Cranberry Extract Vaccinium macrocarpon Anthocyanosides Anthocyanidins

What Is It?

Generations of American women have known that the bitter native cranberry isn't just the basis of a Thanksgiving relish. In fact, these small, dark red berries have a long medical history in addition to a colorful culinary one. Specifically, cranberry juice and cranberry extract appear to help prevent and even eliminate urinary tract infections. Most women develop this type of problem at least once in their lives, and some suffer from constant recurrences.

The name "cranberry" evolved from "craneberry" (a common name for the low-growing shrub Vaccinum macrocarpon) because the plant's flowers resemble the heads of cranes frequently spotted in the bogs where cranberries thrive.

Health Benefits

Early American physicians successfully applied crushed cranberries to tumors and wounds. They also used cranberries as a remedy for the age-old malady known as scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. It wasn't too surprising, therefore, when modern scientists discovered that cranberries contain plentiful stores of this common antioxidant vitamin.