Uva Ursi Tea: How to Make It and Use It Safely

Uva ursi tea is an infusion of dried uva ursi leaves; this conditional cold-steep recipe takes 2 hours and 5 minutes and yields 1 cup (240 mL).

What is uva ursi tea?

Uva ursi tea is made from the leaves of the uva ursi plant, also known as bearberry. The leaves contain arbutin and tannins, which contribute to the tea’s bitter, astringent taste.

Uva ursi has a history of use for urinary concerns, but that does not make it a proven treatment or a good choice for everyone. For a broader look at these drinks, see herbal detox tea.

How do you make uva ursi tea?

Use this cold-steep method only if a clinician says uva ursi is appropriate for you and the product label permits a 2-hour refrigerated steep using 1 tea bag per 1 cup of water. If the label calls for a hot infusion or different proportions or timing, follow its directions instead; the preparation time and yield below may not apply.

Yield: 1 cup (240 mL)
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Steep time: 2 hours, refrigerated
Total time: 2 hours and 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 240 mL (1 cup) drinking water
• 1 commercially packaged uva ursi tea bag; check the package for the leaf weight in grams. Tea bags are not measured by the cup, and their weights vary.

Method

1. Check that the label permits 1 tea bag per 1 cup (240 mL) of water and a 2-hour refrigerated steep.
2. Place the tea bag in a clean, covered container and add the water.
3. Refrigerate the infusion for 2 hours.
4. Remove the tea bag and serve. Do not add extra bags to make it stronger.
5. Refrigerate any remaining tea and drink it within 24 hours.

For other drink ideas, try the ai detox recipe generator.

The tea bag’s weight matters because products can contain different quantities of leaves. Do not substitute an estimated cup measure of loose leaves for the bag, and do not assume that a larger or stronger serving is more effective.

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Does uva ursi tea help with detox?

Uva ursi tea has not been established as a way to cleanse the body. Whether brewed uva ursi tea can treat or prevent a urinary tract infection has not been established, and it should not replace medical assessment or treatment.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste. Sweat removes only trace amounts. Fluids help maintain hydration, but uva ursi tea has not been shown to make these processes work better.

How much uva ursi tea should you drink, and when?

There is no reliable general amount or drinking schedule that can be inferred from a tea bag alone. Products differ in leaf quantity and preparation, so check the label and ask a clinician or pharmacist whether the particular product is suitable for you before using it.

Do not treat the recipe’s single-cup yield as a recommendation to drink uva ursi tea daily or for a set number of days. If you have urinary symptoms, seek medical advice rather than relying on the tea or delaying assessment. Plain water can help with hydration without requiring use of the herb.

What are the side effects, and who should be careful?

Uva ursi can cause stomach upset, nausea or vomiting. Its compounds also raise safety concerns, particularly with repeated use or in people with kidney or liver problems. Stop using it and contact a clinician if you develop concerning symptoms after drinking it.

Avoid uva ursi if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are a child or teenager, or if you have kidney or liver disease. If you take medication, check with a clinician or pharmacist before use; do not stop prescribed medication.

Contact a clinician about burning or pain when urinating, frequent urination, or other possible urinary infection symptoms. Seek prompt medical attention for fever, vomiting, pain in your back or side, or blood in your urine, because these can be signs of a more serious problem.

What should you check before buying uva ursi tea?

Check that the package identifies uva ursi and lists any other ingredients. A blend may have different preparation instructions and safety considerations from a single-ingredient tea, so the method above may not fit it.

Keep the package so you can show a clinician or pharmacist the ingredients and directions if you have a question or experience a side effect. Product directions are useful for preparation, but they do not establish that the herb is safe for every person.