Uva Ursi

Literature References: Dried leaves of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.), Spreng., Ericaceae, a small evergreen shrub. Habit. Temperate regions of Europe, North America, Asia. Constit. Hydroquinone derivatives, primarily arbutin, q.v., and methylarbutin; tannins of the gallic and ellagic acid types; flavonoids (quercetin, myricetin); piceoside; monotropein; ursolic, gallic and quinic acids; volatile oil. Discussion of active components: D. Frohne, Planta Med. 18, 1 (1970). Bioavailability: D. H. Paper et al., Pharm. Pharmacol. Lett. 3, 63 (1993). Brief review of use in phytomedicine: A. Y. Leung, S. Foster, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2nd ed., 1996) pp 505-506.