Are you prone to water infections or cystitis?
Antibiotics are often the go-to treatment for urinary tract infections, but for cases where a natural alternative is appropriate, we recommend a herbal supplement called Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).1https://draxe.com/nutrition/uva-ursi-bearberry/
How does Uva Ursi work?
The leaves from this plant (also known as the bearberry bush) are used to make teas and tinctures.
The active compounds, glycosides, and arbutin, are transformed into hydroquinone which has antibacterial properties. 2https://www.verywellhealth.com/uva-ursi-health-benefits-4582831
Uva Ursi has also been shown to have anti-bacterial properties against E.coli.3https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5591533/
Where can I buy Uva Ursi?
The dried leaves can be made into a tea or, alternatively, you can buy it as a liquid tincture or powder.
How do I take it?
Urva Ursi is most effective when taken at the first sign of a mild infection. 4https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18950249/ If you have a severe infection or are concerned by your symptoms, we recommend speaking to your GP.
To make tea, soak two to three grams of dried leaves in eight ounces of boiling water for 12 minutes. Then strain the tea and drink it three to four times daily. 5https://draxe.com/nutrition/uva-ursi-bearberry/
If you’re taking it as a powder or tincture, please follow the manufacturer’s dosage guidelines.
Do not exceed the recommended dose. Uva Ursi is not recommended for long-term use due to the potential for hydroquinone toxicity: it’s advised to limit consumption to no longer than five days at a time and no more than five times per year. 6https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/uva-ursi 7https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-350/uva-ursi
Who shouldn’t take Uva Ursi?
- Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
- Children
- People with high blood pressure; kidney or liver disease; digestive disorders such as Crohn’s and ulcers.
- People taking lithium, steroids, and NSAIDs as well as iron supplements.
Before starting any supplement, always check with your GP or pharmacist for contraindications with your current medication or health conditions.
For more natural first aid ideas read our article, Winter first aid for coughs, CG First Aid Kit for Insomnia, and CG First Aid Kit – Constipation.
Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat from 8 am to 8 pm on weekdays for bespoke advice on gut wellness.
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