Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) leaf cut and sifted, aka Manzanita, Bearberry -  Bulk.

All of our bulk herbs are organic when available, otherwise herbs are wildcrafted and responsibly sourced.

Available in either increments of 2 oz or save 20% when you purchase a pound.

SUGGESTED USE:

Make an infusion using 1 heaping teaspoon per cup of boiling water. Steep 15 minutes, covered. Strain. Dose: 1 cup of the infusion (tea) 1-2 times per day as needed.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Use for ideally no longer than one week (take a one week break and then resume, if needed). Large or frequent doses may be irritating to the stomach mucosa and could possibly cause nausea and vomiting. Long-term use may be constipating; it can be beneficial to combine it with a demulcent herb such as cornsilk, or marshmallow root.

Avoid during pregnancy, as uva-ursi may decrease circulation to the uterus. Arbutin inhibits the breakdown of insulin and should be used cautiously by those that are hypoglycemic. It can turn urine a greenish color, due to the hydroquinone, though this effect is not harmful.

EXTRA INFORMATION:

The genus name Arctostaphylos is from the Greek word "arcto", meaning bear, and "staphyles", meaning bunch of berries or grapes, translates to the common name Bearberry. The species name uva-ursi also translates as Bearberry, deriving from the Latin "uva", meaning grape, and "ursi", meaning of the bear. The common name Manzanita is Spanish for "little apple," as the berries look like the apples.

Uva Ursi is a small, low-growing evergreen shrub native to Asia, Europe, and North America. It is often found growing in woodlands at elevations of up to 10,000 feet in coarse, gravelly soil. The tips of the shrub grow upright to a height of 20 inches, at the most. The stems forming a carpet. The leaves are alternate, obovate, shiny on top, and paler below, and they have a leathery texture. The pale pink, bell-shaped flowers grow in terminal clusters. The fruit is a small scarlet berry with mealy pulp.

Uva Ursi has been used by European herbalists to treat kidney problems since the Middle Ages. In North America, the Cheyenne and Sioux used it to promote labor contractions, and it was included in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 until 1936. 

The leaves are not generally considered edible, aside from making tea. The berries can be eaten raw or cooked. They are bland, but they do help quench thirst and stimulate saliva flow and can be used as survival food. They are best, however, when mixed with other foods such as fruits or juices.

Uva Ursi is used to tan leather in Scandinavia. Not coincidentally, it also can be prepared as a foot soak to help toughen the feet, which can be useful for hikers. The leaves are sometimes included in smoking mixtures. The leaves yield a yellowish brown dye. The mashed berries were once applied as a waterproofing agent on cedar baskets.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.