Arbutus Uva-Ursi

• Botanical Name(s): Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi

• Popular Name(s): Bearberry, Arbutus Uva-Ursi

• Parts Used: Leaves

• Habitat: Uva Ursi is found in the northern latitudes and high mountains of Europe, Asia and America.

Description: Uva Ursi is a woody shrub, covered with a pale brown bark, which reaches a height of about 5-30 cm. The leaves are evergreen with a length of 1/2 inch to an inch. These are rounded at the apex but tapers gradually towards the base to a very short stalk or petiole. In spring the plant bears white or pink flowers. The fruit of the plant is a red berry which ripens in autumn

Uses: The dried leaves of Uva Ursi are the only part of the plant which is used in medicine. The infusion of it has a diuretic action. So the leaves are used in inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, urethritis and in cystisis.