Uva Ursi for Bladder Infections

5 star (6) 
  100%

Simay (West Tisbury) on 10/15/2017:
5 out of 5 stars

I suffer from UTIs virtually every time I have sex. I just started dating someone new, so that has resulted in my getting a UTI about once a week for a few weeks now. In the past I tried taking D-Mannose and drinking unsweetened cranberry juice but that never helped. I used to take baking soda just to ease the burning sensation but of course that wasn't a cure either. A few weeks ago I went through an emotionally stressful time, during which I also developed a UTI that spread to my left kidney and I had to go to the ER and take a round of antibiotics, which I never want to resort to.

I had read about uva ursi in the past but there was never much solid feedback out it so I disregarded it for a long time. After the kidney episode, I was even more desperate to find an herbal remedy since it seems this issue is not going away for me. So I decided to give uva ursi a try.

I purchased two ounces of the dried leaves at my local health food store. I went home and weighed out 1 ounce on my herb scale and put it into a quart sized mason jar. Then I poured boiling water over the leaves and filled the jar to the top. I let it steep for twenty minutes. Then I strained out 1 cup of the infusion and drank it down.

PRAISE UVA URSI! It took away the burning sensation it just over an hour! I couldn't believe it! I mean I really couldn't believe it, it was just too good to be true. I continued to drink the rest of the quart of infusion over the rest of the day and the next day. I was so happy that when I got another UTI I was worried it wouldn't work the same as it did the first time. BUT IT DID! I have now gotten three UTIs in the past three weeks or so and have used uva ursi in the same way each time and gotten the sams results. The burning sensation is completely eliminated in an hour or so. I have only had to drink the 1 quart of infusion over a two day period each time and by then the UTI is resolved.

I encourage you to try uva ursi infusion if you suffer from recurrent UTIs. I know there are some warnings out there about prolonged use being harmful to the liver but I only have to take it for about two days to get relief. Truthfully, I only have to drink 1 cup to get relief, but I drink a whole quart over a two day period to ensure full recovery.

REPLY   11      

Ladyb (Usa) on 10/10/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

I wanted to share my positive experience with Uva Ursi as well and hope it helps someone else!

It's been over a year now, but for a while I was having a lot of trouble with bladder infections. I'm talking rounds and rounds of antibiotics until finally I had to go through a cystoscopy which wound up costing me thousands of dollars. And none of it helped! I just ended up with other problems from the side-effects of the antibiotics.

I had been also been trying the usual cranberry, ACV, salt water, etc- no help. Alka seltzer helped temporarily to feel better but will not cure it.

So, finally a urologist identified my infections were caused by staph. I had stumbled on using d-mannose and tried it- but it never helped either- which made sense because that's only effective if your infection is caused by e-coli.

So finally I found Uva Ursi- not a whole lot of feedback but came up a lot and I decided I had nothing to lose. Finally I found something that cleared it up!

Some keys, don't take it too long- follow instructions on the bottle- that's what I did. Drink lots of fluids because it's diuretic and will help flush out the infection.

Now I keep some on hand, I've found one with a blend of complementary herbs for bladder/kidney health and at the first sign of infection I take it and usually don't need more than a day or two worth of doses. This past week was a little worse it seems, have been taking it for a week this time, but today I found that once again it's done the trick and I feel back to normal.

Also, to balance out your system again I've found the probiotic for women in the pink bottle to be invaluable and a life-saver! I was regularly taking it and have been feeling a little off so have started taking that again as well.

REPLY   3      

Meadow (Tampa, Florida, Usa) on 03/01/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

I have not seen the herb Uva Ursi mentioned to help clear women's bladder infections. Uva Ursi leaf (an herbal dietary supplement) is effective with stubborn lower urinary tract infections and kidney (pyelonephritis) infections. Uva Ursi has antimicrobial activity. Uva Ursi contains a glycoside called arbutin, which has an antiseptic effect on the membranes of the urinary tract. As a natural diuretic this herb drains excess water from cells and promotes an antiseptic effect on the kidneys.

It is best to take Uva Ursi leaf as directed on the bottle, with a large glass of water and the juice of half a lemon, lime or baking soad. Fresh lemon juice has alkalizing and anti-bacterial properties. Bacteria can not live an an alkaline environment. Uva Ursi and a cranberry supplement will work in synergy to clear the infection. The enclosed link is a non profit women's health website that includes:
REPLY   1      



Azg (Toronto, On) on 09/28/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

For Urinary Tract Infections, please try Uva Ursi. It's a powdered leaf in a gel cap... you follow the instructions on the bottle (I think 2 gel caps, 3 x a day) and within 36 hours all symptoms of the UTI are gone! I used to get UTI's like clockwork - every 3 month. I remember reading something about how the bacteria that causes it burrows into the skin of the bladder to hide from the anti-biotics. Because the skin in the bladder sheds like the skin that covers our bodies, eventually enough skin is shed to uncover the bacteria - and BAM you have another Urinary Tract Infection.

I don't know how the Uva Ursi worked, but after treating ONE UTI with it, I haven't had one since...it's been about 4 or 5 years since my last UTI and I've recommended this to countless women in my life.

Earth Clinic, I don't know where you want to post this, but I think it's so important that women who deal with recurring UTIs read this information... THANK YOU for this amazing website.


EC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uva_ursi

REPLY   1      

London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 08/11/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

UVA URSI WORKS!!! This supplement will cure the most stubborn bladder infection. I tried everything you buy at the store, and tons of cranberry supplements and juices. Nothing helped me. Uva Ursi was the only thing that worked and worked quickly. 2 caps at night and 2 caps in the morning. $4 for a bottle at the store.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Chamain (New Orleans, LA) on 03/04/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I used to get at least 2 bladder infections per year, and the only cure was taking antibiotics. (I had tried cranberry juice and ever other nature "cure"). I discovered uva ursi while at Whole Foods and tried it. Oh my goodness!! It's been 10 years and no bladder infection---that means no antibiotics for 10 years now! The minute I feel an infection coming on, I go for the uva ursi and it goes away!
REPLY   5      
Return to Bladder Infections