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CRANBERRY
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(Vaccinium vitis
idaea)
Top
Pick
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Other
Names
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Alpine
Cranberry, Cowberry, Red Bilberry,
Whortelberry.
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Description
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Cranberry is a small
evergreen plant that grows in mountain forests
and damp bogs.
The creeping rootstock grows 4 to 10 feet
tall, producing pale green, rolled edge leaves
with brown spots underneath, and clusters of
pinky-purple flowers that bloom from May to
August, then producing a bright red
berry.
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Classification
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Taste
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Balance
Yin/Yang
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Humor
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Uses/Applications
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Cranberry is an excellent
treatment for bladder problems, especially
cystitis.
Use to increase appetite, curb diarrhea,
and in the treatment of gout and
rheumatism.
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Combinations
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Alpine
Cranberry may be substituted for Bearberry,
just double the
dosage.
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Constituents
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Hippuric
Acid.
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Action
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Antiseptic, Astringent,
Diuretic,
Disinfectant.
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Food
Values
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Vitamin
C.
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Part
Used
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Leaves,
Berries.
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Collection
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Gather
the leaves after the berries are
ripe.
Gather the berries when they are
ripe.
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Preparation
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Capsules
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Take 1
capsule three times per day as a preventative
for bladder problems.
Take 2 - 3 capsules as required, with
plenty of fluids, for acute
cystitis.
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Cold
Extract:
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Use 1
Tbsp. of leaves with a 1/2 cup of
water.
Let stand 10
minutes.
Take three times per
day.
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Decoction:
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Place 1
heaping Tsp. of dried leaves into 1/2 cup
water.
Take un-sweetened, a mouthful at a
time.
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Infusion:
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Pour a
cup of boiling water onto 1 Tbsp of
herb.
Infuse for 10
minutes.
Take three times per
day.
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Growing
Directions
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Cranberry is very difficult
to grow as it requires wet, boggy, acidic
soil.
Check with your local nursery to see if
it can be grown in your
area.
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History
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Cranberry’s were eaten for
their tangy, refreshing taste long before their
medicinal value was
recognized.
In 1621 they were served at the first
Thanksgiving dinner, however they did not
become a tradition until after the Civil
War.
Cranberries also become popular among
sailors because those that ate them did not
develop scurvy.
Its use medicinally was as a paste that
was used on boils.
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Additional
Information
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1.
Research shows Cranberry to be natures
best weapon against cystitis and urinary
infections.
In fact it is listed as an effective
treatment in the US
Pharmacopoeia.
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Cautions
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None
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Magick
Information
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No
magical value.
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