Cranberry Herb

Cranberry, associated with Thanksgiving to much of the United States is found in bogs through out the Northern Hemisphere. The Cranberry grows in small dense bushes with dark pink flowers and produces the delectable berry commonly eaten with Turkey on Thanksgiving.

Cranberry is also known for its decorative, culinary and medicinal properties and used in capsule form, eaten, juiced and to flavor teas and beverages and even used in crafts. Cranberry is a major commercial crop for many Canadian Providences and US states and widely exported.

The Cranberries natural appeal and properties including being high in anti-oxidants makes this fruit among the listed Super Foods. Cranberry cultivation occurs most often where the water table is high and the harvesting of it is generally done by flooding the area and combing the bushes which causes the berry to float to the surface and flow with the water when drained.

95% of Cranberries are processed into juices and other products leaving just 5% sold as fresh. In order to sell the Cranberry as a fresh fruit it must be harvested dry and not by the usual flooding method.

Cranberry Tea

Cranberries teas can be prepared by simmering the berries in water for about 30 minutes (amount of berries and water varies by desire), other teas or juices and herbs can be added and steeped for about an hour before straining. This tea can be enjoyed while hot or cold.

Cranberry Uses & Herbal Remedies

Cranberry is most often eaten or drank in juice form for its nutritive value as well as taste.

Cranberry juice and supplements are common in the treatment and as a preventative for urinary tract infections as well as general urinary tract health.

Cranberry is often used to ease digestion and help with gall bladder attacks.

Cranberry is being shown to be a possible aid in preventing heart disease, lowering cholesterol and preventing cancer.

Cranberry Cautions

Very high doses of Cranberry can cause stomach upset or diarrhea.