Lingonberry

Other Names

airelleairelle à fruits rougesairelle à pomme de terreairelle d'Idaairelle rougeairelle vigne d'Idaairelle vigne du Mont Idaalpine cranberryarándano europeobeaverberrybrusnikacougarberrycowberrydry ground cranberryfoxberryHongdoulingberrylingenlingenberrylingonlowbush cranberrymoss cranberrymountain cranberrypartridgeberryPreiselbeerepuolukkarauðberjalyngred bilberryred whortleberryredberriesrock cranberryrode bosbesshore cranberrytyttebærVaccinium vitis-idaeaVaccinium vitis-idaea L.Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minusVaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. vitis-idaeavine of Mount IdaXiaopingguoXiongguoyeYageda

Synopsis

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.)

1. Identity, Botanical Description, and Natural Source

Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. is a small evergreen shrub belonging to the heath family, Ericaceae. It is known colloquially as the lingonberry, partridgeberry, foxberry, mountain cranberry, or cowberry, and is native to boreal forest and Arctic tundra throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

The name "lingonberry" originates from the Swedish name lingon, deriving from Old Norse lyngr. The genus name Vaccinium is a classical Latin name for a plant, possibly the bilberry or hyacinth, and may be derived from the Latin bacca, meaning "berry." The specific epithet vitis-idaea is derived from Latin vitis ("vine") and idaea, the feminine form of idaeus, literally "from Mount Ida."

The lingonberry is a small perennial subshrub with small white or pink flowers that ripen into red berries. It grows from fibrous roots; the stems are horizontal at the ground, branching extensively, often forming a mat. The aerial stems are erect and can be 10–30 cm tall. The evergreen leaves are alternately distributed along the stems, attached via 1–1.5 mm long petioles.

There are two regional varieties or subspecies of V. vitis-idaea — one in Eurasia (V. vitis-idaea var. vitis-idaea L., the cowberry) and one in North America (V. vitis-idaea var. minus Lodd., the lingonberry), differing primarily in leaf size.

The plant grows in slightly acidic, rocky barrens, arctic tundra, edges of bogs and boreal forests in northern areas of North America, Europe, and Asia (zones 3–7), and is occasionally found along coastlines at the edges of mixed woods and on ledges.

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) is widely distributed in Nordic Eurasia and possesses the morphological characteristics of a perennial evergreen dwarf shrub. The plant keeps its leaves all winter even in the coldest years — unusual for a broad-leaved plant — though in its natural habitat it is usually protected from severe cold by snow cover.

Common Forms and Preparations

The berries can be sold fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. Lingonberries and other berries are consumed in processed forms as jam, juice (canned and frozen), syrup, and sauce after heat-processing techniques, which can decrease their antioxidant activity by one-third; thus, an excellent alternative could be dried berries. In pharmaceutical and supplement contexts, the fruit and leaves are both used. The leaves and berries are used to make medicine. The leaves, sometimes brewed into teas, served as a remedy for rheumatic pain, digestive discomfort, and as a mild diuretic. Fermented lingonberry juice (FLJ) has been specifically developed for oral health applications and studied in clinical trials. Fermented lingonberry juice was designed to be used as a topical mouthwash.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Historically, lingonberries have been an integral part of Nordic culture for centuries. Native populations in Scandinavia and parts of North America have relied on these berries as a food source, utilizing them in various culinary preparations and traditional remedies.

Lingonberries have been a staple in Scandinavian cuisine for centuries. They were an essential part of the diet for indigenous peoples and early settlers, who relied on the nutrient-rich berries to survive harsh winters. The berries were often preserved through various methods, such as drying or making jams and syrups, to ensure a steady supply of vitamins and minerals throughout the year.

The use of lingonberries in the North has a long history. Thanks to their benzoic acid content, puréed autumn-picked lingonberries will keep in a cool place without any preservatives until the following spring, and this preservation quality has played an important role in Finnish food culture.

Regional culinary traditions vary across Scandinavia. In Sweden, lingonberry jam is almost a national symbol, often served with köttbullar (meatballs), raggmunk (potato pancakes), or even porridge. In Norway, known as tyttebær, lingonberries are cherished in both sweet and savory dishes, such as sauces for venison. In Finland, called puolukka, they feature in baked goods and the classic puolukkasurvos — mashed lingonberries with sugar. In Iceland, they are treasured when found, often preserved or used in sweets. In Finland, lingonberries are paired with sautéed reindeer, and in Russia, they are used to make lingonberry water, a preserved drink.

