Plant Profile

American Cranberry

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Family: Ericaceae · Parts used: Fruit (berry) · Also known as: Cranberry, Large cranberry, Bearberry

The complete database record: 4 documented constituents, 2 pharmacological actions, 3 traditional / indicated uses, with 16 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Low, trailing, evergreen woody vine with small, wiry stems and small, oval, leathery leaves. Small, pink, four-petalled flowers with reflexed petals give way to round to oblong, tart red berries.

Height: 5-20 cm (trailing vine, stems can spread 1-2 m)

Habit: Low, trailing, evergreen woody vine

Leaves: Small, oval, leathery, dark green above and pale beneath

Flowers: Small, pink, four-petalled with reflexed (swept-back) petals

Stem: Wiry, trailing, rooting at nodes

Root: Shallow, fibrous root system

Fruit: Round to oblong, tart, red berry

Flowering Period: May-July

Habitat & Distribution

Grows in acidic bogs, wetlands and sandy peat soils; native to North America and now widely cultivated commercially, especially in flooded bogs.

Harvesting

Berries are harvested in autumn when fully red, either dry-picked or by flooding the bog so the berries float (wet harvest) for collection.

Parts: Fruit (berry)

Season: Autumn

Key Constituents

A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs)^[11]

The constituents responsible for the anti-adhesion effect against uropathogenic E. coli.

Proanthocyanidins

Flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins and other flavonoids^[11]

Antioxidant polyphenols of the berry.

AnthocyaninsPhenolic compoundsFlavonoids

Phenolic acids and organic acids (quinic, malic, citric)^[11]

Contribute to the acidity and antioxidant capacity.

Phenolic acids

Oxalates^[12]

Present in relatively high amounts; relevant to kidney-stone risk.

Pharmacological Actions

Antioxidant^{[8, 11]}

Urinary antiseptic^{[1, 2, 9, 11]}

Anti-adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to the urinary tract lining

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Infection (general)^{[1, 5, 10, 11, 12, 14]}Strong · 9/10

Prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), especially in women

Evidence: 9

Label: Infection (general)

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Urinary support^{[3, 7, 11]}Good · 8/10

inferred from urinary-antiseptic action

Evidence: 8

Label: Urinary support

more plants for urinary support →detailed sources →

Urinary tract infection (UTI)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14]}Strong · 10/10

Anti-adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to the urinary tract lining; Prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), especially in women

Evidence: 10

Label: Urinary tract infection (UTI)

more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Cranberry has a long Native American and North American folk tradition as a food and remedy for urinary complaints, an association now well supported by modern research showing its A-type proanthocyanidins prevent E. coli from adhering to the urinary tract lining, making it most useful for prevention of recurrent UTIs rather than treatment of an active infection.^[14]

Preparations

Juice^[14]

Unsweetened or lightly sweetened cranberry juice, taken regularly as a traditional and modern preventive measure for recurrent UTIs.

Standardized tablet/capsule^[14]

Standardized proanthocyanidin (PAC) extract in tablet or capsule form, used for UTI prevention in clinical research.

Dosage

Juice/extract^[14]

Clinical research commonly uses around 36 mg PAC daily (standardized extract) or 240-300 mL unsweetened juice daily for UTI prevention. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[12, 14]}Info

Best supported for PREVENTION of recurrent UTIs, not for treating an active infection; an established UTI needs proper medical assessment and, usually, antibiotics.

Safety note^[12]Caution

May interact with the anticoagulant warfarin (evidence is conflicting); people taking warfarin should be cautious and consult their clinician.

Safety note^[12]Caution

High in oxalates; people with a history of kidney stones should avoid large or prolonged intake. Many cranberry juices are also high in sugar.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Anticoagulants Antiplatelets^{[15, 16]}Caution

Mechanism: Regularly drinking large amounts of cranberry juice has been linked to raised INR and bleeding in people taking warfarin, and UK drug-safety authorities advise caution; occasional small amounts are unlikely to matter. If you take a blood thinner, keep cranberry intake modest and steady and tell your clinician.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Harvest Readiness

^[13]

Part: fruit

Signals: Pick the berries when ripe and deep red, in autumn.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: the seeds ripen from August to October

