Horse Gram vs Trailing Arbutus

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Horse Gram

Macrotyloma uniflorum

Urinary

Epigaea repens

Urinary

Horse Gram

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Trailing Arbutus

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

A leguminous plant cultivated across South Asia whose seeds are used in Ayurveda to dissolve kidney stones and treat urinary disorders.

Low creeping evergreen of North American woodlands; flowers are the state flower of Massachusetts; used by Indigenous peoples for kidney conditions.

Active Compounds

Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Dietary fiber, Phytosterols

arbutin, tannins, flavonoids, formic acid

Traditional Uses

Kidney and urinary stone dissolution, Urinary tract infections, Weight management

Kidney and bladder conditions, Urinary tract infections, Uterine conditions, Used by Iroquois and Potawatomi peoples

Modern Uses

Urolithiasis prevention and treatment, Metabolic syndrome, Diuretic

Urinary antiseptic via arbutin, Diuretic, Astringent

Adult Dosage

Decoction of 100g seeds in 500ml water daily

2–3 g dried leaves as tea; 1–2 mL tincture

Contraindications

May aggravate gout (purine content)

Pregnancy, Prolonged use

Side Effects

GI bloating, Flatulence

GI irritation with prolonged use, Green discoloration of urine

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E