What is Uva Ursi Arctostaphylos uva-ursi?Its History,Phytochemicals,Mode of Action and Magic Superstition?

Administration and Application Guide:Uva Ursi.

Uva Ursi Extract INCI Name Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi Extract CAS:84776-10-3 EINECS ELINCS No 283-934-3 Arberry Leaf Rockberry leaf Bearberry leaf extract photo picture image Who is this for?Uses:

Uva ursi contains chemicals, primarily hydroquinone and hydroquinone derivatives, that make it potentially useful for urinary conditions. It has been approved for treating inflammation of the lower urinary tract by Commission E of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, which is the German governmental agency that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal products. The United States does not have a comparable agency to evaluate herbal products. Several chemicals found in uva ursi have antibacterial, antiseptic, and astringent properties that may help to treat urinary tract infections. An astringent shrinks and tightens the top layers of mucous membranes, thereby reducing secretions, relieving irritation, and improving tissue firmness. The antibacterial action of uva ursi is diminished or destroyed, however, if the urine has too much acid in it. Formerly, uva ursi was also thought to promote the production of urine by the body, but this diuretic effect has not been proved in studies of humans. In general, prescription drugs that are more effective than uva ursi and that may have fewer side effects are available for treating urinary tract infections.

When should I be careful taking it?

Even though tannins are thought not to be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, liver damage has occurred rarely in individuals who took large oral doses of tannins. Although uva ursi has not been studied specifically and no cases in which uva ursi caused liver damage have been reported, it does contain significant quantities of tannin. Oral uva ursi should be used with caution and its component, hydroquinone, which is sold for topical use, should never be taken orally. Individuals with liver conditions should not take uva ursi. Furthermore, children are more likely to suffer liver damage from uva ursi, so it should not be given to children under the age of 12 years.

Chemicals in uva ursi may cause tightening of the uterus, which could potentially cause a miscarriage in pregnant women. These chemicals may also induce early labor and cause delivery to proceed rapidly. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid uva ursi.

Individuals who have kidney or stomach conditions should avoid taking uva ursi due to possible irritation from chemicals it contains.

Precautions: Not enough is known about how uva ursi might affect an infant to recommend its use while breast-feeding.

What side effects should I watch for?

Long-term use of uva ursi may damage vision. A dose of 30,000 mg (30 grams) of uva ursi taken at one time has caused death. Single doses of 6,000 mg (6 grams) have been associated with seizures. Smaller doses may cause discolored urine, nausea, or ringing in the ears.

Major Side Effects:

One case has been reported of damage to the retina that apparently was caused by taking uva ursi for a long period of time (3 years). Chemicals in uva ursi are believed to interfer with retinal melanin, the black pigment that helps to disperse light and to protect the eyes. As a result, the individual vision was decreased and blurred.

In a dose of 6,000 mg (6 grams) or higher taken at one time, uva ursi may cause seizures or cyanosis (a blue tint to the skin caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood). Single doses of 30,000 mg (30 grams) or higher have been reported to cause death.

Other oral preparations that are high in tannin content have been associated with kidney or liver damage. Since uva ursi also contains tannins, using it may also present a risk for kidney or liver damage.

A case study of several individuals who regularly used large amounts of an oral product similar to uva ursi for many years, found that they had a higher incidence of tongue and lip cancer than expected. Cancers of the nose and esophagus may also be more likely in people who use large amounts of tannin-containing products for long amounts of time.

Less Severe Side Effects:

Taking uva ursi has also been associated with: Brownish or greenish urine,Nausea,Ringing in the ears,Upset stomach

Some people may experience mild nausea after taking bearberry. Long-term use of bearberry is not recommended, due to possible side effects from excessive levels of hydroquinone. People should avoid taking acidic agents, such as fruit juice or vitamin C, while using bearberry. Bearberry is contraindicated in pregnant or lactating women and should be used in young children only with the guidance of a health care professional.

Contraindications: Uva Ursi is safe in moderation, but can be mildly poisonous if overused. Thus, do not exceed recommended dosages. Symptoms of overdose include nausea, vomiting, and stomachache. Do not use if pregnant, as this herb is a uterine stimulant. Do not take if you suffer from high blood pressure, and not administer to children under 12.

Usage Warnings: Do not use during pregnancy.Contraindicated in kidney disorders and irritated digestive conditions. Crude drug preparations may induce nausea and vomiting.

