Healing Cranberries

Cranberries are well known for their profound antiseptic role in healing urinary tract infections and yeast infections. That power comes from cranberries’ ability to fight Streptococcus bacteria—because most of the time, chronic strep infections are behind these conditions. (Even though in yeast infections, the origin of the problem is misdiagnosed as fungal, really, the yeast is secondary.) And that’s the least of what these powerful little berries do. Out of all the foods on the table at Thanksgiving, that dish of cranberries is by far the most nutritious. Even if your cranberry sauce is canned and saturated with syrup, the medicinal factor of the cranberries overrides the downsides of the added ingredients. 

Cranberries are one of the ultimate foods for reversing gallbladder disease. If you’re dealing with gallstones, there’s nothing more powerful for dissolving them. Cranberries are also one of the most powerful liver cleansers on earth, and they’re extremely helpful when you’re trying to pass kidney stones with ease. They can even dislodge earwax buildup and help bring back hearing. 

Not to mention, cranberries are high in the antioxidants (such as anthocyanins) that help heal cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerosis. They also hold phytoestrogen compounds that disarm invading estrogens from outside sources such as plastics, environmental pollutants, pesticides, and other synthetic chemicals. Cranberries destroy these toxic hormones that are responsible for so many of women’s health conditions.

Filled with compounds and agents that draw radiation out of your body, amino acids that protect connective tissue, enzymes that specifically detoxify your organs, and more than 50 trace minerals to address deficiencies you may not even know you have, cranberries also have anti-proliferative compounds that help halt the growth of bacteria, viruses, and anything else harmful that may be growing inside of you. At the same time, cranberries provide potent stress assistance during your times of need. 

And if you’re trying to lose weight, cranberries are another of your strongest allies. Consuming a bowl of cranberries daily will suppress your appetite and help you shed those extra pounds. 

CONDITIONS 

If you have any of the following conditions, try bringing cranberries into your life: 

Seasonal allergies, migraines, hiatal hernia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hypertension, cervical cancer, yeast infections, carpal tunnel syndrome, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, miscarriage, leukemia, ovarian cancer, Streptococcus infection, bladder infections, obesity, pneumonia (all varieties), conjunctivitis, renal failure, staph infections, gallbladder disease, gallstones, kidney infections, kidney stones, anemia, anxiety, shingles, diabetes, gout, HHV-6, cytomegalovirus (CMV), nodules, Lyme disease 

SYMPTOMS 

If you have any of the following symptoms, try bringing cranberries into your life: 

Memory loss, muscle cramps, nail biting, hypothyroid, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, weight gain, bloating, flatulence, dyspepsia, jaundice, mania, confusion, intermittent vaginal bleeding, tremors, hearing loss, calcifications, bruising, cravings, dizzy spells, earwax buildup, blisters, hyperthyroid, inflammation, blurred vision, anxiousness, foot pain, scar tissue 

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT 

Cranberries promote a cheery disposition. Whenever you’re feeling foggy on an emotional level— unclear about what decisions to make, confused about your direction in life—eating cranberries can light your path. When disorganization flusters you, colors how others see you, and impedes the way, cranberries (which grow in a very orderly fashion) can help you sort matters out and move on. 

Cranberries also help when neurons and receptors are stuck in a pattern of criticism. Whether you’re criticizing others too much or on the receiving end of reproach, cranberries will help. Regular consumption of cranberries can relieve feelings of rejection and humiliation. And if you’re ever experiencing a sense of alienation, cranberries can help you change course and get reconnected with community. 

SPIRITUAL LESSON 

As we settle into adult life, we learn that it isn’t always safe to come out and play. Sometimes responsibility requires our full attention and seriousness—or we’re in company that will take advantage of us if we open up and expose our true selves. In much the same way, the cranberry vine has an instinct to stay low to the ground, protecting itself from cold and windy conditions. It can be difficult to even see the small red berries when it’s in this self-shielding mode. 

Sometimes we get stuck in this mentality, afraid that taking a moment for delight makes us vulnerable and means we aren’t working hard enough. Yet growing up doesn’t mean that we’re supposed to suppress our joy all the time. Joy is essential to who we are. Just as the cranberry plant takes advantage of the right warm and sunny moments during ripening season to perk up, play in the wind, and dazzle in the light, we can learn to recognize moments that are safe for us to express our true vitality, essence, and glory. We do get our days to stand up and shine, to dance in the sun. It’s just a matter of balance—and there’s no better teacher on the subject than the cranberry. 

TIPS 

* Frozen cranberries can be a great way to get your hands on this fruit. Try cooking them into your oatmeal or incorporating them into smoothies. 


* If you’re not making your own fresh cranberry juice, look for juice that’s made 100 percent from cranberries—with no added sugars, preservatives, or other additives. 


* If you don’t like the tart nature of cranberries, eat them with a handful of walnuts. 


* If you really dislike cranberries, it doesn’t mean they can’t help you. Weekly, set out a bowl of cranberries in your house. Just having them out on the kitchen counter to look at will help you (and anyone else passing through) reap their emotional benefits as the berries’ properties enter into you metaphysically. And if you take a moment each day to touch the cranberries, running your fingers over them or resting a few in your palm, you’ll also receive the fruit’s physical benefits. 


RAW CRANBERRY RELISH 



When you think of cranberries, you may envision a gelatinous blob on the table at Thanksgiving dinner. This raw cranberry relish is anything but boring. The fresh cranberries are chopped with bits of apple, orange, and coconut sugar that offset the cranberries’ natural tartness. This simple side dish is a great accompaniment to any holiday meal, or is perfect on top of a salad any time. 


• 1 cup cranberries
• 2 cups roughly diced apple 
• 1⁄2 cup orange sections

• 1⁄4 teaspoon orange zest
• 4 tablespoons coconut sugar 
• 3 mint leaves 

Pulse-blend all the ingredients in a food processor until roughly combined. Store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. 

Makes 2 to 4 servings

This item posted: 19-Nov-2017

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