September 12, 1999 UVA URSI Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Family Ericaceae Synonyms Bearberry, kinnikinnick, arbutus.

Description

Bearberry is a trailing evergreen shrub and often forms mats 5 cm to 1 m in length. The flowers are pale pink to white, urn-shaped, and arranged in terminal racemes. The evergreen leaves are oval, leathery and thin. The branches tend to lose their rusty bark in shreds. Uva ursi is similar to some Vaccinium species though the berries are red and more mealy and less juicy than vacciniums.

Part Used

leaves.

Constituents

The primary active constituent of uva ursi leaves is 5-18% arbutin (hydroquinone beta-glycoside) and lesser amounts of methylarbutin and piceoside. Additional constituents include ericinol, ericolin, ursone, flavinoids, allantoin, tannins (6 -30%, of the gallic and ellagic types), ursolic acid (0.4 to 0.75%), phenolic acids, uvaol, a trace of volatile oil, and resin. Uva ursi also contains quercetin and isoquercetin. Ursolic acid (urson) and isoquercetin are strong diuretics in concentrations of 1:100,000.(1-6)

Mode of Action

Arbutin undergoes hydrolysis in the body to form hydroquinone, which is a urinary disinfectant.(7-11) Hydroquinone is most effective in alkaline urine with a low specific gravity.(12) New evidence suggests that some of the antimicrobial action might be due to arbutin itself before hydrolysis. Both isoquercetin and ursolic acid (urson) have been shown to be very strong diuretics in a 1:100,000 dilution. Uva ursi has been shown to work in many types of kidney diseases including acute cystitis, and urinary catarrh.(13,14) Over consumption of uva ursi can cause a harmless greening of the urine.(15) Uva ursi has been used in urethritis and cystitis and as a urinary antiseptic.(16) It is also used for pyelitis and other genitourinary inflammations(17) for catarrhs of the urinary tract,(18) and for the treatment of nephritis and urolithiasis.(19,20)

Uva ursi has been shown to be strongly antibiotic against many organisms including Staphylococcus and E. coli. This plant has also been found useful for killing snails (Biomphalaria glabrata), known carries of tropical parasites, in concentrations as low as 50 ppm.(21,22)

Arbutin is thought to increase inhibitory action of prednisone and dexamrthasone on contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, hypersensitivity and arthritis. This points to Uva Ursi being valuable against immuni-inflammation. For diabetic therapy Uva Ursi has shown to be effective to reduce hyperphagia, reduce polydiosia and reduce weight loss in diabetics. It has no effect on blood sugar, as some other heaths do. Other areas of research include reducing hepatitis in rats and reduction of melatin production in vitro.(23)

Therapeutic Action

Diuretic, astringent, antiseptic, alterative, tonic. It is a mild CNS depressant and a stimulant.(24-30)

Energetics

Holmes lists uva ursi as astringent, cold and dry, with secondary qualities of astringing, solidifying, restoring, calming and a stabilizing movement. It enters Bladder, Kidney, Colon, Chong and Ren meridians and influences the urogenital organs, and intestines. The organism is warmth and air.(31) Tierra describes uva ursi as bitter, astringent and cold, influencing the Heart, Bladder, Small Intestines and Liver.(32)

Folklore

Uva ursi`s influence is most prominent in the genitourinary system and for this reason it has been used traditionally for calculi problems, inflammation in the kidney or bladder, and prostate problems. It is also used for diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, profuse menstruation, fevers, hemorrhoids, piles, rheumatism, gonorrhea, the spleen, liver and pancreatic areas.(33-36)

Well over a dozen Amerindian tribes used uva ursi. It was used as a panacea, narcotic, tonic, and of course, for treatment of urinary and kidney problems.(37)

Dosage

Powder - 20 - 60 grains
Infusion - 3 - 5 oz
Tincture - 10 - 20 drops
Fluid extract - 1/2 - 1 tsp
Average dose - 2.0 gram (38,39)
U.S. Dispensory - 1.3 to 4.0 grams (40)
Merck Index - 1.0 to 4.0 grams (41), 4.0 ml. (42)
Infusum Uvae Ursi Recens B.P.C. - 15 to 30ml. (43)

