Parts used: Leaves Properties Alterative, antibacterial, antilithic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, lithotriptic Primary nutrients Iron, manganese, trace minerals, vitamin A Herbalists have recommended uva ursi for strengthening the urinary system and preventing and treating bladder and kidney infections. It can help increase the flow of urine. Uva ursi works to treat many bladder and kidney problems, including pyelitis, nephritis, urolithiasis, cystitis, urethritis and urinary catarrh. It contains astringent activity to help clean and protect the urinary system. It helps reduce inflammation and aids with diabetes, arthritis and hemorrhaging. Uva ursi has been studied and found to contain allantoin, a substance found to be healing and soothing to irritated tissues. Other experiments found it to contain antiseptic, antiviral and antibacterial properties. It also may be useful in treating trichomoniasis – a very common sexually transmitted disease, caused by infection with a protozoan parasite called trichomonas.