Uva Ursi 4:1

History and Uses:
Uva Ursi is a small perennial shrub that typically grows at high elevations. In Latin, Uva means "grape," and Ursi means "of the bear;" hence, we have the herb's common name, Bearberry. Bears like eating the red berries, as did Native Americans. Most commercial Uva Ursi is grown in Spain, where the herb's Spanish name, Manzanita, means "little apple," as the berries look like the fruit. The parts of this herb used medicinally are the leaves and the berries. Uva Ursi leaf is widely used as a diuretic, astringent and antiseptic. Folk medicine around the world has recommended Uva Ursi for nephritis, kidney stones and chronic cystitis. The herb has also been used as a general tonic for weakened kidneys, liver or pancreas. In Scandinavia, the leaves are sometimes used to tan leather (because of its high tannin content). The berries can be cooked along with other foods; however, when raw, the berries are bland, but they do help to quench thirst and stimulate saliva flow and can be used as a "survival food." The berries can also be made into a cider. The primary chemical constituents of this herb include glycosides (arbutin, methylarbutin, ericolin), allantoin, flavonoids (quercetin, myricacitrin), tannins, hydroquinone, ellagic acid, gallic acid, malic acid and ursolic acid. Uva Ursi also contains vitamin A, iron, manganese, selenium and silicon, as well as a high concentration of arbutin, an antiseptic phenolic glycoside. Arbutin and other glycosides have diuretic and urinary antiseptic action. They relieve pain from bladder stones, cystitis, nephritis and kidney stones. In the urinary tract, the arbutin constituent is converted in the body to hydroquinones and glucose, which have antiseptic and disinfecting properties and also help to alkalinize the urine. The hydroquinone may turn the urine green, which is not harmful. Uva Ursi also contains allantoin which is well known for its soothing and tissue-repairing properties, and it works best when one avoids acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and juices, cranberry products, sauerkraut and vitamin C. This herb helps prevent postpartum infection and is also helpful for chronic diarrhea. As a nutritional supplement and muscle relaxant, Uva Ursi soothes, strengthens and tightens irritated or inflamed tissues. The herb neutralizes acidity in the urine, increasing urine flow, therefore reducing bloating and water retention, which may be beneficial for weight loss. Uva Ursi 's astringent properties may also assist in the treatment of some bed wetting problems.