It’s also been used to treat dark skin patches, though little research supports this treatment.
The plant, whose scientific name isArctostaphylos uva-ursi, has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
Uva ursi is often referred to as bearberry because bears seem to enjoy eating its red berries.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
The Latin term “uva ursi” translates to “bear’s grapes.”
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
However, there is not enough research to support their use.
A small clinical trial in Germany found that using uva ursi initially for UTI reduced the use of antibiotics.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
What Are the Side Effects of Uva Ursi?
Dosage: How Much Uva Ursi Should I Take?
There is no standard recommended dose for uva ursi supplementation.
Speaking with your healthcare provider regarding benefits, risks, and dose of supplements is always recommended.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Uva Ursi?
Taking more than the recommended dose is more likely to result in side effects.
There is concern that taking too much uva ursi could lead to liver damage when used in high doses.
There also may be an increased risk of cancer when used over the long term.
Preliminary data looked at whether uva ursi could be an alternative to antibiotics for treatment.
The data from the available research do not support the use of uva ursi over antibiotics.
There are several herbal combinations for bladder infections.
Some preliminary studies show that taking uva ursi with dandelion tea may help prevent UTIs.
Still, there’s not enough clinical research to support these claims.
Extracts of the plant are also used in products applied to the skin.
Only the leaves are usednot the berriesin herbal medicinal preparations.
There is limited research to support these uses.
Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before taking any supplements.
Das S.Natural therapeutics for urinary tract infections-a review.Futur J Pharm Sci.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Hydroquinone.
de Arriba SG, Naser B, Nolte K-U.
RiskAssessment of free hydroquinone derived from arctostaphylos uva-ursi folium herbal preparations.International Journal of Toxicology.
2013;32(6):442-453. doi:10.1177/1091581813507721
U.S. National Library of Medicine Drugs and Lactation Database.Uva Ursi.
Locke AB.Urinary tract infection(Uti).
In:Integrative Medicine.
In:Meylers Side Effects of Drugs.
Elsevier; 2016:93-96. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53717-1.00697-1
Tungland B.Microbiota and the urogenital tract, pathogenesis, and therapies.
In:Human Microbiota in Health and Disease.
at the southern border of the geographical range of the species in Europe.Molecules.
