Vaccinium macrocarpon
Part Used: Whole ripe berry
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a low-growing shrub of the heath family with leathery leaves and astringent red berries. Cranberries and their juice have long been regarded as folk treatments for urinary infections. In early American medicine, the crushed berries were applied to tumors and poulticed on wounds. The berries were recognized as a treatment for scurvy (a vitamin C deficiency) and dysentery.
Historically, Cranberry fruits and leaves were used for a variety of problems, such as wounds, urinary disorders, diarrhea, diabetes, stomach ailments, and liver problems. Recently, Cranberry products have been used in the hope of preventing or treating urinary tract infections or Helicobacter pylori infections that can lead to stomach ulcers, or to prevent dental plaque. Cranberry has also been reported to have antioxidant and anticancer activity. Some studies testing Cranberry products for their ability to prevent urinary tract infections have shown promise. These studies have generally been small in size, and some were not randomized or controlled; therefore, the results are not conclusive.
Cranberry products have not been adequately tested to see if they can be used to help treat an existing urinary tract infection. Research shows that components found in Cranberry may prevent bacteria, such as E. coli, from clinging to the cells along the walls of the urinary tract and causing infection. However, the mechanism of action of Cranberry is not fully understood. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs) that can prevent the adhesion of certain of bacteria, including E. coli, associated with urinary tract infections to the urinary tract wall. The anti-adhesion properties of Cranberry may also inhibit the bacteria associated with gum disease and stomach ulcers. Recent scientific research shows that Cranberries and Cranberry products contain significant amounts of antioxidants and other phytonutrients that may help protect against heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
References:
National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicines. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/cranberry/
The Cranberry Institute. http://www.cranberryinstitute.org/healthresearch.htm
