Carolina College of Natural Health Sciences

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AYURVEDIC FOODS

Cranberry Benefits (Ayurveda Insights)


How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CONSTITUTIONAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS

Recipes with Cranberry: Wild Rice with Cranberry & Almonds
Recipes with Cranberry: Wild Rice with Cranberry & Almonds

Too Tired After Turkey?

When you've overdosed on tryptophan (the chemical in turkey that makes you sleepy), the sour tart taste of cranberries refreshes your mind and stimulates your palate with a gush of saliva and juiciness. From saliva to the skin, from your liver to your GI tract, sour taste floods all your glands with juiciness. That makes sour taste a useful aid in protein digestion - and cranberries an indispensable accompaniment to your Thanksgiving meal.

Digesting Fats for the Holidays

Sour taste increases bile production and purgation from the liver, improving fat digestion and metabolism. Bile functions to emulsify fats in the small intestine, helping your body manage an overload of rich Thanksgiving yumminess. It promotes good cholesterol.

Sour Detoxifies the Blood

By flushing bile, sour taste assists the liver in detoxifying the blood. You can experience this detoxification as relaxation and refreshment of the eyes. The eyes are the window to the liver and relax whenever toxic liver heat is released from the body. Cranberry is high in antioxidants which detoxifies free radicals. It is also rich in beta-carotene, a liver restorative and blood alterative.

Juicy or Dry?

If the roof of your mouth is rough and dry after drinking cranberry juice, you've experienced astringent taste, one of the six fundamental tastes in Ayurveda. Astringent taste tightens and tones tissues. It is cooling and reduces inflammation. However, astringency is also drying, and will aggravate people with persistent dryness.

Cranberries are an astringent fruit. Their astringency helps them balance the dampness of their natural habitat: the swampy cranberry bog. Despite the gush of saliva from their sourness, cranberries are a strong diuretic and ultimately dehydrating. They increase urine production and effectively flush the urinary tract. Cranberry is also useful in bladder infection due to antimicrobial phenolic compounds and because it acidifies the urine. Under these conditions, bacteria are unable to attach to the wall of the bladder.

Recipes with Cranberry: Butternut Squash Salad with Pine Nuts & Arugula
Recipes with Cranberry: Butternut Squash Salad with Pine Nuts & Arugula

Bile and the Bowels

Bile's oilyness and heat is a digestive lubricant and remedy for constipation that keeps stool soft, encouraging regular elimination of the bowels. Ironically, cranberry is useful for both diarrhea and constipation. It's astringency helps bind stools, and soothes inflammatory heat conditions in the digestive tract.
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About Cranberry

Cranberries grow in acidic bogs. Early settlers in North American thought cranberry flowers looked like a crane, and named them 'craneberry'. They are a major commercial crop in North America.

Cooking Cranberry

Cranberry sauce and juice are the most popular preparations. Cranberries are very tart and often diluted in water or sugar to improve palatability.

Buying & Preparation

Cranberries are traditional fruit for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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Is Cranberry a Good Match for My Body?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Cranberry' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Constitutional nutrition is tailored to the individual. In the kitchen, especially during your family’s formative years, you shape your family's lifelong health.

Understanding your child's constitution is key to raising resilience, instead of wiring in disease. Study constitutional medicine to discover the keys to personalized nourishment.

Rooted in the insights curated from Ayurveda and Greek medicine, constitutional medicine teaches you which foods match your body, so you and your family have true vitality, strength, and balance. See How it Works.

Medicinal Effects of Cranberry

Constitutional nutrition systems use biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic nature of food, herbs, lifestyle choices, your body, and disease.

METABOLIC NATURE / BIOCHARACTERISTICS

Metabolic Nature / Biocharacteristics

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (vital qualtiies). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

SOUR

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

AYURVEDA BODY TYPES (DOSHAS)

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Vata aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

Other Health Virtues

Red Blood

RED-BLOOD

Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.

SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Cranberry
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Constipative

CONSTIPATIVE

An herb that binds stools / stops diarrhea. When used in excess, these herbs and foods can cause constipation.

SEE ALL 'CONSTIPATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Improves Focus

IMPROVES-FOCUS

Reduces scattered thoughts. Creates a steady mind. Includes herbs that relax (for Vata) and herbs that stimulate (for Kapha).

SEE ALL 'IMPROVES-FOCUS' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

, Antihistamine,
Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS

Alterative

STRONG ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antioxidant

STRONG ANTIOXIDANT

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.

SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Refrigerant

STRONG REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Blood Thinner

BLOOD-THINNER

Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-THINNER' FOODS / HERBS

,
Blood Tonic

BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Styptic

STYPTIC

A herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used topically as a hemostatic to stop bleeding, or to reduce secretions.

