Dried Herb & Tea

Cornelian Cherry

Cornus mas

B Limited clinical evidence

In a meta-analysis of 6 small trials, cornelian cherry fruit was linked to modest drops in blood sugar and weight. It is not the same fruit as cranberry.

DigestionMetabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar
Cornelian Cherry
PregnancyUnknown
BreastfeedingUnknown
ChildrenUnknown
Drug interactionsNo recorded interactions
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At a glance

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is a sour red fruit eaten fresh, dried, as fruit leather, jam or syrup in Türkiye. Folk medicine uses it for digestive complaints and diarrhoea. A meta-analysis of six randomized trials found modest drops in fasting blood sugar, HbA1c and weight; the trials were small. Cranberry is a different plant.

Parts used: fruit
Key constituents: Anthocyanins, Iridoids (loganic acid), Organic acids, Tannins

Updated: October 24, 2026

Sources and research limitations appear below. The existence of a source does not mean every use has been clinically verified.

What is it used for?

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    A 2024 meta-analysis of six randomized trials with 415 people linked cornelian cherry fruit, powder or extract to small-to-moderate reductions in fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body weight and BMI, and an increase in HDL cholesterol. Waist circumference and liver values did not change; the trials were small and long-term effects are unknown. [1]

  • T Traditional use

    Traditional use: Documents traditional use, not clinical efficacy or safety for everyone.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    Cornelian cherry is traditionally used in folk medicine for digestive complaints and diarrhoea. No clinical trials confirm this use. [2]

How is it used?

Food

The fruit is eaten as food, fresh, dried or in homemade products. Studies used fruit, powder and extracts in different amounts; there is no verified supplement dose.

[1][2]

Safety & interactions

  • There are no safety data for supplements or extracts in pregnancy, breastfeeding or children; do not exceed food amounts.
  • If you take diabetes medicine, ask your doctor before starting a cornelian cherry supplement; it lowered blood sugar in studies.
  • Products sold under the Turkish name “kızılcık” are sometimes cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon); urinary tract studies used cranberry, so check the Latin name on the label.
  • See a doctor for prolonged diarrhoea, bloody stools or fever.
[1][2]

Drug interactions

No recorded interactions

Side effects

  • No serious side effects were found in clinical studies; long-term safety is unknown

⚕ When to see a doctor

  • If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
  • If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
  • If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs

Frequently asked questions

Does cornelian cherry lower blood sugar?

A meta-analysis of six small randomized trials found modest drops in fasting blood sugar and HbA1c. It does not replace diabetes medicine; ask your doctor if you take any.

Is cornelian cherry the same as cranberry?

No. Cornelian cherry is Cornus mas and cranberry is Vaccinium macrocarpon. Urinary tract infection studies used cranberry; there are no such data for cornelian cherry.

Does cornelian cherry help with diarrhoea?

It is used for diarrhoea and digestive complaints in folk medicine, but no clinical trials show this. See a doctor for prolonged or bloody diarrhoea.

Does cornelian cherry help with weight loss?

The meta-analysis found small drops in body weight and BMI, while waist circumference did not change. It should not be seen as a weight-loss method on its own.

Can I eat cornelian cherry while pregnant?

There are no safety data for supplements or extracts in pregnancy, and the trials did not include pregnant women. Ask your doctor before using a supplement.

Sources

Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval.

  1. The Impact of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled TrialsNutrients · 2024 · Systematic reviewSource accessed:
  2. Bioactive components and biological properties of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.): A comprehensive reviewJournal of Functional Foods · 2020 · ReviewSource accessed:

Cite This Page

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cornelian-cherry/

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