Uva ursi

Uva ursi has been used as a diuretic and urinary antiseptic for more than 1,000 years by cultures as widely separated as the Chinese and American Indians.  Today it is an ingredient in most herbal diuretics and urinary remedies and many weight-loss formulas.  Even herbal conservative Varro Tyler, Ph.D., calls it "a modestly effective urinary antiseptic and diuretic."

The Roman physician Galen used uva ursi's astringent leaves to treat wounds and stop bleding.  But this herb was largely ignored by Western Herbalists until the 13th century, when Marco Polo reported Chinese physicians using it as a diuretic to treat kidney and urinary problems. Polo's famous travelogue repopularized uva ursi in Europe as a urinary and kidney remedy.

Uva ursi's association with the kidney was strengthened by the medieval Doctrine of Signatures - the idea that a plant's physical appearance revealed its healing virtues.  The herb grew in rocky, gravelly places, and at the time kidney stones were called gravel.

In the urinary tract, the arbutin in uva ursi is chemically transformed into an antiseptic chemical, hydroquinone, according to several studies.  In addition, the herb contains diuretic chemicals, including ursolic acid, powerful astringents (tannins), and a chemical that helps promote the growth of healthy new cells, allantoin.

URINARY AILMENTS:  Together, the actions of uva ursi's active chemicals support its age-old use in urinary tract infections (UTIs), and other urinary ailments.
    Some herbalists report uva ursi has cured UTIs unresponsive to pharmaceutical antibiotics.  This is certainly possible, but scientific sources say pharmaceutical antibiotics are generally more effective.  For mild urinary symptoms, try uva ursi as herbal first aid.  For urinary problems requiring professional care, use the herb in addition to standard therapies.
    But there's an important catch to using uva ursi.  To receive the greatest antiseptic benefit, the urine must be alkaline, which means you must avoid acidic foods and supplements, such as sauerkraut, citrus fruits and their juices, and vitamin C, while taking it.

WOMEN'S HEALTH: Diuretics may provide relief from the premenstrual bloating that bothers many women.  Pregnant and nursing women should not use diuretics, however.  Uva ursi also stimulates uterine contractions in animal studies, making it even more off-limits to pregnant women.

WOUND HEALING: Uva ursi's allantoin may help spur wound healing.  Allantoin is the active ingredient in several over-the-counter skin creams, such as Herpicin-L Cold Sore Lip Balm, for relief of oral herpes, and Vagimide Cream, for irritation associated with vaginal infections.

Uva usri often turns urine a dark green. Do not become alarmed.

Herbal weight loss formulas typically contain diuretics.  Uva ursi is the diuretic most often used.  Because they boost urine production, diuretics temporarily eliminate some water weight.  Weight loss using diuretics almost always invariably returns.  Weight control experts do not recommend diuretics.  The key to permanent weight control includes a low-fat, high fiber diet, and regular aerobic exercise.

The Food and Drug Administration lists uva ursi as an herb of "undefined safety." For otherwise healthy nonpregnant, nonnursing adults, uva ursi is considered relatively safe in amounts typically recommended.

Uva ursi should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor.