The Highbush Cranberry - A Multipurpose Shrub http://www.ag.usask.ca/cofa/departments/hort/hortinfo/fruit/cranbery.html
Medicinally, preparations of the fruit have been used as an astringent to
treat swollen glands. The bark yields a preparation (containing a bitter
compound called viburnine) that has been used as an apparently effective
antispasmodic for relief of menstrual and stomach cramps, and asthma. The
antispasmodic properties were independently known to European, Native
American, and Asian peoples.
<< i'm in one of the tiny pockets of zone 2 that
northern minnesota is blessed with. im now 3 years into a lifelong
quest to grow any kind of fruit that can make it here, well or at all.
highbush cranbery is native, happy , and relatively rare here. an old
timer told me that was diferent before the depression in the 30's. he
and every other kid went out gathering it, selling the bark for a
handsome price as a medicinal-- so much so that it was well nearly
wiped out. are any of you nafexers growing these, a few or
commercially? does any one know of a market these days for the bark? >>