Uva Ursi

Uva Ursi

Uva Ursi, also known as bearberry, has a history of therapeutic use dating back to the second century. The name means "grapes of the bear" and refers to its unpleasant grape tasting berries that would only be enjoyed by bears. "Native Americans used Uva Ursi as a remedy for urinary tract infections; in fact, until the discovery of sulfa drugs and antibiotics, it was the treatment of choice for such bladder and related infections" (University of Maryland Medical Centre, 2002, p. 1). Native Americans also used Uva Ursi in combination with tobacco as a smudge or smoked in a sacred pipe to send the smoker's prayers to the Great Spirit. Uva Ursi has also been used to treat back sprains, venereal disease and to ward off obesity, but the most common use of this plant is to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

Uva Ursi works primarily through its antimicrobial, astringent, and disinfectant properties. "Arbutin is its principle active constituent and is found in the leaves of the plant, it works by being broken down in the intestine into hydroquinone. After being further metabolized in the liver, hydroquinone conjugates and is excreted renally" (Newton, Combest, & Kosier, 2001, p. 233). During urination, as the hydroquinone passes out of the body, it acts on the mucous membranes of the urinary tract to relieve irritation, decrease inflammation, and fight infection.

Uva Ursi is a trailing evergreen shrub that grows two to eight inches high and flourishes in alpine forests. It usually grows as a vine or mat along open areas and down slopes. This dwarfed evergreen perennial has short creeping red-brown branches and pink or white bell shaped flowers that bloom in the spring. The leaves, which are the primary part of the plant used for their medicinal properties, are dark green and are half to one inch long. "They are rounded at the apex and taper towards the base to a very short stalk. There is no distinctive odor to the leaves but they do have an astringent and somewhat bitter taste" (Pizzorno & Murray, 1999, p. 162). Shiny bright red or pink berries, which are edible but sour tasting, are periodically located along the length of the stem.

Uva Ursi is found in many regions including North America, Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, Siberia, and the Himalayas. The plant thrives in humus rich soils and sunny lactations. It is often a dominant species in open pine forests under Jack Pines, White Spruce, Black Spruce, Paper Birch, and Quaking Aspen.

Uva Ursi leaves are the only part of this plant that are used medicinally and should be harvested in September and October. Only green leaves should be selected and dried by exposure to gentle heat. The leaves should be gathered in the morning after any dew has dried and any stained or insect eaten leaves should be rejected. Drying can be done in warm, sunny weather, out doors, but in half shade, as the leaves that dry in the shade retain their color better than those dried in direct sun.

"Uva Ursi is most commonly propagated by stem cuttings which are taken from the terminal section of the plant. It is somewhat difficult to propagate