Uva Ursi

Energetics:
Bitter, Cold, Pungent

Common Names:
Uva ursi, Arbutus, Arberry, Bear's Grape, Bearberry, Chipmunk's Apples, Hog Cranberry, Kinnikinnick, Mealberry, Mountain Box, Mountain Cherry, Mountain Cranberry, Red Bearberry, Rockberry, Sandberry, Upland Cranberry Latin Name: 4rctostaphylos uva-ursi

Family Name:
Ericaceae - Heath family

Functions:
Anti-inflammatory, antilithic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, vasoconstrictor

TCM Functions:

  1. Clears damp heat and reduces inflammation
    * Bladder damp heat; frequent painful urination, genital discharge, venereal disease
    * Large intestine damp heat; dysentery, colitis, painful and urgent defecation
  2. Promotes astriction and stops discharge
    * Blood in the urine, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, canker sores
  3. Tonifies Bladder Qi
    * Bedwetting, urinary stones, prostitutes, seminal emissions, vaginal discharge, post-urinary dripping, low back pain

Therapeutics:
Used for bedwetting, bladder stones, urinary and bladder infections, bronchitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, incontinence, painful urination, pulmonary edema, urethritis.

Note:
Uva Ursi is the most commonly used herb for acute urinary tract infections. It is important that when treating urinary tract infections with herbal medicine to keep the patient on an alkaline diet, have them avoid sugar and have concurrent professional medical advice.

Tradition:
In Latin Uva means `grape' and Ursi means `of the bear'. The plant was first documented in The Physicians ofMyddfai, a 130' century Welsh herbal.

UpS Alternatives:
Use cultivated Uva ursi as an analog for endangered species Pipsissewa (Chimaphila spp.)

Contraindications:
Uva Ursi is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the fact that it promotes contractions and can initiate labor. Uva Ursi is generally not used in children as it is a fairly potent remedy.