Toxicity and Contraindications

While large doses of uva ursi could prove toxic due to hydroquinone (symptoms would include ringing of the ears, nausea, vomiting)(44,45) this herb is considered safe, producing no symptoms of toxicity in the amounts generally available. Uva Ursi is not recommended during pregnancy or in cases of kidney stones.(46)

Official Recognition and Medical References

UK - General sales list, in BHP
France - Accepted for specific indications
Germany - Commission E, p. 224
ESCOP - July 1997
PDR for Herbal Medicine - p. 657

References

1. Allport, N.L., Chemistry and Pharmacy of Vegetable Drugs, George Newnes Ltd., London, 1943, p. 144.
2. Leung, A.Y., Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics., John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1980, p. 316.
3. Spoerke, D.G., Herbal Medications, Woodbridge Press, Santa Barbara, Ca., 1980, p. 30.
4. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., The Dispensatory of the United States of America 23rd. ed., J. B. Lippincott, Montreal, P.Q., 1943, p. 1204.
5. Wallis, T.E., Textbook of Pharmacognosy, J & H Churchill, London, 1967, p. 128.
6. Duke, J.A., Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton FL, 1985, p. 56.
7. Leung, A.Y., Ibid.
8. Spoerke, D.G., Ibid.
9. Wallis, T.E., Ibid.
10. The Merck Index 5th. ed., Merck & Co. Inc., Rahway, .J., 1940, p. 53, 571.
11. Trease, G.E. and Evans, W.C., Pharmacognosy 11th ed., Bailliere Tindall, London, 1978, p. 362.
12. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Ibid.
13. Leung, A.Y., Ibid.
14. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Ibid.
15. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Ibid.
16. Trease, G.E. and Evans, W.C., Ibid.
17. The Merck Index 5th. ed., Ibid.
18. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Ibid.
19. The Merck Index 5th. ed., Ibid
20. The Review of Natural Products; Uva Ursi 1997.
21. Benigi, R., Richere sulla presenza di sostanze ad azione antibiotica nelle piante superiori, Fitoterapia 19 (3), 1-2.
22. Schaufelberger, D., et al., On the mulloscicidal activity of tannin-containing plants, Vol. 16, 865-69, 1975.
23. The Review of Natural Products, Ibid.
24. Wallis, T.E., Ibid.
25. Spoerke, D.G., Ibid., p. 31.
26. Wren, R.C., Potter`s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, Health Science Press, Rustington, Sussex, U.K. 1975, p. 310.
27. Trease, G.E. and Evans, W.C., Ibid.
28. Allport, N.L., Ibid.
29. The Merck Index 5th. ed., Ibid.
30. Youngken, H.W., Textbook of Pharmacognosy, Blakiston, Toronto, 1950, p. 641.
31. Holmes, P., The Energetics of Western Herbs (2 vols.), Artemis Press, Boulder CO, 1989, p. 528-529.
32. Tierra, M., Planetary Herbology, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, NM, 1988, p. 224.
33. Willard, T.W., Textbook of Modern Herbology, c.w. Progressive Publishing Inc., Calgary, AB, Can., 1988, p. 179.
34. Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal, Jonathan Cape, London, 1931, p. 90.
35. The National Formulary (6th ed.), Prepared by the Committee on National Formulary, American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington, D.C., 1935, p. 429.
36. Duke, J.A., Ibid.
37. Moerman, D.E., Medicinal Plants of Native America, University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Technical Reports, Number 19, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1986, Vol.1, p. 53.
38. Duke, J.A., Ibid.
39. Youngken, H.W., Ibid.
40. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Ibid.
41. The Merck Index 5th. ed., Ibid.
42. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934, Pharmaceutical Press, London, 1934, p. 1091.
43. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934, Ibid.
44. Newall C, et al; Herbal Medicine; London Pharm. Press; 1996.
45. Spoerke, D.G., Ibid. p. 128.
46. Bradley, P.R. (Ed.), British Herbal Compendium, Vol. 1, British Herbal Medicine Association, Bournemouth, UK, 1992, p. 211-213.