Historically, vattlingon (lingonberry water) was both a drink and a scurvy remedy.

Traditional Medicinal Use

In traditional medicine, V. vitis-idaea was used as an apéritif and astringent. The Upper Tanana people ate the berries or used their juice to treat minor respiratory disorders. The Tanana Athabaskans used the berries as a cold remedy or cough medicine, and the Gwich'in used them to treat kidney problems. The leaves can be used to make tea, which has been used for cough relief.

The Nihithawak Cree used the berries to color porcupine quills and the Western Canadian Inuit used the minus subspecies as a tobacco additive or substitute.

Folk remedies often employed lingonberry infusions to help prevent and alleviate urinary tract infections, kidney issues, and bladder disorders. In Russian folk medicine, lingonberry water was used as a mild laxative. The berry's role extends beyond food; it has been used in traditional medicine for respiratory disorders and as a mild laxative.

Vaccinium vitis-idaea has been identified among species used by the Cree of Eeyou Istchee of northern Quebec to treat symptoms of diabetes.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Phenolic Acids and Chlorogenic Acids

Lingonberries contain high contents of bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acids and anthocyanins. Phenolic compound characterization by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analyses revealed phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid (m/z 353) and flavonols as the most abundant phenolic compounds. Anthocyanins, flavanols, and benzoic acid derivatives are equally present in fruits.

Anthocyanins

From the first to the last stage of berry development, anthocyanins go from being nearly absent to 100 mg/100 g fresh weight, accompanied by an increased content of sugars from 2.7 to 7.2 g/100 g fresh weight. Lingonberry samples from Norway and Finland exhibited the highest total anthocyanin content in both 2019 and 2020 harvests, ranging from 41.7 to 57.0 mg/100 g in fresh weight. The primary anthocyanins identified include cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, which is among the principal chemical markers found in high abundance in various parts of the plant.

Proanthocyanidins (Condensed Tannins)

Average proanthocyanidin content in wild Northern European lingonberries ranged from 141.3 to 268.6 mg/100 g fresh weight, with significant annual variation observed. Lingonberries contain more dimeric and trimeric proanthocyanidins of type A than cranberry (V. oxycoccus, the European variety) or V. macrocarpon (the North American variety). These A-type proanthocyanidins are thought to be the most important inhibitors of bacterial adhesion. Polymeric and mainly A-type dimeric proanthocyanidins, together with quercetin, can be considered anticancer and antioxidant activity markers of lingonberries.

Flavonols

Scientific studies demonstrate that hyperoside, avicularin, quercitrin, and astragalin can be detected in lingonberry leaves, as well as quercetin aglycone, rutin, and 3-O-glycosides of quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol. The contents of flavonols, cinnamic acid derivatives, flavan-3-ols, and total phenolic compounds are significantly lower in fully ripe berries compared to berries in the early green stage.

Arbutin

Arbutin has been reported to be a major phenolic constituent of lingonberry leaves. HPLC–PDA analysis of arbutin content in lingonberry leaves has yielded results of 5168 ± 480 µg/g dry weight in one cultivar. Arbutin represents 31–50% of the phenolic pool in lingonberry leaf. Lingonberry leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for bearberry (uva ursi) leaves. Lingonberry has chemicals that might help kill bacteria in the urine.

Triterpenoids

The main lingonberry triterpenoid profile, identified by GC–MS/FID, consists of α-amyrin, β-amyrin, betulin, campesterol, cycloartanol, erythrodiol, fern-7-en-3β-ol, friedelin, lupeol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, stigmasta-3,5-dien-7-one, swert-9(11)-en-3β-ol, taraxasterol, urs-12-en-29-al, uvaol, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid.

Resveratrol

Lingonberry fruit is enriched in anthocyanin, proanthocyanin, and resveratrol. Research results suggest proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, and kaempferol as active constituents that may be responsible for the positive anti-inflammatory effects of lingonberry supplementation in obesity models.

Other Notable Compounds

Among principal chemical markers for their high abundance are (+)-catechin, arbutin, benzoic acid, citric acid, and astragalin. Lingonberries are naturally high in benzoic acid, which acts as a natural preservative, allowing them to be stored for extended periods without refrigeration when prepared properly.

Geographic Variation in Composition

The accumulation of plant secondary metabolites is extremely dependent on climate and other environmental conditions. Results from Northern European studies indicated a geomorphological influence on the biochemical and physicochemical composition of wild Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.

