Of all of the ingredients in our Premium 7 Day Comprehensive Cleansing Program none has a more peculiar name than the Uvi Ursi leaf.  Also known as the bearberry or whortleberry, the leaves from this shrub have been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for a number of different ailments.

It is known as the bearberry because the berries from this small shrub happen to be the favorite food of bears.  As far back as the 2^nd century Uvi Ursi leaves have been used as a diuretic, antiseptic and an astringent.  Native Americans used it for a treatment for headaches and to treat urinary tract infections.  They also used the stems of the Uvi Ursi shrub mixed with blueberries to prevent miscarriages and to help speed recovery after childbirth and prevent postpartum infection.

In Europe Uvi Ursi leaves have been steeped to make tea that was used as a traditional bladder treatment.  It also helped shrink kidney stones because it reduces the build up of uric acid in the body. Kidney stones are made from a built up crystallization of uric acid.  Many cultures believe that Uvi Ursi leaves are a very effective treatment for arthritis, backaches and rheumatism because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

The most important aspect of the Uvi Ursi leaves in relation to our Premium 7 Day Comprehensive Cleansing Program is their beneficial effects on the kidney, liver, bladder and pancreas.  They are also helpful in treating chronic diarrhea, yeast infections, and menstrual cramps.  Dehydrated Uvi Ursi leaves can be made into a topical treatment to be applied to burns, minor cuts, sore gums and canker sores and to sooth inflamed tissues.  It has also been used in the treatment of people with bedwetting problems.  There have been some reports that Uva Ursi has been helpful in fighting the E. coli virus.

Because Uvi Ursi leaves act like a diuretic they can cause dehydration therefore one must make sure that they drink plenty of liquids to prevent severe dehydration when using this supplement.  Uvi Ursi leaves should not be used by children or pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.  People who have kidney problems, blood pressure problems or have had a urinary tract infection for more than a 24 hour period should consult a doctor before using Uvi Ursi leaves.

(To Be Continued)