Herb library · Herb · Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Uva-ursi (bearberry)
A low evergreen shrub whose leathery leaves are sold for bladder infections. The EU accepts it for a few days' relief of mild, recurring bladder symptoms in women, based on long use; no clinical trial of the leaf on its own exists, and it is not meant for longer use.
Serious warning
The European Medicines Agency's assessment records a woman who developed damage to the retina (bull's eye maculopathy) after drinking bearberry tea regularly for 3 years. EU monographs limit use to one week at a time because of the hydroquinone it releases.
Traditional use
Grows on sandy, gravelly ground across northern Europe and North America. Its leaves have long been used as a urinary astringent and antiseptic. Their main compound, arbutin, is broken down in the body to hydroquinone, which is why the leaves are meant only for short courses. EU regulators accept it, on traditional use, for symptoms of mild, recurrent lower urinary tract infections in adult women. Among the Chippewa (Ojibwe), Frances Densmore recorded (1928) that the berries were cooked with meat to season the broth and the leaves were smoked; Melvin Gilmore recorded (1919) that the Pawnee, who called it "little tree," smoked the leaves like tobacco.
What studies show
- Insufficient
Mild bladder infections in women: accepted in the EU on the basis of traditional use only. The European Medicines Agency's herbal committee found no clinical studies of bearberry leaf on its own; its antibacterial action has been seen only in laboratory tests.
Be careful of
Cautions
- AmountEU guidance: no more than one week at a time. See a doctor if symptoms last more than 4 days, or if you get a fever, pain on passing urine, cramps or blood in the urine.
- NoteNausea, vomiting and stomach ache have been reported, largely from its high tannin content. It can turn urine greenish-brown. EU regulators note that the literature describes liver damage with long-term use and overdose, though no case reports support it.
- ConditionDo not use it with kidney disorders. EU products are not recommended for men or for anyone under 18, because those cases need medical supervision.
- PregnancySafety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, and EU guidance is not to use it then.
- Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.
From the old books
What herbals and dispensaries of the past printed. History, in their words.
“The red berries of this plant were cooked with meat as a seasoning for the broth. The leaves were smoked (see p. 337).”
“The leaves were used for smoking like tobacco.”
“has nearly the smell of good grass hay, and to the taste is at first smartly astringent and bitterish, which sensations gradually soften into a liquorice flavor.”
Sources
- Bearberry leaf - summary for the public (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
- European Union herbal monograph on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., folium, Rev. 2 (EMA/HMPC/750269/2016) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
- Assessment report on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., folium, Rev. 2 (EMA/HMPC/750266/2016) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
Reviewed September 25, 2026.