4. Established Mechanisms of Action

Antioxidant Activity

Lingonberry extracts, obtained by the extraction and concentration of phenolic compounds from fruits, showed high antioxidant activities against ROS (peroxyl, hydroxyl, oxygen radicals) and more specific radicals used in the DPPH and ORAC assays. No correlation was observed between total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity, suggesting that other phenolic compounds significantly contribute to the berries' antioxidant properties, while anthocyanins' impact on these properties may be minimal.

Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms

Lingonberries' crude extract and its proanthocyanidins-rich phenolic fraction showed protective effects against LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages through the reduction of nitric oxide (NO) production and COX-2, iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions. Proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, and kaempferol are proposed as active constituents responsible for the positive anti-inflammatory effects of lingonberry supplementation observed in obesity models.

Anti-diabetic / Metabolic Mechanisms

The ethanol extract of berries of V. vitis-idaea has been shown to enhance glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells via stimulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. In animal studies, the plant extract significantly decreased glycemia and strongly tended to decrease insulin levels, correlated with a significant increase in GLUT4 content and activation of the AMPK and Akt pathways in skeletal muscle. Lingonberry was found to strongly inhibit pancreatic lipase activity, and α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity were also inhibited by lingonberry fruit with IC50 values of 102.68 mg/mL and 32.71 mg/mL, respectively.

Antimicrobial Mechanisms

Lingonberry proanthocyanidins, including procyanidin B-1, B-3, proanthocyanidin A-1, cinnamtannin B1, epicatechin, and catechin, showed antimicrobial activity against selected periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. Epicatechin-(4bU8)-epicatechin-(4bU8, 2bUOU7)-catechin had the strongest antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis and P. intermedia, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 25 µg/mL. A lingonberry polyphenol-rich fraction at 0.5–1 mg/mL significantly reduced biofilm formation by oral streptococci Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Streptococcus sanguinis, and also reduced the bioactivity of S. mutans at 1–2 mg/mL.

Gut Microbiota Modulation

Lingonberry diet prevented high-fat diet-induced low-grade inflammation and endotoxemia and altered gut microbiota composition. Phylum-level analysis showed that lingonberry supplementation significantly increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and decreased Firmicutes. The genus Akkermansia increased considerably in lingonberry groups. The jejunal gene expression analysis revealed decreased expression of LPS-sensing toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and macrophage marker EMR1, and increased expression of tight-junction protein-encoding occludin gene.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Research suggests that drinking 50 mL of a beverage containing cranberry and lingonberry daily for 6 months can reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in women and the number of UTIs in girls aged 3–12 years.

There is no clinical evidence of the effects of lingonberry alone in the prevention of urinary tract infection, but lingonberries contain more dimeric and trimeric proanthocyanidins of type A than cranberry (V. oxycoccus, the European variety) or V. macrocarpon (the North American variety). In vitro studies indicate potential antimicrobial effects, supporting the traditional use for urinary tract health, but clinical research in humans remains limited.

Evidence strength: The principal human trial used a cranberry-lingonberry combination product, making it impossible to isolate the contribution of lingonberry alone. No standalone randomized controlled trials for lingonberry in UTI prevention have been published. Evidence is preliminary and largely based on in vitro and the mechanistic rationale from A-type proanthocyanidin content.

5.2 Oral Health

A clinical study of 30 adult participants examined the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of fermented lingonberry juice (FLJ) used as a mouthwash. Twenty participants used 10 mL of the mouthwash twice daily for two weeks, and 10 participants used 20 mL twice daily for one week, with sampling for Streptococcus mutans, Candida, and lactobacilli at baseline, after the mouthwash period, and after a washout period. Mean S. mutans and Candida counts, visible plaque index, and bleeding on probing were reduced, and lactobacilli counts increased during the lingonberry mouthwash period, with effects fading during washout.

A 1-year prospective human intervention study was performed to examine the anticaries, anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, and antimicrobial effects of FLJ used as a mouthwash for a period of 6 months, followed by a 6-month washout period, in 25 adults recruited from private dental clinics in Helsinki and Joensuu, Finland. FLJ did not inhibit the growth of lactobacilli in vitro or in vivo, and none of the participants in the current or previous studies reported any side effects.

FLJ has been shown in clinical human trials to promote the growth of oral lactobacilli, and inhibit the growth of the opportunistic oral pathogens Candida, Streptococcus mutans, and periodontopathogens, and decrease inflammation, oral destructive proteolysis (aMMP-8), and dental microbial plaque load.

