Medicinal Plants : Vaccinium macrocarpon

Name

Cranberry

Biological Name

Vaccinium macrocarpon, Oxycoccus quadripetalus
Ericaceae

Other Names

Cranberry

Parts Used

Juice from the berries

Active Compounds

Cranberry prevents E. coli, the most common cause of Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and recurrent UTIs, from adhering to the cells lining the wall of the bladder. This anti-adherence action renders the bacteria harmless in the urinary tract. The constituents in cranberry responsible for this anti-adherence activity have yet to be identified.

History

Cranberry has been used to prevent kidney stones and "bladder gravel" as well as to remove toxins from the blood. Cranberry has long been recommended for persons with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Remedies For

Useful for the treatment of:

Urinary tract infection

Dosage

People often take one capsule or tablet of a concentrated cranberry juice extract two to four times per day. Several glasses (16 ounces total) of a high-quality cranberry juice (not the cocktail) each day can approximate the effect of the cranberry concentrate.

Safety

There are no known side effects with cranberry concentrate, and it is safe for use during pregnancy and lactation. Cranberry should not be used as a substitute for antibiotics during an acute urinary tract infection.