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Uva ursi explained: what it is and where it comes from

Uva ursi comes from fresh or dried bearberry leaves, which the NIH says contain arbutin, flavonoids, oils and resins. The NIH says arbutin breaks down into hydroquinone. One product we reviewed lists uva ursi, and its label does not print the ingredient's amount.

By HowNook's Health desk · Updated

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What it is
Plant
Amounts the NIH names
Uva ursi tablets and capsules typically contain 150, 455 or 505 mg and are taken one to three times daily.
In the products we reviewed
1, its label does not print the amount

What uva ursi is

  • Uva ursi comes from fresh or dried bearberry leaves.1
  • Arctostaphylos and uva-ursi both mean “grape of the bears”.1
  • Uva ursi leaves contain plant compounds including arbutin, flavonoids, oils and resins.1
  • Uva ursi leaves contain arbutin, which breaks down into hydroquinone.2
  • Uva ursi is available in tablets and capsules and is taken one to three times daily.1
  • Uva ursi can be prepared as tea from dried leaves or a powdered extract.1

How much uva ursi each product gives

Per serving, as each label prints it, against the amounts the NIH names

NIH: 150 mg to 505 mg per dose

Amount not printed: the dashed line shows the most it can be, the whole blend

Max VitalizeNot printed · at most 176 mg

Before you take it

Side effects

  • Side effects are uncommon but at high doses may include nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, shortness of breath and allergic reactions.1

Ask a doctor first

  • Uva ursi should generally be avoided during breastfeeding because safety data are lacking and it may be toxic.2
  • High doses can cause rare but potentially severe reactions, including seizures, delirium and cardiovascular collapse.1

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. A supplement is not a medicine.

The product we reviewed that lists uva ursi

ProductForm and servingUva ursi per servingOur scorePrice a bottleBuy
Max Vitalize#3 in men's health supportCapsules2 capsulesNot printedIn a 176 mg proprietary blend9.3$49Check price
Prices checked Oct 11, 2026

Questions people ask

What is uva ursi?

Uva ursi comes from fresh or dried bearberry leaves. The NIH says these leaves contain arbutin, flavonoids, oils and resins. It says arbutin breaks down into hydroquinone.

What is uva ursi tea?

Uva ursi tea can be prepared from dried leaves or a powdered extract, according to the NIH.

What is a typical uva ursi dosage?

Uva ursi tablets and capsules typically contain 150, 455 or 505 mg and are taken one to three times daily, according to the NIH. High doses can cause rare but potentially severe reactions. Ask a clinician before starting.

What are the side effects of uva ursi?

Uva ursi side effects are uncommon, but high doses may cause nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, shortness of breath and allergic reactions. High doses can also cause rare but potentially severe reactions, including seizures, delirium and cardiovascular collapse.

Is uva ursi safe while breastfeeding?

Uva ursi should generally be avoided during breastfeeding because safety data are lacking and it may be toxic. Ask a clinician before starting.

Which supplements contain uva ursi?

Max Vitalize is a product we reviewed that lists uva ursi. Its individual amount is not printed because it is inside a 176 mg proprietary blend. The serving is 2 capsules.

Sources

The products, amounts and prices come from each product's label and checkout, as its review shows them. AI drafts our pages from listed sources, figures are checked against them, and we have not tried the products.

  1. 1NIH LiverTox, Uva Ursincbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookschecked
  2. 2NIH LactMed, Uva Ursincbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookschecked