Uva Ursi Leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) — Bulk Dried Herb
Uva Ursi Leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Uva Ursi — Latin for “bear’s grape” — is a hardy, low-growing evergreen shrub of the heather family that carpets the rocky, acidic soils of boreal forests, alpine meadows, and coastal heathlands across the circumpolar regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its small, leathery leaves, delicate pink bell-shaped flowers, and bright red berries have made it a beloved plant of northern landscapes, while its astringent, tannin-rich leaves have given it a prominent place in the botanical traditions of indigenous peoples and European herbalists alike.
Our Uva Ursi leaf is certified organic, cut and sifted to preserve its botanical integrity.
Botanical Profile
- Botanical Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Family: Ericaceae (Heather family)
- Common Names: Uva Ursi, Bearberry, Kinnikinnick, Bear's Grape, Mealberry, Sandberry
- Plant Part Used: Leaf
- Preparation: Cut & Sifted
- Cultivation: Certified Organic
- Origin: Northern Europe / North America
- Appearance: Small, dark green, leathery dried leaf pieces
- Aroma: Mildly astringent, slightly bitter, faintly earthy
- Flavor Profile: Strongly astringent, bitter, slightly sweet
About the Plant
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a prostrate, mat-forming evergreen shrub that grows to only 15–30 cm in height but spreads widely by trailing stems. It is found across the boreal and arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, growing in open coniferous forests, rocky outcrops, sand dunes, and alpine tundra. The plant produces small, urn-shaped pink to white flowers in spring and bright red to orange berries in autumn that are an important food source for bears, grouse, and other wildlife — hence the common name “bearberry.” The leaves contain high concentrations of tannins and the glycoside arbutin, which gives the plant its characteristic astringency. Uva Ursi was listed in the London Pharmacopoeia in 1788 and remained in official pharmacopoeias for over a century.
Traditional Context
Uva Ursi has been used by numerous Native American peoples, including the Ojibwe, Cree, and many Pacific Northwest nations, who used the leaves as a botanical preparation and the berries as a food source. The dried leaves were also used as a smoking mixture known as kinnikinnick by many nations. In European botanical tradition, Uva Ursi was documented by the Welsh physician Lhuyd in 1696 and adopted into mainstream European herbal practice in the 18th century. It remains a widely used botanical in contemporary Western herbalism.
Suggested Preparations
- Infusions: Steep 1–2 teaspoons in cold or lukewarm water for several hours (cold infusion preserves arbutin content better than hot water)
- Tinctures: Well-suited for alcohol extraction
- Herbal Blends: Traditionally combined with Cleavers, Cornsilk, and Dandelion Leaf
Quality & Sourcing
- ✓ Certified Organic
- ✓ Identity Verified
- ✓ Ethically Sourced
- ✓ Small Batch
- ✓ No Additives or Fillers
Storage
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. Properly stored, dried Uva Ursi leaf maintains its quality for 2–3 years.
A Note on Use
This product is sold as a botanical ingredient for educational and traditional use. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not recommended for long-term use or during pregnancy. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use if you are nursing, taking medications, or have a health condition.
Every purchase supports Twin Dragons Botanical Institute’s mission of botanical conservation, responsible sourcing, and the preservation of plant knowledge for future generations.