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 | Cranberry Other Names:
Botanical Name: Vaccinium
Family: Vaccinium oxycoccos (synonym V. macrocarpon) |
Description: |
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is one of nature's best weapons against cystitis and urinary tract infections.
For users, doctors have routinely advised patients to drink Cranberry juice to prevent urinary infections. In fact, it is cited as an effective remedy for this problem in the U.S Pharmacopeia, the official listing of drugs in the United States. At one time, scientists believed that Cranberry acidified the urine, and in the process, killed invading bacteria that could cause infection. Recently, however, Dr. Anthony Sabota, a scientist at Youngstown State University in Ohio, offered another possible explanation. His studies suggested that Cranberry prevents bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder, thus flushing the potential troublemakers out of the body before they can do their damage. At this writing, no one knows precisely how Cranberry works, but nearly everyone agrees that it does. Unfortunately, commercially prepared Cranberry juice beverages are often laden with sugar and high in calories. Therefore, capsules of Cranberry extract available in health food stores are not only more potent, but also less caloric.
Preventing the spread of bacterial infection in the urinary tract is a benefit of Cranberry, which can be consumed by taking 1capsule up to 3 times daily. If you suspect that you already have a urinary infection, however, see your doctor at once.
Cranberry juice cocktails sold in grocery stores are highly sweetened and processed. Look for unsweetened, unprocessed products in specialty food stores or health food stores for maximum benefit. |
Habitat: |
| The small cranberry is V. oxycoccos while the larger one is V. macrocarpon. The small cranberry is native to most parts of the northern hemisphere while the larger one is indigenous to North America. |
Constituents: |
| It contains organic acids including quinic, malic, citric and hippuric acid, anthocyanins as well as vitamin C. |
Medicinal Usage: |
It is used for the treatment and prevention of urinary infections as well as kidney disorders.
Studies have also proved that it is effective in treating bladder infections.
Although it was first thought that it was the acidic nature of this herb that prevents bacteria from flourishing, it is now established that it contains a compound that prevent the adhesion of E. coli to the bladder wall lining. Since the E. coli cannot adhere to the environment, there is no infection.
It is also used for incontinence and for cystitis. |
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