Find in our documents the properties and benefits of the plants. These properties are recognized for specific uses and dosages of the active constituents contained in these plants. Their use should always be accompanied by the advice of a healthcare professional.
Nom latin
Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton
Famille
Ericaeae
Geographical Distribution
North America
Partie utilisée
Fruits
Plant Use
Regulations do not allow us to communicate about the benefits and numerous virtues of this plant.
Scientific Overview
Having been the subject of numerous pharmacological and clinical studies, the cranberry fruit, with its multi-target action, owes its benefits to several major groups of constituents, including:
- Proanthocyanidins (PACs): condensed tannins, polymers of epicatechin;
- Anthocyanosides (3-O-galactosides and 3-O-arabinosides of cyanidin and peonidin);
- Flavonoids (primarily quercetin, myricetin, and their 3-O-glycoside derivatives);
- Organic acids (quinic, citric, malic acids, etc.).
Botanical Description
The cranberry is a creeping plant about thirty centimeters tall, with small, slender leaves, that typically grows in acidic and marshy soils. In summer, pink flowers are replaced by bright red fruits with firm white flesh.
The first use of the cranberry dates back to the 17th century, but it has been cultivated since the early 19th century, primarily in the United States and Canada.
Bibliographic References:
- Bruneton J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. 5th ed. Paris, Lavoisier, 2016 - Large-fruited cranberry (cranberry), pp. 608-610.
- ESCOP. The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Vaccinii macrocarpi fructus Cranberry. ESCOP monographs (Online series) 2020.
- Rombi M, Robert D. Cranberry – Fruit (Lingonberry), fruit juice. Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton (= Oxycoccus macrocarpos (Aiton) Pursh) Ericaceae In: 120 Plants, 3rd Edition. Monaco: Alpen, 2007. pp. 109-111.
- Upton R, Brendler T, eds. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium: Cranberry Fruit: Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton. Scotts Valley, CA: American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Monograph revision; 2016.