The use of cranberry against cystitis has its roots in American folk medicine.
Earlier it was said that the efficiency of cranberry on infections in the urinary system was caused by the bacteria weakening on account of an increased excretion of hippuric acid in the urine. However, research has shown that the intake of cranberry only occasionally caused that high a concentration of hippuric acid in the urine and that this, therefore, was not the working mechanism.
Not until 1984 did dr. Anthony Sobota and his staff succeed in showing that cranberry extract works by preventing the rod-shaped bacteria fron sticking to mucosa of the urinary tracts. In this way they were flushed out with the urine.
Cranberry contain - among other things - the sugar substance D-mannose which has the special ability of being able to prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to the walls of the mucosal wall without harming the friendly-minded bacteria. They also contain the substance arbutin which is effective against certain bacteria and fungi, among others the Candida fungus. Moreover, it contains a flavonoid called myricetin which has a slight preventive effect on prostate cancer.
Cranberry extract, furthermore, is used against gastric ulcers and gingivitis. Also in this case the ability of the cranberry to prevent bacteria that cause disease from sticking to the mucosa is used.
Sustained consumption of cranberry will be able to dissolve several kinds of kidney stones.
Dosage
Approx. 400 - 500 mg. of extract 3 times daily. To be taken between meals.
Please note
Cranberry products sweetened with sugar reduce the beneficial effect.
Cranberry is particularly good together with Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and an extra supplement of vitamin C.
Interactions
- Cranberry is believed to be able to reduce the effect of the medication warfarin.
- Cranberry juice (250 ml 2 times daily) can strengthen the effect of antibiotic treatments against the Helicobacter pylori bacteria which is implicated in stomach ulcers. Strangely, this effect is only present in women.
Further information
www.phytotherapies.org
