Family Name: N.O. Ericaceae
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.
