Sarandrea Vaccinium Vitis / idaea Glycerine macerate CRANBERRY Family: Ericaceae Species: Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. Habitat: Mountain forests of the Alps and the central-northern Apennines. Part used: Leafy sprigs with fruits / young jets. Harvest period: In spring the young jets, leaves and fruits at advanced summer. Small evergreen shrub with creeping rhizome, woody stems, cylindrical or not very angular, upright or ascending, generally not very branched. Height 10 ? 30 cm. The pendulous flowers are often in groups of 2 to 6, have a corolla campanulata 5 ? 8 mm, white sometimes mottled with red. The fruits are first whitish berries, then bright red, forming small lateral bunches. The pulp is bitter, slightly floury, full of tiny seeds. The leaves are very similar to those of the bearberry but glandular and slightly smaller. In addition to the bearberry, the cranberry can be confused with Polygala chamaebuxus. Curiosity The name of the genus \"vaccinium\" has the same origin as the blueberry while the specific name, \"vitis-idaea\", means \"vine of Mount Ida\", \"sacred mountain\" on the island of Crete, where he saw the light Zeus and justifies the other common names such as: mountain grape, idea vine, vineyard. The American species called \"Cranberry\" (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is widely used to make jams and its juice is a particularly effective remedy against cystitis both at a preventive and curative level. Active principles: Arbutin and hydroquinone (up to 9%), flavonoids (iperoside, isoquercitrine), ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, catechic and pyrogallic tannins, organic acids. Internal use (Hydroalcoholic solution of leaves and berries) Disinfecting properties of the urinary tract, hypoglycemic and astringent Indications : cystitis, urethritis, renal lithiasis, pyelonephritis, mild forms of diabetes. Dosage : 40 drops in a little water three times a day away from meals. Synergistic drugs: ASPARAGUS, CORBEZZOLO, ESCOLZIA, BLACK JELLY, GRAMIGNA, RASPBERRY, PILOSELLA, UVA URSINA. tisane Decoction of 1-2% dried leaves and berries to boil for 10 minutes. Internal use (Gemmoderivato of young jets) The preparations from meristematic tissues perform regulatory activities of the intestinal functions, anti-inflammatory of the urinary tract, against atherosclerosis, especially against the microcirculation. Indications : disorders of the alve with symptoms of constipation or diarrhea, irritable colon, colibacillosis, urethritis, cystitis, arteriosclerosis, diabetic microangiopathy. Dosage : 40 drops in a little water twice a day away from meals. The gemmoderivato can be associated with other gemmotherapici like Rubus idaeus (estrogen-deficient menopause), Quercus pedunculata (chronic constipation), Calluna vulgaris (cystitis relapse), etc. Warnings and side effects: not reported.