Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) has been traditionally used in Scandinavian and Russian folk medicine to support urinary tract health, including the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The use of lingonberry for this purpose is primarily based on historical and ethnobotanical practices, where both the berries and leaves were consumed as food or prepared as infusions and teas. Lingonberry contains polyphenols and organic acids, which are believed to provide some antimicrobial properties. Some small clinical studies have explored the use of lingonberry juice, often in combination with cranberry juice, in reducing the recurrence of UTIs, particularly in women. For example, a Finnish study published in 2001 found that women who consumed a cranberry-lingonberry juice had fewer recurrences of UTIs compared to a control group. However, these studies are limited in size and design, and lingonberry’s independent effect, separate from cranberry, remains unclear. Overall, while there is some emerging scientific interest, robust clinical evidence is lacking, and most support for lingonberry’s use in UTIs is rooted in traditional use. Therefore, the evidence rating is 2, reflecting limited but suggestive data, mainly from traditional practices and a few preliminary studies. More high-quality, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm lingonberry’s efficacy for urinary tract health.

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