Uva Ursi. Bearberry. The leaf of Aretostaphylos Uva Ursi. Whortleberry, Bear-berry or Trailing Arbutus; Lin. Syst., Decandria monogynia; growing in the Northern parts of Europe and America.

Description. The leaves are dark green, obovate, obtuse, entire, shining on upper surface, reticulated underneath, coriaceous in consistence, about three-fourths of an inch in length. Not dotted beneath nor toothed on the margin.

Comp. & Prop. Taste astringent, odour like hay or tea; the infusion giving a bluish black precipitate with perchloride of iron. Contains tannin about 35 per cent., with a trace of gallic acid, bitter extractive, etc.

Off. Prep. Infusum Uvae Ursi. Infusion of Bearberry. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] (Bearberry leaves, half an ounce; boiling distilled water, ten fluid ounces.) [Extractum Uvae Ursi Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Uva Ursi. U. S. Sixteen fluid ounces of extract are made from sixteen troy ounces of Uva Ursi by percolation with diluted alcohol. Evaporation of the tincture, and the addition of eight ounces of sugar.]

Therapeutics. An astringent and diuretic, used in vesical and urethral affections, as catarrhus vesicas (chronic), to diminish irritability and mucous discharge, also in gleets; sometimes employed in kidney affections; it may be given with alkalies or acids.

Dose. Of powder, 10 gr. to 30 gr.; of the infusion, 1 fl. oz. to 2 fl. oz. [Of the fluid extract, 20 min. to 1 fl. drm.]

Adulteration. Leaves of Red Wortleberry or Vaccinium

Vitis Idoea may be added, distinguished by being dotted and not reticulated on the under surface, and the margins crenated: also common box leaves, which can be recognized by their want of astringency.

[Gaultheria. The leaves of Gaultheria Precumbens. Partridge-berry, Wintergreen. U. S. Lin. Syst., Decandria monogynia: common in most parts of the United States.

Comp. & Prop. Taste, peculiar aromatic and somewhat astringent, odour aromatic; contains a heavy essential oil on which its properties depend.

Off. Prep. Oleum Gaultheria, obtained by distillation; it is a hydro carbon C20 H16 containing methy salicic acid C16 H8 O6.

Therapeutics. Gaultheria is stimulant, aromatic, and somewhat astringent; it is chiefly used in domestic practice. The oil is employed mainly as a flavoring ingredient.]