Herb of the Month: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry or Uva Ursi)
Welcome to month two of Herb of the Month.
Today, I write about Arctostaphylos uva ursi aka. Bearberry or Uva Ursi. I will use Uva Ursi since this is the name I use in practice. I actually got to know Uva Ursi, properly, after about a year of working as a Herbalist! It wasn’t one of my first go-to’s and I think that came down to not seeing many UTI/kidney related conditions at the beginning of my career, and by then I found my initial herbal repetoire. That is not to say I wasn’t aware of her benefits. Now, I use Uva Ursi in most uterine herbal tonics, if necessary.
Uva Ursi, an evergreen, is native to the northern hemisphere and is an excellent herb for urinary tract infections. Urinary infections such as pyelitis, cystitis and urethritis. A wonderful herb to help alleviate pain from acute urinary tract infection. Uva Ursi is known for its biochemical constituent Arbutin. Arbutin is converted in the body into a very strong urinary antimicrobial, making it beneficial for the whole urinary tract as well as being a useful diuretic.
I’m talking urinary infection, kidney infection, postpartum haemorrhage, toning the uterus, ulceration in the bladder or kidney, cleansing the blood, and managing bed-wettting. In complete seperate cultures, China and North America, the ancient Chinese and Native Americans came to the exact same conclusion - that Uva Ursi was a remedy for urinary health. Modern research has now caught up with the wisdom. The Native Americans used it after birthing to tone the uterus to prevent infection. Uva Ursi is a herb of Mars: energizing and stimulating creating action, ideas, dreams into the physical manifestation.
Energetics: Cool, bitter, astringent in TCM
Parts Used: Leaf
Action: Astringent, antiseptic, diuretic, demulcent.
Preparation: Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons of the dried leaves in 1 cup of water. Let gently simmer for 5-10minutes. 1 cup tea 3 times/day.
Uva Ursi is safe to drink as a tea, best used short term and under a Herbalists supervision. Not recommended during pregnancy, lactation, or for children under 12.