Evidence strength: There is positive evidence from small-scale human clinical trials for fermented lingonberry juice in oral health outcomes (plaque, bleeding on probing, microbial composition). However, trials are small, single-center, and open-label, limiting generalizability. Further blinded, controlled studies are warranted.

5.3 Metabolic Health, Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes

In vivo animal studies have shown that lingonberry prevents obesity and metabolic abnormalities associated with type 2 diabetes. Mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and supplemented with lingonberry extract (20%) for 13 weeks had lower fasting insulin levels and gained less weight than the control group.

Lingonberry supplementation prevented the effect of HF diet on 263 genes associated with lipid and glucose metabolic processes, inflammatory/immune response, and cell cycle regulation. The results suggest that lingonberry supplementation prevents HF diet-induced adverse changes in the liver predisposing to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and findings encourage human intervention trials to be carried out.

Dietary supplementation with berries — including lingonberry — significantly improved postprandial insulin responses, blunting postprandial insulin and glucose responses in metabolically healthy adults, based on a review of human feeding trials.

While preliminary findings are promising, clinical research in humans remains limited. Small pilot studies have shown positive effects on blood pressure and markers of metabolic health, but larger, well-controlled trials are needed to confirm these benefits.

Evidence strength: Predominantly animal and in vitro data. A small number of human trials included lingonberry as part of multi-berry interventions. No large, standalone randomized controlled trial in humans has demonstrated metabolic benefits from lingonberry specifically. Evidence is preliminary.

5.4 Anti-inflammatory Effects

Many studies have shown various beneficial effects of lingonberries, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Lingonberries have been shown to prevent low-grade inflammation and diet-induced obesity in diabetic animals.

Research results suggest proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, and kaempferol as active constituents that may be responsible for the positive anti-inflammatory effects of lingonberry supplementation in obesity models, and these data encourage further studies to support the use of lingonberry and lingonberry-based products as a part of a healthy diet.

Evidence strength: Anti-inflammatory effects have been demonstrated in cell culture and animal models. The underlying mechanisms are plausible and well-characterized in vitro. Direct human clinical evidence for anti-inflammatory outcomes from lingonberry supplementation is limited.

5.5 Antioxidant Activity (Human Studies)

Especially in Scandinavia, lingonberries are traditionally used as bioactive foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants. In addition to radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, the bioactive compounds can protect cells from DNA damage. Lingonberry supplementation significantly increased erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Lingonberry extract at the highest dose greatly stimulated hepatic glutathione reductase activity by 50%. Uric acid plasma concentrations were lower in groups fed HFD containing lingonberry extract, suggesting a beneficial effect on oxidative stress.

Evidence strength: Strong evidence from in vitro and animal models; human bioavailability data and clinical antioxidant outcomes are limited and require further study.

5.6 Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Health

Lingonberry diet prevented HFD-induced low-grade inflammation and endotoxemia and altered gut microbiota composition, with phylum-level analysis showing a significant increase in Bacteroidetes and decrease in Firmicutes, and a considerable increase in the genus Akkermansia in lingonberry-supplemented groups.

FLJ has been shown in clinical human trials to promote the growth of oral lactobacilli and inhibit the growth of opportunistic oral pathogens. Lactobacilli are considered beneficial for gut health, and since FLJ may be swallowed safely, it might also be beneficial for the gut mucosa by balancing the microbiota and reducing proteolytic inflammation.

Evidence strength: Gut microbiota modulation evidence comes primarily from animal models. The oral-gut axis hypothesis is scientifically plausible but direct human intervention data for gut health outcomes from ingested lingonberry products are lacking.

5.7 Anticancer / Antiproliferative Properties

Fractions of lingonberry leaves and fruits proved to be the most active against tested cancer cell lines and possessed the greatest antioxidant activity. Polymeric and mainly A-type dimeric proanthocyanidins and quercetin can be considered the anticancer and antioxidant activity markers of lingonberries.

Lingonberry's bioactive substances have a diverse range of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, anticancer, and antioxidant properties.

Evidence strength: Entirely in vitro and computational (molecular docking) at present. There are no human clinical trials evaluating lingonberry for cancer prevention or treatment. Any antiproliferative or anticancer claims remain highly preliminary and limited to cell-culture models.

