Nature's Medicines by Gale Malesky

Author:Gale Malesky
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rodale
Published: 2011-04-30T04:00:00+00:00

An Herb to Squelch Infection

Uva-ursi, a strangely named shrub that grows in North America, can be a suitable stand-in for antibiotic infection fighters, says naturopathic doctor Tori Hudson, ND, professor at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, and author of Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. “It’s really the most important, most useful herb for treating bladder infections,” she says.

While you can take uva-ursi as a tea, the dosage is more precise if you take supplements. If you find capsules that contain only powdered uva-ursi leaves, you’ll need to take 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times a day, according to Dr. Hudson. A higher concentration is found in an extract of uva-ursi standardized to contain 20 percent arbutin, one of the active ingredients. If you take that concentration, you’ll need only 125 to 250 milligrams three times daily, she says.

Stop taking uva-ursi when you feel well again. It could cause problems if taken over the long term. Also, it may be preferable to avoid taking cranberry extract at the same time, Dr. Hudson cautions, since arbutin works best in a nonacidic environment. You can take cranberry afterward to prevent recurring infections, she says. Pregnant women should avoid uva-ursi completely because it may bring on uterine contractions.

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