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3358); the berries ripen to deep red in autumn (seeds ripen August-October; flowering June-August). Single lineage -> provisional.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Williams, G., Hahn, D., Stephens, J.H., Craig, J.C. and others (2023) 'Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4(4), pp. CD001321. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001321.pub6 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001321.pub6
Mantzorou, M. and Giaginis, C (2018) 'Cranberry Consumption Against Urinary Tract Infections: Clinical State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives', Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 19(13), pp. 1049-1063. doi:10.2174/1389201020666181206104129 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201020666181206104129
Fu, Z., Liska, D., Talan, D. and Chung, M (2017) 'Cranberry Reduces the Risk of Urinary Tract Infection Recurrence in Otherwise Healthy Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', The Journal of Nutrition, 147(12), pp. 2282-2288. doi:10.3945/jn.117.254961 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.117.254961
Xia, J.Y., Yang, C., Xu, D.F., Xia, H. and others (2021) 'Consumption of cranberry as adjuvant therapy for urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis', PLoS One, 16(9), pp. e0256992. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0256992 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256992
Maki, K.C., Kaspar, K.L., Khoo, C., Derrig, L.H. and others (2016) 'Consumption of a cranberry juice beverage lowered the number of clinical urinary tract infection episodes in women with a recent history of urinary tract infection', The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 103(6), pp. 1434-1442. doi:10.3945/ajcn.116.130542 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.116.130542
Babar, A., Moore, L., Leblanc, V., Dudonne, S. and others (2021) 'High dose versus low dose standardized cranberry proanthocyanidin extract for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection in healthy women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial', BMC Urology, 21(1), pp. 44. doi:10.1186/s12894-021-00811-w Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-021-00811-w
Perez-Lopez, F.R., Haya, J. and Chedraui, P (2009) 'Vaccinium macrocarpon: an interesting option for women with recurrent urinary tract infections and other health benefits', Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 35(4), pp. 630-639. doi:10.1111/j.1447-0756.2009.01026.x Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0756.2009.01026.x
Nemzer, B.V., Al-Taher, F., Yashin, A., Revelsky, I. and others (2022) 'Cranberry: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Impact on Human Health: Overview', Molecules, 27(5), pp. 1503. doi:10.3390/molecules27051503 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051503
Davidson, E., Zimmermann, B.F., Jungfer, E. and Chrubasik-Hausmann, S (2014) 'Prevention of urinary tract infections with Vaccinium products', Phytotherapy Research, 28(3), pp. 465-470. doi:10.1002/ptr.5047 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5047
Tsiakoulias, E., Gravas, S., Hadjichristodoulou, C., Oikonomou, K.G. and others (2024) 'Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study of prophylactic cranberries use in women with recurrent uncomplicated cystitis', World Journal of Urology, 42(1), pp. 27. doi:10.1007/s00345-023-04741-0 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-023-04741-0
Gonzalez de Llano, D., Moreno-Arribas, M.V. and Bartolome, B (2020) 'Cranberry Polyphenols and Prevention against Urinary Tract Infections: Relevant Considerations', Molecules. doi:10.3390/molecules25153523 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25153523
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) (2020) 'Cranberry: Usefulness and Safety'. Available at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cranberry Traditional / reference
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cranberry
Plants For A Future 'Vaccinium macrocarpon (American Cranberry)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Vaccinium+macrocarpon Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Vaccinium+macrocarpon
Moro, C., Phelps, C., Veer, V., Jones, M., Glasziou, P., Clark, J., Tikkinen, K.A.O. and Scott, A.M (2024) 'Cranberry Juice, Cranberry Tablets, or Liquid Therapies for Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis', European Urology Focus. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.002 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2024.07.002
Aston, J.L., Lodolce, A.E. and Shapiro, N.L (2006) 'Interaction between warfarin and cranberry juice', Pharmacotherapy, 26(9), pp. 1314-1319. doi:10.1592/phco.26.9.1314 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1592/phco.26.9.1314
Paeng, C.H., Sprague, M. and Jackevicius, C.A (2007) 'Interaction between warfarin and cranberry juice', Clinical Therapeutics, 29(8), pp. 1730-1735. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2007.08.018 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2007.08.018

Selected studies & references

ReviewCranberry Juice, Cranberry Tablets, or Liquid Therapies for Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis source↗ (2024)

ReviewCranberries for preventing urinary tract infections source↗ (2023)

ReviewCranberry: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Impact on Human Health: Overview source↗ (2022)

ReviewConsumption of cranberry as adjuvant therapy for urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis source↗ (2021)

ReviewCranberry Consumption Against Urinary Tract Infections: Clinical State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives source↗ (2018)

ReviewCranberry Reduces the Risk of Urinary Tract Infection Recurrence in Otherwise Healthy Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis source↗ (2017)

ReviewPrevention of urinary tract infections with Vaccinium products source↗ (2014)

ReviewVaccinium macrocarpon: an interesting option for women with recurrent urinary tract infections and other health benefits source↗ (2009)

All 15 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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