Uva Ursi/Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva ursi)

All of our herbs come from certified organic sources or trusted wildcrafters.

ALSO KNOWN AS:  bearberry, kinnickinick, bearsgrape, hogberry    

PLANT FAMILY:  Ericaceae 

PART(S) USED: Dried leaves and stem fragments   

OVERVIEW: Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi is a low-growing, evergreen shrub native to mountainous regions throughout the northern hemisphere. Uva Ursi has thick leaves and clusters of urn-shaped flowers. When in fruit, the berries resemble a bunch of grapes which bears are known to occasionally snack upon. Uva Ursi translates to “grape of the bear”.  

TRADITIONAL USES: The leaves are astringent and tannic and can be tinctured, applied topically, or brewed as Uva Ursi tea.  

Traditionally, Uva Ursi has been used as an ingredient in the sacred pipe blend known as Kinnick Kinnick. It has also been used for urinary tract disorders, including infections of the kidney, bladder, and urethra; swelling (inflammation) of the urinary tract; increased urination; painful urination; and urine that contains excess uric acid or other acids.  

Uva Ursi has also been used for constipation and bronchitis. 

STORAGE: Store in an airtight container in a dry cupboard away from light. 

PRECAUTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS:  

• Use at your own risk.  

• Uva Ursi should not be taken in high doses or for longer than one month of continued use. It is known to cause nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, and a greenish-brown discoloration of the urine. Prolonged use can cause liver damage, eye problems, breathing problems, convulsions, and possible death. 
• Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have an existing medical condition, have allergies, or are on any medications.  

WARNING: This information is for educational purposes only, has not been evaluated by Health Canada, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

HEALTH CANADA REFERENCE:  https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=arctostaphylos.uva.ursi