5.8 Overall Assessment of Human Clinical Evidence

A 2024 review published in Microorganisms concluded that lingonberry's bioactive substances have a diverse range of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, anticancer, and antioxidant properties, and that fermentation of lingonberries modulates the dysbiotic microbiome towards a more symbiotic composition. The review explicitly stated that more studies on humans are needed.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated with Lingonberry

Urinary system: Well known for health-protective properties and potential use in the treatment of urinary tract infections and chronic diseases associated with free radical damage.
Oral/dental health: Lingonberries are known to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects; clinical human trials have shown benefits of FLJ on salivary parameters and reducing xerostomia, and potential inhibition of plaque levels, bleeding on probing, and inflammation in dental implants.
Metabolic/endocrine system: Lingonberries are classed as "superfruits" with the highest content of antioxidants among berries and a broad range of health-promoting effects.
Cardiovascular system: Cardiovascular health research indicates lingonberries may support heart health through multiple mechanisms. Their polyphenol content may help reduce inflammation in blood vessels, while their potassium and fiber content support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Gastrointestinal/gut microbiome: Lingonberries contain multiple bioactive molecules, phenolics, which have a broad spectrum of effects, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proteolytic, and anti-cancer properties relevant to gut health.
Immune / anti-inflammatory: The proanthocyanidins-rich phenolic fraction reduces NO production and COX-2, iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in macrophage models.

7. Dosage Forms and Dosages Reported in Studies

Note: Dosages below are reported exactly as described in the cited sources and do not constitute recommendations.

Cranberry-lingonberry juice combination (UTI prevention): 50 mL of a beverage containing cranberry and lingonberry daily for 6 months, used in clinical research in women with a history of UTIs and in girls aged 3–12 years.
Fermented lingonberry juice mouthwash (oral health): In one clinical study, 20 patients used 10 mL of FLJ twice daily for 2 weeks, and 10 patients with higher plaque levels used 20 mL twice daily for 7 days, as a mouthwash for 30 seconds. The results showed similar antimicrobial effects in both groups.
Lingonberry extract (animal model, antidiabetic): In obese, insulin-resistant mice fed a high-fat diet, V. vitis-idaea extract was added to HFD at 3 different concentrations (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) for 8 weeks.
Lingonberry powder (animal model, metabolic/hepatic): In a mouse model, mice were fed high-fat diet supplemented with air-dried lingonberry powder at 20% w/w for 6 weeks.
Lingonberry extract (animal model, antioxidant): Mice fed HFD and supplemented with lingonberry extract at 20% for 13 weeks had lower fasting insulin levels and gained less weight than the control group.

No standardized human dosage for lingonberry as a standalone supplement has been established in the peer-reviewed literature. Lingonberry is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, gout, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

8. Safety Considerations and Interactions

Fruit (Berries)

Lingonberry concentrate is possibly safe for children when taken by mouth appropriately. A drink containing cranberry and lingonberry concentrate has been used safely for up to 6 months.

Leaves

It is considered likely unsafe to use lingonberry leaves long-term. There is a concern that the chemicals in lingonberry that can kill bacteria in the urine can also cause liver damage and cancer. This safety concern is related to the arbutin content of the leaves and its conversion to hydroquinone. Some herbal agents containing hydroquinone derivatives like arbutin may pose a risk of hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity if used in excessive or prolonged doses.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

It is considered likely unsafe to use lingonberry during pregnancy, as it contains chemicals that might cause genetic changes and harm to the fetus.

Liver Disease

There are chemicals in lingonberry that might make liver disease worse.

Bioavailability and Digestion

The ability of foods and their bioactive compounds to exert a beneficial health effect depends on their bioavailability to target tissue or organs. In in vivo conditions, plant foods undergo gastrointestinal digestion, which may cause a change or reduction in the bioactive compound content.

Mouthwash (Fermented Lingonberry Juice)

FLJ does not inhibit the growth of lactobacilli in vitro or in vivo, and none of the participants in current and previous studies reported any side effects.

General Notes

Lingonberry leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for bearberry (uva ursi) leaves. Given the arbutin content shared between these plants, cautions applicable to uva ursi preparations — particularly regarding long-term use and liver effects — are considered relevant to lingonberry leaf preparations as well. In diabetic patients, interactions with hypoglycemic medications should be considered in the context of plant preparations rich in polyphenols that modulate glucose metabolism.

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that Lingonberry may help support.

Dry MouthScientific
Fermented lingonberry juice (FLJ) has been identified in a 2025 Inflammopharmacology peer-reviewed review as a natural agent that enhances salivary pH and stimulates salivation, positioning it as a candidate therapeutic for xerostomia management. Lingonberry's organic acids and polyphenols are proposed to activate gustatory receptors and support salivary gland function.

Body Systems

Body systems that Lingonberry may help support.

No body systems available.