Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Uva ursi (bearberry leaf, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): the EU traditional-use monograph, its limits on kidney disease, men, children and pregnancy, and the lack of trials we could read.
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What is Uva Ursi good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Traditional use for mild recurrent lower urinary symptoms in women
Not enough evidenceThe EU herbal committee accepts uva ursi leaf as a traditional herbal medicine to relieve burning or frequent urination in mild recurrent lower urinary tract infections in women, after a doctor has excluded serious conditions.
Supplements: Traditional use only: the EU committee accepted it on the basis of long-standing use, not clinical trials.
Preparations standardised to arbutin-type compounds
Not enough evidenceThe monograph describes dried leaf, powder and extracts standardised to hydroquinone derivatives calculated as arbutin.
Supplements: Standardisation describes product content, not proven benefit.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body parts (1)
- KidneysDocumented risk
The EU monograph lists kidney disorders as a contraindication for uva ursi leaf.
Documented risks and interactions (8)
- Kidney disorders: contraindicated. The EU monograph lists kidney disorders as a contraindication.
- Not recommended for men or for under-18s. The monograph does not recommend use in men or in children and adolescents under 18, citing concerns that need medical advice or supervision.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: not recommended. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, so the EU monograph does not recommend use. No fertility data are available.
- Short-term use only; see a doctor if symptoms worsen. The traditional-use monograph says the product should not be used for more than one week, and a doctor should be consulted if symptoms worsen or fever, painful urination, spasms or blood in the urine occur.
- Incomplete safety testing (genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, reproduction). The 2018 monograph says adequate genotoxicity tests have not been performed and tests on reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity have not been performed. Arbutin breaks down to hydroquinone; an earlier 2012 monograph noted some evidence of genotoxicity in tests and judged short-term risk minimal.
- Side effects: nausea, vomiting, stomach-ache, green-brown urine. Nausea, vomiting and stomach-ache have been reported (frequency not known). The leaf may turn urine greenish-brown.
- Hypersensitivity (allergy) to the plant. Hypersensitivity to the active substance is a listed contraindication.
- Medicine interactions: none reported, which is not proof of safety. The monograph says no interactions have been reported. A missing report is different from proof there are none; ask a pharmacist.
Quick safety points
- The European monograph lists kidney disorders as a contraindication, does not recommend use in children and adolescents under 18 or in men, and does not recommend use in pregnancy or breastfeeding. [1]
- It says the leaf should not be used for more than one week, and a doctor should be consulted if symptoms worsen or fever, painful urination, spasms or blood in the urine occur. [1]
- A urinary infection needs a proper diagnosis. Do not use a herb in place of seeing a clinician. Ask a pharmacist about medicines.
What it is
Uva ursi is the leaf of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., a shrub in the heath family (Ericaceae); the English name is bearberry leaf. [2][1] Name trap: "bearberry" also appears among the common names NCCIH lists for cranberry, which is a different plant (Vaccinium macrocarpon); see Cranberry. [3] The EU monograph names the principal component as arbutin. [4]Traditional use
The EU herbal committee (HMPC) accepts uva ursi as a traditional herbal medicinal product: for relief of symptoms of mild recurrent lower urinary tract infections, such as burning during urination or frequent urination, in women, after serious conditions have been excluded by a doctor. [1] The monograph says this rests exclusively on long-standing use. [1] "Traditional" here means a regulatory category based on history, not proof from trials. See Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products.What research shows
| Question | What the sources found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Does uva ursi prevent or treat urinary infections? | Proper evidence not found. We searched Europe PMC (2026-10-23) for bearberry or uva ursi with randomized trial, systematic review or clinical trial and found no human trial or review we could read. The EU monograph itself states its basis is long-standing use. [1] | Traditional use only |
| Other uses | Not described in the sources we read. | Insufficient evidence |
Safety in detail
- Medicines: the monograph's interaction section is brief, and a missing report is different from proof of safety. Ask a pharmacist; see How Interactions Work.
- Kidney and liver: kidney disorders are a listed contraindication. [1] Liver effects are not described in the sources we read.
- Hydroquinone: arbutin breaks down to hydroquinone. The 2012 EU monograph (since superseded) said hydroquinone tests showed some evidence of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity in toxicity tests, and that risks from short-term treatment were considered minimal. [4] The 2018 revision says adequate genotoxicity tests, and tests on reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity, have not been performed. [1] This is a reason for the one-week limit and for caution, not proof of harm at normal use.
- Side effects: nausea, vomiting and stomach-ache have been reported, frequency not known. [1] The leaf may cause a greenish-brown coloration of the urine. [1]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety has not been established, and use is not recommended in the absence of sufficient data. [1] See Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.
- Children: under 18 not recommended because of concerns requiring medical advice. [1]
- Allergy, surgery: the monograph lists hypersensitivity to the active substance as a contraindication. [1] Surgery is not described in the sources we read; tell the surgical team about any herb.
Official statements
European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products, EU herbal monograph adopted 30 January 2018. [1] US and UK regulator statements: not described in the sources we read.Related pages
Herbs and Kidney Disease covers kidney cautions in general. Urinary Tract Infections and Urinary Symptoms explains when to see a clinician.Frequently asked questions
Is uva ursi safe for a urinary tract infection?
The EU monograph covers it only as a traditional medicine for mild recurrent lower urinary symptoms in women after a doctor has excluded serious conditions, and for no more than one week. [1] It is not a substitute for medical diagnosis.
Who should avoid uva ursi?
The monograph lists kidney disorders as a contraindication and does not recommend use in children and adolescents under 18, in men, or in pregnancy and lactation. [1]
Is uva ursi the same as cranberry?
No. They are different plants, though NCCIH lists "bearberry" among cranberry's common names. [3] Check the scientific name.
Why does uva ursi make urine green-brown?
The monograph says the leaf may cause a greenish-brown coloration of the urine. [1]
Are there clinical trials of uva ursi?
Proper evidence not found: our Europe PMC search did not turn up a human trial or review we could read.
References
- European Medicines Agency, HMPC. European Union herbal monograph on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., folium (EMA/HMPC/750269/2016), adopted 30 January 2018. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., accepted name, family Ericaceae. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH, NIH. Cranberry. Last updated November 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency, HMPC. Community herbal monograph on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., folium (EMA/HMPC/573460/2009 Rev.1, 2012; marked superseded). Read 2026-10-23.