UVA-URSI

Latin Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Alternate Names: Bearberry, Kinnikinnik, Manzanita, Mountain Cranberry, Mountain Box, Arbutus, Chipmunk's Apples, Hog Cranberry

Family: ERICACEAE

Parts Used: Leaves, berries.

Properties: Antiseptic, Astringent, Bladder Tonic, Demulcent, Diuretic, Genito-urinary Antiseptic, Vasoconstrictor.

Internal Uses: Bedwetting, Bladder Stones, Bronchitis, Cough, Cystitis, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Edema, Gonorrhea, Incontinence, Kidney Infection, Kidney Inflammation, Kidney Stones, Painful Urination, Postpartum Infection, Pulmonary Edema, Urethritis, Urinary Bleeding, Urinary Infections

Internal Applications: Tea (do not boil), Tincture, Capsules.

Uva Ursi works best when one avoids acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and juices, cranberry products, sauerkraut and vitamin C. It helps prevent postpartum infection. In the urinary tract, arbutin gets converted into hydroquinine which helps alkalinize the urine. Uva Ursi is also helpful for chronic diarrhea.

Topical Uses: Backache, Hemorrhoids, Hives, Postpartum Pain, Postpartum Swelling, Rash, Thrush, Ulcers, Vaginitis, Wounds

Topical Applications: Sitz bath after childbirth to prevent infection and reduce swelling. Poultice for wounds. Wash for hives, skin rash. Mouthwash for thrush. Douche for vaginal infections and ulcerations. Compress for sprained back and hemorrhoids. Foot soak (in tea) to toughen the feet of hikers. Leaves have been used in traditional smoking mixtures.

Culinary uses: Berries can be cooked with other foods. Raw, the berries are bland, but they do help to quench thirst and stimulate saliva flow and can be used as survival food. Berries can be made into a cider.

Energetics: Bitter, Pungent, Cold.

Chemical Constituents: Glycosides (arbutin, ericolin), allantoin, flavonoids (quercitin, myricacitrin), tannins, ellagic acid, gallic acid, malic acid, ursolic acid.

Contraindications: Large or frequent doses may be irritating to the stomach mucosa. Avoid during pregnancy as it may decrease circulation to the uterus. Best to use for periods of ten days in a row or less. Long term use may be constipating. It may turn the urine a greenish color, which is not harmful.

Comments: In Latin, Uva means 'grape' and Ursi means 'of the bear', hence the common name Bear Berry. The Spanish name Manzanita means 'little apple' as the berries look like the fruit. In Scandinavia the leaves are used to tan leather.

The common name Uva-Ursi includes the species Arctostaphylos rubra and Arctostaphylos alpina, which are used interchangeably with Arctostaphylos uva ursi.

-- Phil in KS (cshomestead@planetkc.com), April 17, 2002