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Uva ursi, sometimes called bearberry leaves. Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva ursi) is an evergreen shrub that has long been popular for fighting urinary tract infections. Uva ursi has a history of medicinal use dating back to the 2nd century. It has been widely used as a diuretic, astringent, and antiseptic. It was also used as a beverage tea in some places in Russia. The berries were considered beneficial as a weight loss aid. Uva ursi is also helpful for chronic diarrhea. As a nutritional supplement and muscle relaxant, Uva ursi soothes, strengthens, and tightens irritated and inflamed tissues.
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Uva Ursi
Nutritional Value of Uva Ursi
Uva Ursi contains the following nutrients vitamin A, iron, manganese, selenium & silicon. Bearberry contains arbutin, a compound that is composed of sugars and hydroquinone, an antiseptic agent. Uva Ursi also contains diuretic chemicals, including ursolic acid, powerful astringents, and a chemical that helps promote the growth of healthy new cells, allatoin. In addition to its antiseptic and astringent actions, Uva Ursi may help to flush out bacteria by promoting urination. It has been used to reduce the accumulation of uric acid and relieve pain of bladder stones. The diuretic action may relieve the bloating feeling associated with menstruation.
Health Benefits of Uva Ursi
Uva Ursi may be of great value in diseases of the bladder and kidneys, strengthening and imparting tone to the urinary passages. The diuretic action is due to the glucoside Arbutin, which is largely absorbed unchanged and is excreted by the kidneys. During its excretion, Arbutin exercises an antiseptic effect on the urinary mucous membrane. Therefore, it is used in inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, urethritis, cystisis, etc
Uva ursi does have an antimicrobial effect against some strains of E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. This action is related to a component found in Uva ursi called aglycone hydroquinone. A glycone hydroquinone is released from its transport form, arbutin, in alkaline urine. Because uva ursi requires alkaline urine for its antimicrobial properties to work, those taking uva ursi should avoid eating acidic foods like citrus fruit, pineapple, and tomatoes.
Uva Ursi have astringent properties that benefit the kidneys, digestion system, bladder, liver, and urinary tract. The leaves of Uva Ursi plants are rich in tannins and used to treat bladder infections, kidney infections, and to alleviate chronic cystitis. Uva ursi contains the glycoside arbutin which is converted into hydroquinone within the urinary tract. Herbal Medicines reports that about 70% of patients treated with uva ursi extracts report significant relief from pain during urination.
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