Last update May 13, 2019

Arbutus uva-ursi

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

The leaves of this bush are commonly used and have arbutoside or arbutin as active ingredients. They also contain tannins, flavonoids, ursolic acid and hydroquinone (WHO 1999).
Traditional uses without confirmation from clinical trials: urinary tract anti-inflammatory, urinary antiseptic and diuretic (Moore 2019, EMA 2018, Regrets 2014, WHO 1999, Blumenthal 1998 p225).

At the date of this last update we did not find published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Dehydration (Soliman 2018) and retinopathy (Wang 2004) due to excessive dosage and continuous use have been reported as serious side effects.

Several lactation experts discourage its use during breastfeeding (WHO 1999, Kopec 1999, Blumenthal 1998 p225).

Plant widely used in many cultures, including during pregnancy (Kennedy 2013). Given the lack of toxicity at common doses, moderate and occasional consumption would be compatible with breastfeeding.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Arbutus uva-ursi is Bearberry in Latin, botanical name.

Is written in other languages:

Arbutus uva-ursi is also known as

Group

Arbutus uva-ursi belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Arbutus uva-ursi in its composition:

References

  1. Moore M, Trill J, Simpson C, Webley F, Radford M, Stanton L, Maishman T, Galanopoulou A, Flower A, Eyles C, Willcox M, Hay AD, van der Werf E, Gibbons S, Lewith G, Little P, Griffiths G. Uva-ursi extract and ibuprofen as alternative treatments for uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women (ATAFUTI): a factorial randomised trial. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019 Jan 24. pii: S1198-743X(19)30031-X. Abstract
  2. Soliman M, Fuller W, Usmani N, Akanbi O. Acute Severe Hyponatremia as a Serious Health Implication of Herbal Detox Regimens. Cureus. 2018 Dec 6;10(12):e3697. Abstract
  3. Vamenta-Morris H, Dreisbach A, Shoemaker-Moyle M, Abdel-Rahman EM. Internet claims on dietary and herbal supplements in advanced nephropathy: truth or myth. Am J Nephrol. 2014;40(5):393-8. Abstract
  4. Kennedy DA, Lupattelli A, Koren G, Nordeng H. Herbal medicine use in pregnancy: results of a multinational study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Wang L, Del Priore LV. Bull's-eye maculopathy secondary to herbal toxicity from uva ursi. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004 Jun;137(6):1135-7. Abstract
  6. WHO. World Health Organization. Geneva. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Volume 2. WHO monographs. 2002 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Kopec K. Herbal medications and breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1999 Jun;15(2):157-61. Review. No abstract available. Abstract
  8. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS, editors. The American Botanical Council. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Integrative Medicine Com; Boston, MA, USA: 1998

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