SEE ALL 'STYPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

STRONG DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Livotonic

LIVOTONIC

An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Catechins

STRONG CATECHINS

Antioxidant that reduces cancer and blood clots, dilates blood vessels, and is antimicrobial.

SEE ALL 'CATECHINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Tannins,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flavonoids

FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.

SEE ALL 'FLAVONOIDS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Polyphenols

POLYPHENOLS

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.

SEE ALL 'POLYPHENOLS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Resveratrol

RESVERATROL

Antioxidant frequently used for anti-aging. Protects airways and blood vessels. Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic.

SEE ALL 'RESVERATROL' FOODS / HERBS

, Soluble Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin E

Foods with a Similar Nature to Cranberry

  • Blueberry

    Blueberry has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Antihistamine, Blood-tonic, Livotonic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antidepressant, Blood-thinner, Improves-focus, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cranberry Juice

    Cranberry Juice has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Blood-tonic, Hemostatic, Antimicrobial, Constipative, Livotonic, Alterative, Antioxidant, Diuretic, Styptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Apple (raw)

    Apple (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Styptic, Antidepressant, Constipative, Livotonic, Antihistamine, Hemostatic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Pomegranate

    Pomegranate has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Blood-tonic, Livotonic, Anti-inflammatory, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Styptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Hibiscus

    Hibiscus has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Blood-thinner, Hemostatic, Styptic, Anti-inflammatory, Constipative, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Leaves

    Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner, Livotonic, Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Cilantro

    Cilantro has these Actions in Common

    Blood-thinner, Immune-calming, Alterative, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Hemostatic, Styptic

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Blood-tonic, Alterative, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Watermelon

    Watermelon has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Antioxidant, Livotonic, Blood-tonic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Acai

    Acai has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Livotonic, Alterative, Antioxidant, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Improves-focus

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Cranberry

  • Neem Leaf

    Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Blood-thinner, Constipative, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Immune-calming, Livotonic, Alterative, Styptic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Blood-thinner, Diuretic, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Improves-focus, Lowers-blood-sugar, Refrigerant, Alterative, Styptic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Blood-tonic, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

  • Arjuna

    Arjuna has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Constipative, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, Styptic, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginkgo

    Ginkgo has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Blood-thinner, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antidepressant

    LEARN MORE

  • Bhringaraj

    Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common

    Immune-calming, Livotonic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Blood-tonic, Diuretic, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Blood-tonic, Constipative, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Antidepressant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashoka

    Ashoka has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-blood-sugar, Styptic, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Constipative, Diuretic, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Root

    Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Livotonic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Refrigerant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Hawthorne Berry & Flower

    Hawthorne Berry & Flower has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Immune-calming, Improves-focus, Anti-inflammatory, Antidepressant, Antioxidant, Blood-thinner

    LEARN MORE

  • Haritaki

    Haritaki has these Actions in Common

    Immune-calming, Styptic, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

how to use Cranberry Ayurvedically

Instructions For Use:

Fresh Cranberries (cooked or raw)

Unsweetened Cranberry Juice

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Cranberry may temper these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual and constitution. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Cranberry may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

Contraindications:

Kidney Stones: Cranberries are high in oxalates, which can contribute to kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals. People with a history of calcium oxalate stones should use caution or limit intake.

Blood Thinners / Anticoagulants: Cranberries may potentiate the effect of warfarin (Coumadin) and other anticoagulants causing an increased risk of bleeding.

Diabetes / High Sugar Forms: Cranberry juice cocktail or sweetened dried cranberries have high sugar content. Caution in people with diabetes or insulin resistance. Favor unsweetened juice, fresh, or powdered forms for medicinal use.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Cranberry. Please see your health care provider for more information.

View other ingredients
for Autumn-Winter

Cranberry is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter foods here.
VIEW ALL AUTUMN-WINTER FOODS MORE FOODS FOR PITTA / KAPHA MAIN INGREDIENT PAGE

Constitutional Nutrition: Strengthen Your Health Naturally

When your dietary choices align with your individual nature (constitution), it supports your metabolism, energy, and health naturally. A personalized diet, fitting to your constitution, leverages your natural strengths while gently supporting your body where it's vulnerable.

Constitutional nutrition is especially beneficial for digestion, a foundational pillar of health influencing your entire well-being. Balanced digestion fortifies your body's natural defenses against illness and enhances your resilience when illness does arise. A healthy digestive fire (*agni*) eases discomfort, speeds recovery, and naturally uplifts your mood.

By embracing constitutional nutrition, you will soon experience a profound sense of renewal, vitality, and inner strength.

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle through constitutional nutrition (Ayurveda & Greek Medicine). His approach is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 8 kids live in Asheville, NC

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