What Is Uva Ursi Leaf?
Uva ursi, or bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), is a low, creeping evergreen shrub of the heather family that grows on sandy soils, rocky slopes and heathland across the cool northern regions of Europe, Asia and North America. It forms dense mats of small, leathery, glossy green leaves, carries pink-white bell-shaped flowers in spring, and red berries in autumn.
Its Latin name uva ursi means bear’s grape, because bears love the berries. In North America the leaves were also part of kinnikinnick, a traditional smoking mixture of several Native American peoples.
Bearberry leaf has a long history in European and North American herbal traditions, where it is known in herbal trade as Uvae ursi folium. The leaves are naturally rich in tannins and in arbutin, which gives the leaf its typical astringent, slightly bitter taste.
Our uva ursi leaf powder is the whole dried leaf, finely ground. It is not an extract. Traditionally it is prepared as a cold or hot infusion and used only for short periods. The powder form makes it easy to measure small amounts.
Our uva ursi leaf powder contains only ground bearberry leaves with nothing added. It is sold by weight, from small packs to bulk.
How to Use Uva Ursi Leaf Powder
- Cold infusion: Soak 1/2 teaspoon (about 1 to 1.5 g) in a cup (8 fl oz / 250 ml) of cold water for 6 to 12 hours, then strain through a fine filter. Cold infusion extracts fewer tannins.
- Hot tea: Steep 1/2 teaspoon in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes in a fine filter.
- Short-term only: Traditionally used for no more than one week at a time, and no more than a few times a year.
Safety
Use only for short periods, no longer than one week at a time and no more than five times a year. Do not use during pregnancy or while nursing, do not give to children under 12, and avoid if you have kidney or liver problems. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. Keep out of reach of children.
Read our full guide: How to prepare uva ursi leaf tea: our recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this uva ursi extract?
No. It is whole dried bearberry leaf ground into powder, not a concentrated extract.
Is uva ursi the same as bearberry?
Yes. Uva ursi is the Latin name for bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi.
What does uva ursi taste like?
It is astringent and slightly bitter, because the leaves are rich in tannins.
How long can I use uva ursi?
Traditionally only for short periods, up to one week at a time. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
How should I store uva ursi powder?
Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.