Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon, Vaccinium vitis idea L. – Ericaceae

Cranberry or mountain cranberry is a wild, evergreen plant with red fruit that is grown in the USA and Canada. The cranberry fruit is a medicinal part of this plant and is rich in vitamin C, carotenes, mineral and plant fibers, it also contains a high concentration of bioflavonoids and ellagic acid, which exhibits strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Cranberry also contains proanthocyanidin, a bioflavonoid from the group of polyphenols, which is the most important ingredient of this plant and is responsible for the inhibition of urinary infections. The high content of natural acids in the cranberry fruit contributes to lowering the pH value in the urinary tract, which prevents the growth and development of pathogenic bacteria and their adhesion to the walls of the urinary tract. All this indicates that cranberry is a plant with a distinct uroantiseptic effect.

The EMA (European Medicines Agency) prescribes two official indications where cranberry can be used as a traditional herbal medicine:
1. The indication is that cranberry is used as a traditional herbal remedy to alleviate the symptoms of mild urinary infections (burning sensation and frequent urination).
2. The indication is that cranberry is used as a traditional herbal remedy for the prevention of repeated, uncomplicated, milder urinary infections in women.

It is recommended that cranberry-based preparations be used in people over 18 years of age, as there is not enough evidence for use in younger patients. It is contraindicated in people who are hypersensitive to any of the components of the cranberry fruit. People who have been diagnosed with a kidney disease, such as kidney stones, require the supervision of a health care professional if they use any cranberry product. It is not recommended to use preparations based on cranberry fruit with tacrolimus (it can reduce the concentration of the drug in the serum) and warfarin (it can increase the effect of the drug, which can result in bleeding). It is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, due to a lack of evidence.

Cranberry

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