Caution: Excessive, prolonged use should be avoided; in any usage both an aromatic and a demulcent should be added to the leaves, since their action when alone is too irritating.

What interactions should I watch for?
Uva Ursi Extract INCI Name Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi Extract CAS:84776-10-3 EINECS ELINCS No 283-934-3 Arberry Leaf Rockberry leaf Bearberry leaf extract photo picture image

Prescription drugs such as ammonium chloride, non-prescription products such as vitamin C, herbals such as rose hips, and foods such as cranberry juice may all make the urine more acidic in nature. Potentially, taking a urine acidifier may lessen or destroy the antibacterial effects of uva ursi.

On the other hand, urinary alkalizers ?drugs such as antacids, Bicitra, K-lyte, Polycitra, and sodium bicarbonate; herbals such as alfalfa and peppermint; and foods such as molasses, raisins, spinach, and some dried beans ?reduce the acid levels in urine, which may increase uva ursi's antibacterial effects.

No cases of interactions specific to uva ursi have been reported in medical literature, but other oral products that contain tannins have interfered with the way the body uses certain drugs. Be sure that your doctor and pharmacist are aware of all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use uva ursi or any other herbal supplement.

Although no interactions have been reported between uva ursi and foods, the tannins in uva ursi may interfere with the absorption of minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium from foods. A dietary deficiency of these minerals is very rare in the United States, but it might be possible if large amounts of uva ursi are used continually and the diet is poor.

When should I be careful taking it?

Even though tannins are thought not to be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, liver damage has occurred rarely in individuals who took large oral doses of tannins. Although uva ursi has not been studied specifically and no cases in which uva ursi caused liver damage have been reported, it does contain significant quantities of tannin. Oral uva ursi should be used with caution and its component, hydroquinone, which is sold for topical use, should never be taken orally. Individuals with liver conditions should not take uva ursi. Furthermore, children are more likely to suffer liver damage from uva ursi, so it should not be given to children under the age of 12 years.

Chemicals in uva ursi may cause tightening of the uterus, which could potentially cause a miscarriage in pregnant women. These chemicals may also induce early labor and cause delivery to proceed rapidly. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid uva ursi.

Individuals who have kidney or stomach conditions should avoid taking uva ursi due to possible irritation from chemicals it contains.

Drugs or foods that acidify the urine may decrease the antibacterial effects of uva ursi, but urinary alkalizers (drugs or foods that reduce urine acid levels) may increase its antibacterial activity. The tannin content in uva ursi might interfere with the absorption of drugs and nutrients from food.

Precautions: Not enough is known about how uva ursi might affect an infant to recommend its use while breast-feeding.

Toxicity and Contraindications: While large doses of uva ursi could prove toxic due to hydroquinone (symptoms would include ringing of the ears, nausea, vomiting) this herb is considered safe, producing no symptoms of toxicity in the amounts generally available. Uva Ursi is not recommended during pregnancy or in cases of kidney stones.

Should I take it?

As a plant, uva ursi generally stays small:only reaching a maximum height of about 2 feet, and often remaining as a ground cover under certain growing conditions. It grows slowly, but it thrives in areas such as canyon walls and rocky seacoasts that are hostile to other types of vegetation. Its small dark green leaves may turn a brownish color in the autumn, but they do not fall off the plant. White or pink flowers that bloom in the summer are followed by clusters of orange or red berries. Although the berries are edible for humans, they are not used much as food due to their somewhat bitter taste. They are said to attract bears, though, which may be why the plant was given the Latin name for "bearberry". Only the green leaves are harvested in the late summer or fall and dried for use in medicine. Native Americans are believed to have used dried uva ursi leaves like tobacco. In some countries, it has been used for tanning leather.

One of the chemical in uva ursi is hydroquinone, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a topical agent for lightening freckles and other areas of darkened skin. Hydroquinone decreases the amount of the dark pigment, melanin, produced in the body. As a result, darkened skin gradually gets lighter. Hydroquinone is also found in developing fluids for photographs.

Official Recognition and Medical References: UK - General sales list, in BHP;France - Accepted for specific indications;Germany - Commission E, p. 224;ESCOP - July 1997;PDR for Herbal Medicine - p. 657

Dosage and Administration:

Powder - 20 - 60 grains
Infusion - 3 - 5 oz
Tincture - 10 - 20 drops
Fluid extract - 1/2 - 1 tsp
Average dose - 2.0 gram
U.S. Dispensory - 1.3 to 4.0 grams
Merck Index - 1.0 to 4.0 grams (41), 4.0 ml.
Infusum Uvae Ursi Recens B.P.C. - 15 to 30ml.

