to use or not.
How Uva Ursi Works?
The most effective part of Arctostaphylos pungens is its leaves. Uva ursi can have urinary astringent and antiseptic impacts. There are some studies which report about its diuretic effects but others oppose this idea. Its constituents include tannins, arbutin (a phenol) and hydroquinone. The tannins are responsible for severe adverse gastrointestinal tract impacts. Uva ursi powder and its constituent (arbutin) show antimicrobial action in vitro. Arbutin is ingested from the gastrointestinal tract remain same and is hydrolyzed to hydroquinone in alkaline urine. There it can apply astringent and antiseptic impacts.
Hydroquinone, another constituent of uva ursi, is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that hinders the production of melanin. Melanin is present in different ocular layers. Changes in melanin metabolism lead to retinal damage.
Hydroquinone has cytotoxic effects in vitro. In rats, uva ursi has anti-inflammatory effects. Over dose of uva ursi can result in ototoxicity.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Uva Ursi ?
Orally - Uva ursi powder can result in queasiness, vomiting, gastrointestinal distress, and a greenish-cocoa staining of the urine. Excessive usage can be ototoxic.
One gram of hydroquinone is equivalent to 6-20 grams of uva ursi powder can result in nausea, tinnitus, shortness of breath, vomiting, convulsions, cyanosis, collapse and delirium. Hydroquinone in five grams dosage, which is equivalent to 30-100 grams of uva ursi, can lead to death.
Other side effects of uva ursi are irritation, hepatotoxicity and inflammation of the urinary tract mucous membranes. In youngsters, it can result in liver damage because of its tannin content.
A case has been reported of retinal thinning, paracentral scotomas and bull's-eye maculopathy in a 56-year-old female following three years of uva ursi tea ingestion. This is likely because of diminished ocular melanin synthesis. The constituent hydroquinone of uva ursi restrains the production of melanin.
How Uva Ursi Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
There is no interaction between uva ursi powder and various supplements & herbs.
How Uva Ursi Interacts With Drugs?
Lithium - Interaction rating between Arctostaphylos pungens and various drugs are moderate so be careful about this mixture. Because of these potential diuretic impacts, uva ursi powder may increase lithium levels of lithium. Lithium dosage for such patients should be decreased.
How Uva Ursi Interacts With Foods?
There is no known interaction between uva ursi powder and various food items.
How Uva Ursi Interacts With Lab Tests?
Colorimetric Urine Tests - Uva ursi can interact with colorimetric urine tests, which may turn urine greenish-brown.
How Uva Ursi Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Retinal Thinning - Uva ursi consist of hydroquinone, which inhibits melanin synthesis and maybe responsible for retinal thinning. Uva ursi powder may aggravate retinal thinning in patients suffering from this condition. Long-term consumption of uva ursi should be avoided in these patients.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Uva Ursi ?
ORAL Dosage of dried herb should be 1.5 to 4 grams every day. Uva ursi is also consumed as tea. A tea is made by mixing three grams of the dried leaves into 150 mL cold water for 12 to 24 hours and then straining. Such tea should be consumed up to four time every day. Uva ursi tea should be made with cold water to lessen the tannin content. The hydroquinone derivative, arbutin, is generally consumed in a range 100 to 210 mg up to four times every day. The luqiuid extract (in a ratio 1:1 in 25% concentrated alcohol) should be orally used 1.5-4 mL thrice every day. Medical advice is required for urinary tract symptoms continuing for longer than two days. Uva ursi should not be utilized for more than one week without monitoring because of its potential risks. Restrict its use for less than five times per year.
Comments
Bears are mostly fond of the fruit which is implied in the Latin name uva ursi, which refers to bear's grape. Various authorities refer to uva ursi as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. But the associated plants, Arctostaphylos coactylis and Arctostaphylos adentricha have also been named as uva ursi by some writers.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
