Uva ursi is an evergreen shrub that flourishes in alpine forests in many regions, including North America, Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, Siberia, and the Himalayas. It is commonly known as blackberry has a long history of use as an herbal tonic for urinary tract health. The parts of this herb used medicinally are the leaves. The leaves have no odor but are to be distinguished by their exceedingly bitter taste. The leaves of uva ursi are used mainly for kidney and urinary infections. Uva Ursi leaf is widely used as a diuretic, astringent and antiseptic. It is also effective for the treatment of kidney stones, as it acts on these by softening them and has muscle relaxant properties, which may be beneficial in patients with this disorder.