Arbutin may be given to the extent of 10 or 15 grains a day, usually mixed with sugar. Dose of powdered uva ursi, 10 to 60 grains; of the decoction, 1 to 3 fluid ounces, made by boiling 1 ounce of uva ursi with 1 1/2 pints of distilled water down to 1 pint; of the extract, 5 to 15 grains; of the tincture, 6 to 30 drops.

Note: Because it has the potential to cause kidney, liver, or stomach damage, uva ursi should be taken no longer than 5 days at a time. Its oral use should be limited to only a few times a year, as well.

Although dosing for uva ursi varies, a commonly suggested dose range to treat urinary tract infections is 2,000 mg to 4,000 mg (2 grams to 4 grams) per day. Whether the recommended amounts of uva ursi actually reach high enough levels in the urine to be useful for treating urinary tract infection may be in question since the antibacterial action of uva ursi is diminished or cancelled when the urine has a high acid content. Many foods and beverages may make the urine acidic. However, bacteria usually need a low-acid (alkaline) environment, so they release a substance known as urease to lower the acid content of urine.

Tea may be made from uva ursi by soaking up to 3,000 mg (3 grams) of the dried leaves in about 5 ounces of cold water for at least 12 hours to decrease the amount of tannins. After the solid particles are strained out, the tea may be heated or consumed cold three or four times a day. In the past, cool uva ursi tea has also been used as a skin wash to treat mild skin infections.

For alcohol-based tinctures, many people take 5 ml three times per day. Herbal extracts in capsules or tablets (containing 20% arbutin) in an amount of 250-500 mg three times per day can also be taken. Use of uva ursi should be limited to no more than fourteen days. To ensure alkaline urine, 6-8 grams of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mixed in a glass of water can be drunk. Baking soda should not be taken for more than fourteen days; as well, individuals with high blood pressure should not take baking soda. People should not use bearberry to treat an infection without first consulting a nutritionally oriented doctor.

Risks:

The high tannin content of uva ursi may cause kidney, liver, or stomach damage ?especially for individuals who already have medical conditions of the kidney, liver or stomach. Higher rates of certain cancers may be attributed to high or long-term use of products containing tannins. These effects may be more likely for children under the age of 12 years more than they are for adults, so the use of uva ursi is not recommended for children or for breast-feeding women. Pregnant women may suffer a miscarriage, early onset of labor, or rapid delivery if they take uva ursi.

Toxicity Study:Arbutin

Arbutin;Identification
Chemical Name:Arbutin CAS RN: 497-76-7 BEILSTEIN RN: 0089673.Reference:5-17-07-00110 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
Molecular Formula:C12-H16-O7 Molecular Weight:272.28 Note:Reproductive Effector

Other Names:beta-Arbutin;beta-D-Glucopyranoside, 4-hydroxyphenyl-;Hydroquinone-beta-D-glucopyranoside;4-Hydroxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside;Ursin;Uvasol.

Arbutin:Reproductive Data

TDLo - Lowest published toxic dose.Oral.Rodent - rat,13600 mg/kg.Sex/Duration: female 14 day(s) pre-mating,female 20 day(s) after conception

Toxic Effects:Reproductive - Maternal Effects - ovaries, fallopian tubes;Reproductive - Effects on Embryo or Fetus - fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus).Reference:IYKEDH Iyakuhin Kenkyu. Study of Medical Supplies.V.1- 1970- Volume(issue)/page/year: 19,282,1988

Arbutin:NIOSH

NOES - National Occupational Exposure Survey (1983)
NOES Hazard Code - X1290
No. of Facilities: 68 (estimated)
No. of Industries: 1
No. of Occupations: 3
No. of Employees: 995 (estimated)
No. of Female Employees: 745 (estimated)

Reference:

1.What is Uva Ursi Arctostaphylos uva-ursi?Its History,Phytochemicals,Mode of Action and Magic Superstition?

last edit date:10th,Mar.2010.

Available Product

Name:Uva Ursi Extract
Serie No:P081
Specifications:10:1.TLC
INCI Name:ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA URSI EXTRACT
EINECS/ELINCS No.:283-934-3
CAS:84776-10-3
Chem/IUPAC Name:Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi Extract is an extract of the leaves of the bearberry,Arctostaphylos uva-ursi,Ericaceae

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