Herbal line 3 of 4
Bearberry (Uva-Ursi) in FemiPro: A One-Week Herb in a Daily Capsule
Bearberry uva-ursi is the leaf of a low evergreen shrub, and it is line 3 of 4 in FemiPro's 350 mg herbal blend, so one capsule holds at most about 116.7 mg. EU guidance allows bearberry-leaf medicines for adult women for no longer than one week, and not with kidney disorders. No trial has tested it in FemiPro.
Written by the FemiPro label deskUpdated
The plant01
What is bearberry (uva-ursi)?
Bearberry, or uva-ursi, is a low evergreen shrub. Its leaves have long served as a European folk remedy for the bladder. The Latin "uva-ursi" means "bear's grape".
The leaf holds arbutin, a plant compound the body breaks down into hydroquinone, which then leaves in the urine (LiverTox, Uva Ursi). Most of what is known about the herb, helpful or not, traces back to that compound.
On the FemiPro label the line reads "Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) (leaf)". It sits third of four in the "UTI Herbal Blend", after Mimosa pudica seed and cranberry and before berberine.
Leaf, not berry
The shrub grows red berries, but the label names the leaf. Herbal guidance is written for leaf preparations, so the berries in the artwork are decoration.
Per capsule02
How much bearberry is in a FemiPro capsule?
The FemiPro label does not say how much bearberry each capsule holds. It prints one total for the herbal blend, 350 mg, and lists the four herbs from heaviest to lightest (21 CFR 101.36, supplement labeling).
That order still sets a ceiling. Bearberry is third, so the two lines above it weigh at least as much. Three equal shares is the most it could be: 350 divided by 3 is about 116.7 mg.
The true figure could be far lower, even a few milligrams.
| Name on the label | Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) (leaf) |
|---|---|
| What it is | Leaf of a low evergreen shrub; contains arbutin, which forms hydroquinone |
| Place on the label | Line 3 of 4 in the 350 mg UTI Herbal Blend |
| Amount per capsule | Not printed; line 3 of 4 in the 350 mg UTI Herbal Blend. Label order caps it at 116.7 mg. |
| Amount used in research | EU traditional use: adult women, for no longer than one week |
| Strength of evidence | Traditional use only; few modern trials |
| Marketed or traditional use | Traditional urinary remedy |
| Main caution | Short courses only (hydroquinone); EMA says no longer than one week and not with kidney disorders. |
One-week limit03
Why is bearberry leaf limited to one week?
Bearberry leaf is limited to one week because European guidance treats it as a short-course herb. The European Medicines Agency allows it for mild, recurring bladder symptoms in adult women. The limit is one week (EMA/HMPC, Uvae ursi folium (bearberry leaf)).
The same guidance says to see a doctor if symptoms last more than four days or get worse. The reason is hydroquinone. LiverTox calls it a possible cancer-causing compound, so the herb is not for long-term use (LiverTox, Uva Ursi).
| Point | EU guidance | FemiPro label |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Adult women | Adults; under 18s, pregnant or nursing mothers ask a physician first |
| How long | No longer than one week | One capsule daily, with no stop date |
| See a doctor | Symptoms over 4 days or getting worse | If you have a known medical condition |
| Kidney disorders | Must not use | Not named |
A bottle holds 30 capsules. At one a day, the first bottle passes the one-week mark on day 8.
Hydroquinone04
What is hydroquinone, and why does it matter?
Hydroquinone is the compound bearberry leaf turns into after you swallow it. Arbutin from the leaf is broken down, and hydroquinone passes out in the urine (LiverTox, Uva Ursi).
It is likely both the active part of the herb and the reason for caution. LiverTox rates uva-ursi an unlikely cause of liver injury, but very high doses have caused nausea and ringing in the ears.
Arbutin in the leaf
The plant stores it in its leaves. FemiPro prints no arbutin figure.
Hydroquinone in the body
Arbutin breaks down after you swallow it, and the products leave in urine.
Short courses only
Guidance avoids repeated, long-term exposure. A daily capsule is long-term use.
Dose vs research05
How does FemiPro's bearberry compare with research?
FemiPro's bearberry cannot be matched to a research dose. The label gives no amount, and the guidance sets a time limit rather than a milligram target.
The gap is about time, not size. Even a small daily amount, taken for a month, runs past a one-week course.
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See packsWho should skip it06
Who should avoid bearberry leaf?
Women with kidney disorders should avoid bearberry leaf; EU guidance rules them out (EMA/HMPC, Uvae ursi folium (bearberry leaf)). The guidance covers adult women only, so it says nothing for men or anyone under 18.
The FemiPro label adds its own caution for pregnant or nursing mothers, children under 18 and anyone with a known medical condition. Bearberry is only one of four herbs here: read about berberine and its medicine interactions too.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any kidney condition or plan to take the capsule for more than a week. Keep taking prescribed medicine as directed while you decide.
Listed side effects are nausea, vomiting and stomach ache. See FemiPro side effects.
Bladder and UTIs07
Does bearberry help bladder leaks or UTIs?
No study shows that bearberry helps bladder leaks. Its traditional use is for symptoms of mild, recurring lower urinary tract infections, such as burning, not for leaks from a sneeze or a sudden urge.
Even then, the herb does not take the place of care. A urinary tract infection needs a clinician, who usually prescribes antibiotics (CDC, UTI basics). For leaks, start with pelvic floor exercises for women.
Next steps08
What should you ask before taking FemiPro with bearberry?
Ask how long you plan to take it. Bearberry guidance is built around one week, while a FemiPro bottle lasts 30 days.
Show the bottle to your doctor or pharmacist. They can check your kidneys and medicines and help you judge whether FemiPro suits you.
How long?
One week matches EU guidance; a month does not.
My kidneys?
Any kidney disorder rules bearberry leaf out.
My symptoms?
Burning, fever or blood in the urine need a test.
FAQ09
Bearberry questions
What is uva-ursi?
Uva-ursi is another name for bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, a low evergreen shrub. Its leaves contain arbutin. In FemiPro it is the third of four herbs in the 350 mg herbal blend, listed on the label as bearberry leaf.
Why is bearberry limited to one week?
Because the leaf releases hydroquinone, which is advised only for brief exposure. EU guidance allows bearberry-leaf medicines for adult women for no longer than one week and says to see a doctor if symptoms last over four days (EMA/HMPC, Uvae ursi folium (bearberry leaf)). A daily FemiPro capsule runs well past that limit.
What is hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone is a compound the body makes from arbutin, the main active substance in bearberry leaf, and it leaves the body in urine. Because it is a possible cancer-causing compound, LiverTox advises uva-ursi only in short courses and not for chronic use (LiverTox, Uva Ursi).
Can I take bearberry with kidney disease?
No. EU guidance says women with kidney disorders must not take bearberry-leaf medicines (EMA/HMPC, Uvae ursi folium (bearberry leaf)). FemiPro's herbal blend lists bearberry leaf, so the same caution applies to the capsule. With any kidney condition, ask your kidney doctor first.
Can bearberry change the color of your urine?
The sources we rely on do not list a color change, though they note that arbutin's breakdown products leave the body in urine. If your urine turns pink, red or cola-colored, see a clinician, because possible blood in the urine always deserves a check (Mayo Clinic, Blood in urine).
How much bearberry is in FemiPro?
The label does not say. Bearberry leaf is line 3 of 4 in a 350 mg blend listed by weight, so it can weigh at most 350 divided by 3, about 116.7 mg per capsule. It may be much less, and no arbutin content is printed.
Who wrote this10
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. stocking partner for FemiPro, not by the manufacturer or the label's distributor. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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