Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Used by 1 tradition1 compound

Common Names

german: Bärentraube

english: Bearberry, Kinnikinnick, Uva-ursi

native_american: Kinnikinnick (Algonquin), Various tribal names

latin_pharmaceutical: Uvae Ursi Folium

Geographic Range: Circumpolar distribution: northern Europe, northern Asia, North America. Grows in subarctic and alpine zones on sandy, acidic soils.

Known Contraindications

• Pregnancy (uterine stimulant)
• Kidney disease (hydroquinone metabolites)
• Children under 12
• Concurrent acidifying medications (arbutin requires alkaline urine for conversion to hydroquinone)
• Short-term use only — traditional pattern was acute treatment, not prolonged use
• Not during pregnancy or nursing

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Compounds

Traditions

Treatments

Conditions

CAS: 497-76-7

SMILES: OC[C@H]1OC(Oc2ccc(O)cc2)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O

CYP Interaction Profile

Enzyme	Interaction
metabolism	Hydrolyzed by gut and urinary bacterial beta-glucosidase. Hepatic glucuronidation and sulfation.
safety_note	Prolonged use > 2 weeks not recommended due to hydroquinone hepatotoxicity. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
interactions	Avoid with urinary acidifiers (cranberry, ascorbic acid) — reduces efficacy. May potentiate other nephrotoxic agents.