← All plants

Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Cranberry

Oxycoccus palustris

Family EricaceaeParts used FruitAlso known as bog cranberry, marshberry, swamp cranberry, European cranberry

This monograph compiles 3 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[1, 11, 12]
Antimicrobial[2, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[11, 12]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Infection (general)[2, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[1, 11, 12]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[11, 12]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Urinary support[1, 2, 11, 12, 13]Moderate · 5/10
more plants for urinary support →detailed sources →
Wounds[11, 12]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Info

Food amounts are generally considered safe (berries in meals, drinks, sauces). (Williams et al., 2023).

Safety note[11, 12, 13]Info

Duke (2002) includes cranberry primarily at the experimental level for its astringent, diuretic, and antioxidant properties. Commission E has not approved cranberry for specific indications, though there is evidence supporting its role in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) by inhibiting bacterial adhesion to uroepithelial cells (proanthocyanidins). Duke notes the high vitamin C and organic acid content. Food-grade consumption is considered safe and beneficial as a urinary acidifier (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-0940, REF-0941, REF-0942, REF-0943, REF-0944, REF-0945, REF-0946, REF-0947, REF-0948, REF-0949

References & Sources

  1. Shareef, S.M., Khaleel, R.A. and Maryoosh, T.M (2024) 'Nephroprotective effect of cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) in streptozocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in mice', Drug Metabolism and Personalized Therapy, 39(1), pp. 35-45. doi:10.1515/dmpt-2023-0092 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1515/dmpt-2023-0092
  2. Jurikova, T., Skrovankova, S., Mlcek, J., Balla, S. and Snopek, L (2018) 'Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Biological Effects of European Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)', Molecules, 24(1), pp. 24. doi:10.3390/molecules24010024 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24010024
  3. Sedbare, R., Raudone, L., Zvikas, V., Viskelis, J. and others (2022) 'Development and Validation of the UPLC-DAD Methodology for the Detection of Triterpenoids and Phytosterols in Fruit Samples of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton and Vaccinium oxycoccos L', Molecules, 27(14), pp. 4403. doi:10.3390/molecules27144403 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27144403
  4. Sedbare, R., Sprainaityte, S., Baublys, G., Viskelis, J. and Janulis, V (2023) 'Phytochemical Composition of Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.) Fruits Growing in Protected Areas of Lithuania', Plants (Basel), 12(10), pp. 1974. doi:10.3390/plants12101974 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101974
  5. Brown, P.N., Turi, C.E., Shipley, P.R. and Murch, S.J (2012) 'Comparisons of large (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) and small (Vaccinium oxycoccos L., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) cranberry in British Columbia by phytochemical determination, antioxidant potential, and metabolomic profiling with chemometric analysis', Planta Medica, 78(6), pp. 630-640. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1298239 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1298239
  6. Harini, K., Janani, K., Teja, K.V., Mohan, C. and Sukumar, M (2022) 'Formulation and evaluation of oral disintegrating films using a natural ingredient against Streptococcus mutans', Journal of Conservative Dentistry, 25(2), pp. 128-134. doi:10.4103/jcd.jcd_143_21 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.4103/jcd.jcd_143_21
  7. Cesoniene, L., Daubaras, R., Jasutiene, I., Vencloviene, J. and Miliauskiene, I (2011) 'Evaluation of the biochemical components and chromatic properties of the juice of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton and Vaccinium oxycoccos L', Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 66(3), pp. 238-244. doi:10.1007/s11130-011-0241-5 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-011-0241-5
  8. Van Rossum, F., Vereecken, N.J., Bredat, E. and Michez, D (2012) 'Pollen dispersal and fruit production in Vaccinium oxycoccos and comparison with its sympatric congener V. uliginosum', Plant Biology, 15(2), pp. 344-352. doi:10.1111/j.1438-8677.2012.00646.x Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2012.00646.x
  9. Kawash, J., Colt, K., Hartwick, N.T., Abramson, B.W. and others (2022) 'Contrasting a reference cranberry genome to a crop wild relative provides insights into adaptation, domestication, and breeding', PLoS One, 17(3), pp. e0264966. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0264966 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264966
  10. Stobnicka, A. and Gniewosz, M (2017) 'Antimicrobial protection of minced pork meat with the use of Swamp Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.) fruit and pomace extracts', Journal of Food Science and Technology, 55(1), pp. 62-71. doi:10.1007/s13197-017-2770-x Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-017-2770-x
  11. Jepson, R.G., Williams, G. and Craig, J.C (2012) 'Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections'. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  12. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
    https://powo.science.kew.org
  13. Hooton, T.M., Vecchio, M., Iroz, A., Tack, I., Dornic, Q., Seksek, I. and Lotan, Y (2018) 'Effect of increased daily water intake in premenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections: a randomized clinical trial', 178(11), pp. 1509--1515. Randomized trial
    Find this source

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

omniasana.bio · Single-Plant Monograph

Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio