Cranberry

Vaccinium spp

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Ericacea, or heather family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Vaccinium is cultivated in bogs of the northern U.S. and Canada. Due to its specialized habitat requirements, cranberries have been naturalized only in surrounding areas with rich, glacial peat bogs. Affinity for marshes means attraction to wetness and acidic regions, hinting at affinity for the urinary tract. Specifically, this translate to being a powerful cleansing agent of urinary infections and stones. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Berry ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Antiseptic
• Diuretic
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Urinary tract infection
• Inflammation
• Kidney stones
• Low immunity ^[2]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Flavonoids (proanthocyanidins), glycosides, triterpenoids (ursolic acid), alpha-linolenic acid, fatty acids. ^[2]
7. System Affinities:
• Urinary, renal, immune ^[3]  
8. Energetics:
• Cold, light, dry ^[1]
9. Safety:
• Contraindicated for those with renal insufficiency. ^[1]
10. Interactions:
• None known. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• Unsweetened cranberry juice smells very bitter. It is a dark red color, and is fairly opaque. The taste is overwhelmingly bitter/sour. It is very drying in my mouth.
2. Preparation Method:
• Juice: 8 oz. 3x/day
• Capsules: 1 tablet (300 – 400 mg) 2x/day ^[2]
3. Usage Notes:
• I had to dilute the cranberry juice with water to make it more palatable. This resulted in me drinking much more liquid than I usually do in a day, which increased my urine output and overall had me feeling great. I wasn’t suffering from a UTI but I noticed during my increased trips to the bathroom that my urine was pale and very diluted, which is always a good sign.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 7 Study Questions. Bastyr University: SP-18_MW5123-A Botanicals 3: Pregnancy.
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.