Evidence supporting the use of: Pipsissewa
For the health condition: Urinary Tract Infections
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata) has a longstanding history of traditional use in North American Indigenous medicine, especially for urinary tract conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney complaints, and as a diuretic. The leaves were prepared as teas or infusions to promote urination and address symptoms like painful or difficult urination. This traditional use was adopted by early European settlers, and "Pipsissewa" was featured in several 19th-century pharmacopeias as a remedy for chronic urinary tract inflammation and related issues.
However, scientific evidence supporting its use for UTIs is quite limited. Some phytochemical studies have identified compounds such as arbutin and hydroquinone derivatives in Pipsissewa. Arbutin is also found in bearberry (uva-ursi), which has mild antimicrobial properties in vitro and is used in other herbal traditions for urinary tract health. Despite this, there are no robust clinical trials or well-documented human studies confirming the efficacy or safety of Pipsissewa specifically for UTIs. The available evidence is largely anecdotal or based on historical use, and modern research has not established clear antibacterial activity or therapeutic benefit in human subjects.
In summary, the use of Pipsissewa for UTIs is justified primarily by traditional use rather than scientific validation, and the evidence supporting its use should be considered weak.
Other ingredients used for Urinary Tract Infections
AlfalfaAloe vera
anthocyanins
asparagus
astragalus
bacillus subtilis
barberry
bearberry
berberine
berry flavor
black currant
radish
cassia bark
celery
cranberry
cucumber
D-mannose
dandelion
dong quai root
Melon
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
fennel
fenugreek
fruit blend (proprietary)
fu ling
gokhru
goldenseal
green tea
hibiscus
Indian gum arabic tree
honeysuckle
knotweed
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus jensenii
Lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
lophatherum leaf
Methenamine
okra
ophiopogon root
pumpkin
pygeum
sage
vitamin C
Watercress
Watermelon
Mulberry
sarsaparilla
cardamom
smilax
Swertia
goldenrod
pau d'arco
juniper berries
cornsilk
buchu
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
hydrangea
purslane
coix
shepherd's purse
goji berry
gravel root
Akebia
apple cider vinegar
Angelica
arbutin
Agave
Agrimony
Aronia melanocarpa
Achyranthes
anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Alchemilla
asafoetida
aucubin
Aerva lanata
Adzuki bean
Agrimonia pilosa
Alisma
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
bergenin
Berberis (unspecified)
big quaking grass
bael
black gram
Bauhinia
baobab
baicalin
Bergenia
bottle gourd
cloudberry
Cucurbita
coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
carvacrol
chanca piedra
Coconut Water
Cistus
cubeb
Crinum latifolium
Coin-leaf desmodium
corn
carambola
Cynodon dactylon
currant
dwarf morning glory
Desmodium
Euryale seed
fleabane
Graviola
Galium
Guazuma ulmifolia
heather
horse gram
Houttuynia
hydroxyquinoline
Java tea
Job\'s tears
Kachnar
knotgrass
Lactobacillus plantarum
lime
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lomatium
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lophira lanceolata
Lespedeza capitata
Long Buchu
lingonberry
Lactobacillus
Loranthus
Lysimachia
Longleaf buchu
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mung bean
Marsh Tea
Mormon Tea
Methyl arbutin
mannose
manzanita
Oldenlandia diffusa
Ovate Buchu
Pata de Vaca
Phragmites
Pepper Bark Tree
Pelargonium
Pareira
Pedalium
Pedra hume
Pipsissewa
Pyrola
Palo Azul
rosthorn snake gourd
Rhus coriaria
Rosa laevigata
Rumex acetosa
Sambucus nigra
Spiny Restharrow
Semecarpus anacardium
saponins
Scirpus
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Stone Root
Shilajit
Tannins
Tribuloside
Taraxacum
Taraxol
Vasicine
Withanolides
Other health conditions supported by Pipsissewa
Bladder InfectionKidney Stones
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores