Lingonberry: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Mount Ida lingonberry
Scientific name(s)
Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Anthocyanosides
Arbutin
Potassium
Magnesium
Vitamin C
Flavonoids
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Urinary tract infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Lingonberry is effective in cystitis due to its antibacterial and diuretic effects. In a clinical study, girls (aged 3 to 14) taking 50 mL of cranberry juice daily for 6 months were less likely to have a new urinary tract infection in cases of recurrent urinary tract infections.
Posologie
Oral: leaf, fruit, buds
50 mL
6 months
gemmotherapy, mother tincture, juice
Menopause ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditionally recommended for menopausal women, probably for its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. It is believed to contain phytohormones.
Posologie
Oral use: leaf, buds
15 - 50 drops
Gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Uterine fibroids ✪✪✪✪✪
In gemmotherapy, lingonberry helps prevent cell proliferation phenomena, such as uterine fibroids. It is also recommended for thyroid adenoma.
Posologie
Oral use: leaf, buds
15 - 50 drops
Gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Kidney stones ✪✪✪✪✪
Lingonberry lowers uric acid, thereby reducing the risk of forming kidney stones.
Posologie
Oral use: leaf, buds
15 - 50 drops
Gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Osteoporosis ✪✪✪✪✪
Lingonberry improves intestinal calcium absorption, which helps strengthen bones and fight osteoporosis.
Posologie
Oral use: leaf, buds
15 - 50 drops
Gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Constipation ✪✪✪✪✪
Lingonberry appears to regulate intestinal transit. It is recommended for spastic colitis as well as chronic constipation.
Posologie
Oral use: leaf, buds
15 - 50 drops
Gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Vascular disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Lingonberry contributes to preventing degeneration of arterial walls.
Posologie
Oral use: leaf, buds
15 - 50 drops
gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases ✪✪✪✪✪
Lingonberry may regulate intestinal transit. It is recommended for spastic colitis as well as chronic constipation.
Posologie
Oral use: leaf, buds
15 - 50 drops
gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Properties
Diuretic
The leaves of the lingonberry have properties similar to those of blueberry leaves, acting as diuretics and urinary antiseptics; these properties are associated with their high content of arbutin, arbutin derivatives, and tannins.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
In various in vitro studies, lingonberry has shown antioxidant activity. It appears that the total phenolic level in the berries and leaves is correlated with their antioxidant activity. These phenolic compounds appear to effectively inhibit the oxidation of lipids and proteins. Recent studies emphasize that leaf extracts possess significant reducing and radical-scavenging properties and could be considered a promising source of bioactive compounds with notable antioxidant activity.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
In vivo, in acute and chronic respiratory tract infections, arbutin and fraxin extracted from lingonberry have shown anti-inflammatory, antitussive and expectorant effects. Also, lingonberry has shown strong inhibition of platelet-activating factor in vitro.
Usages associés
Antibacterial
Phenolic compounds isolated from lingonberry leaves have strong antimicrobial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults aged 18 and over:
5 to 15 drops of concentrated macerate per day, diluted in water.
Precautions
Hormone-sensitive disease: avoid
Not recommended in cases of hormone-dependent conditions because lingonberry is estrogen-like.
Pregnant women: avoid
The lingonberry bud macerate is allowed for the whole family, except for babies under 3 years and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
The lingonberry bud macerate is allowed for the whole family, except for babies under 3 years and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Children up to 12 years: avoid
The lingonberry bud macerate is allowed for the whole family, except for babies under 3 years and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Furthermore, it is probably dangerous when used orally in children under 12 years over the long term. Red lingonberry may be hepatotoxic.
