What is arctostaphylos uva ursi used for?
Uva ursi is an herbal extract derived from the leaves of the Arctostaphylos, a small evergreen shrub, which has been used in Native American traditional medicine for treatment of urinary tract symptoms and as a diuretic. Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Hydroquinone inhibits urinary tract pathogenic bacteria. It is generally not recommended to take uva ursi longer than two weeks at a time, and it should be avoided in pregnant and lactating women, patients with renal disease, and children.The maximum benefits of Uva-ursi reach a peak at about 3 to 4 hours after taking the herb so if a urinary tract infection is severe it may be recommended to be taking a dose of Uva-ursi every 3 to 4 hours until the worst of the symptoms have resolved.Children: Uva ursi is possibly unsafe in children when taken by mouth. It contains a chemical that might cause severe liver problems. Don’t give uva ursi to children. Retinal thinning: Uva ursi contains a chemical that can thin the retina in the eye.Reported side effects are generally mild and include nausea and vomiting, irritability, and insomnia. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and people with high blood pressure, should not take uva ursi. People who have Crohn disease, digestive problems, kidney or liver disease, or ulcers should not take uva ursi.
Is Arctostaphylos UVA Ursi poisonous?
Preliminary studies indicate that arbutin may be toxic when ingested in high doses. Uva ursi may cause adverse effects in people with liver or kidney disease, or pregnant and breastfeeding women. The leaves contain arbutin, which metabolizes to form hydroquinone, a potential liver toxin. But uva ursi can be toxic. Hydroquinone, a component of uva ursi, can cause serious liver damage. Conventional medications that have fewer risks are available to treat urinary tract infections. Researchers believe the herb works best when a person’s urine is alkaline since acid destroys its antibacterial effect.Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) [1] It is generally not recommended to take uva ursi longer than two weeks at a time, and it should be avoided in pregnant and lactating women, patients with renal disease, and children. Dosing is as follows: Tea: 1 tsp of dried leaf steeped in 1 cup of boiling water, 3-4 times daily.
Is uva ursi good for urinary tract infection?
There is no data to show that uva ursi can prevent a UTI. 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. Drink plenty of water. Water helps to dilute urine and flush out bacteria. Avoid drinks that may bother your bladder. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks that have citrus juices or caffeine until the infection clears.If UTIs are caused by bacteria in the bladder then drinking more water should help. You’ll urinate more frequently and flush out the bacteria from the bladder.