Uva ursi is one of my favorite remedies for urinary tract infections. This is due to a substance called arbutin. When ingested, it is transformed into a compound called hydroquinone as it passes through the kidneys. Hydroquinone is a powerful disinfectant. It works best when the urine is alkaline, which is in contrast to cranberry juice, which works better with acid urine.

The presence of arbutin is not confined to uva ursi, however, various species of manzanitas also contain arbutin, as does pipsissewa, another member of the same family. So, it is likely you could harvest the leaves of various species and also use them for urinary tract infections.

I’ve personally found uva ursi a very dependable remedy for UTIs, but I think it works best as a tea. If you make an infusion you get less tannin, so it’s not so astringent, but you do get the arbutin. I have used the tincture, too, both for UTIs and also for urinary incontinence, because the tannins do help to tone the bladder sphincter.

Uva ursi is an irritating diuretic and should be avoided when there is acute kidney inflammation. If in doubt, it may be wise to combine it with soothing, non-irritating diuretics like horsetail, cornsilk, and marshmallow.

Years ago when I was living in Southern California I remember driving up into the mountains to visit Idyllwild, a community in the forest not far from Palm Springs. That’s where I first saw manzanita trees. I remember being struck by the reddish-brown bark and the fact that some of the branches only had bark on part of the branch, while grey, dead-looking wood was visible on other parts of the branch. I remember collecting a branch that was half grey and half red, looking half dead and half alive, because I thought it was so beautiful.

Years later, when I read about manzanita flower essence (derived from A. viscida) that image came back to me. The flower essence is used for people who have an aversion to the physical world. They may feel a strong sense of disgust for the body and its functions. This may result in severe ascetic regimes, harsh diets, rituals surrounding food, and tendencies towards bulimia and anorexia.

Because of this signature, I observed in the manzanitas I saw, I think of the person who needs manzanita flower essence as half-dead and half alive. They are not fully present with their body and its need. They need to integrate their spiritual self with their body to become fully present in the world. I’ve used manzanita with shooting star for people who are not fully embodied because of birthing trauma and I've used it with mariposa lily for people who did not have a nurturing, bonded relationship with their mother. It can help them feel more comfortable and less rigid in their body.

RECOMMENDED USE

Take 1 capsule with a meal twice daily. NOTE: Do not take with Cranberry & Buchu Conc.

Evelyn

5.0 star rating

Review by Evelyn on 9 Feb 2022 review stating Forget the meds! I use this if I feel a UTI coming on and it always takes care of it. I use it to keep my bladder functioning as it should. Great product.

Joyce

5.0 star rating

Review by Joyce on 19 Apr 2023 review stating love this product for urinary issues