Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has been used traditionally since the 17th century to treat a variety of ailments, and from the early 1920s to the present as an herbal treatment for recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs). While much of the initial evidence for the antibacterial properties of cranberry has not been proven, the herb's effectiveness against UTIs is unquestioned and the popularity of cranberry juice for this purpose has soared. Recent scientific studies have shown that cranberry prevents E. coli, the most common cause of UTIs, from adhering to the cells lining the wall of the bladder, thus preventing the bacteria from causing a UTI. Plant DescriptionFound in North America and grown in bogs, cranberry is an evergreen shrub that is botanically related to blueberry, buckberry, huckleberry, cowberry, and bilberry. The cranberry bush has upright branches whose leaves are speckled on the underside by tiny dots. Pink flowers blossom and red-black fruits appear during June and July. Available FormsCranberry is available as juice, fresh or frozen berries, cranberry concentrate, fresh berries, dried capsules, and tablets. How to Take ItThe following are recommended doses:
PrecautionsThere are no side effects or precautions reported. Keep in mind that cranberry should not be used as a substitute for antibiotics during a serious urinary tract infection. Possible InteractionsNo noteworthy interactions (positive or negative) between cranberry and conventional medications are known to have been reported in the literature to date. Supporting ResearchAhuja S, Kaack B, Roberts J. Loss of fimbrial adhesion with the addition of Vaccinum macrocarpon to the growth medium of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli. J Urol. 1998;159:559-562 Avorn J, Monane M, Gurwitz JH, Glynn RJ, Choodnovskiy I, Lipsitz LA. Reduction of bacteriuria and pyuria after ingestion of cranberry juice. JAMA. 1994;271:751-754. Bodel PT, Crotan R, Kass EH. Cranberry juice and the antibacterial action of hippuric acid. J Lab Clin Med. 1959;54:881. Bomser J, Madhavi DL, Singletary K, Smith MA. In vitro anticancer activity of fruit extracts from Vaccinium species. Planta Med. 1996;62(3):212-216. Bunney S, ed. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. New York, NY: Dorsett Press; 1984:202. Fleet JC. New support for a folk remedy: cranberry juice reduces bacteriuria and pyuria in elderly women. Nutr Rev. 1994;52(5):168-70. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Vol. I. New York, NY: Dover; 1971:99-100. Kahn DH, et al. Effect of cranberry juice on urine. J Am Diet Assoc. 1967;51:251. Mabberley DJ. The Plant-Book: A Portable Dictionary of the Higher Plants. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press; 1987:602. Murray M, Pizzorno J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. 2nd ed. Rocklin, Ca: Prima Publishing; 1998:287-288. Prodomos PN, Brusch CA, Ceresia GC. Cranberry juice in the treatment of urinary tract infection. Southwest Med. 1968;47:17. Schlager TA. Effect of cranberry juice on bacteriuria in children with neurogenic bladder. J Pediatr. 1999;135:698-702. Schmidt DR, Sobota AE. An examination of the anti-adherence activity of cranberry juice on urinary and nonurinary bacterial isolates. Microbios. 1988;55 (224-225):173-181. Siciliano AA. Cranberry. J Amer Botan Council Herb Res Foundation. Winter 1998;38. Thomson WA. Medicines from the Earth: A Guide to Healing Plants. Maidenhead, England: McGraw-Hill; 1978:108. Tyler V. The Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. 3rd ed. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press; 1993:101-102. Zafriri D, Ofek I, Adar R, Pocino M, Sharon N. Inhibitory activity of cranberry juice on adherence of type 1 and type P fimbriated Escherichia coli to eucaryotic cells. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1989;33: 92-98. More Articles: Aloe |
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