Name Uva Ursi, Bearberry, Kinnikinnick (Klallam Indian), Chipmunk's apples, Mealberry, Tinnick, Sagack-homi (Canadian Indian), Haskin (French), Sac-a-commis (Hudson Bay trader common name), and dozens more. The Latin name means "grapes of the bear," since bears often eat the berries. "Kinnikinnick" in the Klallam language means "smoking mixture."
Botanical Description Low, trailing evergreen shrub, with tough shiny green leaves. Waxen urn-shaped flowers and bright red berries. Long, flexible branches.
Ethnobotanical Background Used by many Native American tribes as part of the smoking mixture in sacred pipes and to train Shamans in the arts of divination and prophecy. Currently used as a visionary herb for those seeking increased psychic activity (1). Uva ursi has also been used as a natural pesticide against snails (11) and as a natural dye (7).
Parts Used Leaves collected in summer and autumn. Ripe fruits have been traditionally cooked into a mock-cranberry sauce.
Habitat
Found in small thickets in hilly areas in northern areas such as Canada and the upper midwestern United States (1, 7). It is also found throughout Europe and Asia (11). It prefers dry and sandy or rocky slopes. There are 50 other species common to North America such as red bearberry (A. rubra) and black bearberry (A. alpina), as well as manzanita (A. columbiana) which is an ornamental on the Canadian and American western coast (7).
Taste Astringent, Bitter (Berry is slightly sweet, as well as astringent and sour) (10)
Indications and Effects Cystitis
Chronic Urinary Tract Infections caused by non-STD related microorganisms, i.e. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, etc.
- Related kidney and bladder infections
Kidney stones
Bed-wetting
Vaginal inflammation
Painful/heavy menstruation (vasoconstrictive effect on the endometrium) (6)
Diabetes related weight loss
General urinary and genital discharges
Candida
Edema
Arthritis
Hyperpigmentary disorders (Above summary from all cited sources)
Pharmacodynamics The optimal antibacterial actions occur 3-4 hours after ingesting Uva Ursi (9). Enteric coated capsules displayed the same bioavailability as the tincture (5). The tannins are responsible for the "soothing, toning, and strengthening the membranes of the urinary tract (9)." At one point, arbutin was considered to be the antiseptic constituent but now many sources indicate that arbutin breaks down in the stomach, GI tract, or glomerulus to form urinary antiseptics such as hyrdroquinone glucuronide, hydroquinone sulphate, hydroquinolone, and/or methylhydroquinone (7,
9, 11). Alkalizing the urine through diet and supplementation was a consistent goal in the treatment of urinary tract infections in the majority of my research. Otherwise the antiseptic effects are countered (5).
The quercetin and ursolic acid provide the diuretic action (11).
One study in mice suggested Uva Ursi may nullify some of the side effects of diabetes, particularly weight loss, without changing glycemic control (2).
Melanin synthesis: Arbutin causes depigmentation in humans by blocking melanosomal tyrosinase activity. This can "bleach" freckles and assist with hyperpigmentary disorders (5).
Mycoplasms: For Uva Ursi to be effective against mycoplasms (auto-immune causing pathogens reputed to cause everything from Alzheimer's Disease to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), the body must be kept alkaline. No mechanism of action was available especially since mycoplasma infections are not widely studied in conventional medical science (8).
Combinations Althea officinalis (Marshmallow root) and Agropyron repens (Crouch grass) in equal parts for their relieving, mucilaginous properties (9).
Ascorbic acid, methebamine, and other urinary acidifiers may counter the effects of Uva Ursi in the urine (2).
The Canadian Journal of Health and Nutrition offered several preparation methods for Uva Ursi:
Uva ursi tea is made by pouring half a litre (sic) of boiling water over 28
grams of the finely cut or coarsely powdered herb. This should be
steeped for 20 minutes. The tea can also be made by soaking the leaves
in cold water for six to 12 hours. This is an advantage if marshmallow
root is added. It will extract the mucilages without the starch and
minimize the extraction of tannins from the uva ursi. One cup of the
infusion can be drunk three times a day (9)
They also state that 1 gram be taken 3-6 times per day to get an average of 400-800 mg of arbutin in a day (9).
Terry Willard provides dosage data for several product forms:
Powder - 20-60 grams
Infusion - 3-5 oz.
Tincture - 10-20 drops
Fluid extract - ½ - 1 tsp.
The infusion can also be used as a douche for vaginal inflammation and sitz baths after childbirth. Uva Ursi is also indicated topically for skin rashes so can be made into a salve or poultice (7).
Safety Don't use consecutively for more than 14 days (8). Excess of hydroxyquinone can cause vertigo, vomiting, convulsions, and collapse. However, doses as high as 20 grams have produced no adverse effects in healthy individuals (9). Urine may turn green but is harmless (7). If used with other diuretics, there may be a significant loss of electrolytes (2). Tannins will also inhibit optimal nutrient uptake in the intestines (5).
When collecting, Uva Ursi is commonly confused with Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idea) and Box (Buxus sempervirens) which have different indications. It was often adulterated with these back in the 1920's and 1930's (3).
Please Note: The information contained in this section of the web site is directed toward people with technical knowledge in the botanical medicine field. We provide this information as a service to naturopathic physicians, pharmacognocists, pharmacists, midwives, plant chemists and medical herbalists and we encourage health professionals to obtain a more general education in the area before applying treatments to themselves or their patients. Bastyr University assumes no responsibility for the results obtained from using this information. If you have a serious or lingering health concern, it is important to discuss it with a health care provider.
