uva ursi question

[yorkiemom]

I was told to take uva ursi to help my bladder--as many of you know, it's supposed to be very good for it. So I went to the health food store today but couldn't find it. The manager said, "It's in the diurectics." I flipped out--there is no way I could ever take a diuretic--it would set my bladder on fire to no end. I haven't been able to tolerate even a piece of an diuretic pill for years; almost killed myself with a couple teaspoons of marshmallow root tea, also a diurectic. No antihistamines, no cold remedies, no cough syrups, etc. I know that some of you take it without problems. Has anyone ever experienced a flare from uva ursi? Thanks!

[windwalker]

I tried it in tea form before I was diagnosed, bothered me a lot.

[massagedoula]

Uva Ursi is mainly taken for its astringent action by people with UTIs. While it is very useful for people with bladder infections, I don't see how it would help IC. I would guess that it would hurt an already inflamed bladder. Who told you to take it??? I would guess that it was yet another case of some well-meaning person mistaking IC for a UTI.

Now...if you HAVE an actual UTI, it is very good to take!