The leaves are used to make medicine.

This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Uva ursi is a shrub that grows flowers and berries. Uva ursi (of the genus Arctostaphylos) is a plant species also commonly referred to as bearberry, kinnikinnick, beargrape, rockberry, sandberry, and more. Uva ursi, also known as bearberry, kinnikinnick, and pinemat manzanita, is a small groundcover shrub distributed throughout northern latitudes and in high altitudes further south. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, also known as uva ursi or bear’s grape, is a plant found in North America and Eurasia.It is a fruit-bearing plant, and grows in cooler climates suitable for similar berries bears eat. Bears are particularly fond of uva ursi berries. The plant produces small; stiff evergreen leaves that last 1-3 years before falling. Uva ursi uses have ranged through the medicinal for nearly 2,000 years mostly for the use in bladder and urinary tract infections. Though uva ursi is oftentimes used interchangeably with the name bearberry, it is actually one of several variations of bearberry.

Herbs have played an important part in medicinal history and were often considered the go-to remedies before modern medicine.

The leaves of uva ursi are traditionally brewed into a tea and used to improve urinary health.