5 Emerging Benefits of Juniper Berries
- High in nutrients and powerful plant compounds. Though nutrition information on juniper berries is limited, they’re known to provide certain vitamins and an array of plant compounds.
- Provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Antioxidant-rich foods are important for health, as they help protect your cells against damage that may otherwise lead to illness.
- May have antidiabetic properties. Juniper berries were used in traditional medicine practices to treat diabetes, and recent studies confirm that they may have antidiabetic properties.
- Could promote heart health. Juniper berries may promote heart health by improving HDL (good) cholesterol levels and reducing high triglyceride levels, as well as LDL (bad) and total cholesterol.
- Antibacterial and antifungal activity. Test-tube and animal studies show that juniper berries have powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties.
- High in nutrients and powerful plant compounds. ...
- Provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. ...
- May have antidiabetic properties. ...
- Could promote heart health. ...
- Antibacterial and antifungal activity.
What are the healing properties of juniper berries?
Three common forms of smudge are:
- smoldering herbs (smudge stick),
- diffuser oils ( essential oils) or
- liquid (liquid smudge ).
What are the different uses of juniper berries?
- Before using berries in sauces or meat marinades, be sure to crush them.
- To crush juniper berries, place approximately 1 tablespoon in a zippered bag and smash with a spoon or kitchen tool (such as a metal mallet).
- After the berries are crushed, place them on a cutting board and chop them up finely.
What are the side effects of juniper berries?
When it comes to side effects, there are a few that have been documented including:
- Skin rash
- Breathing difficulties
- Kidney damage
- Increased sugar levels
What is good substitute for juniper berries?
What’s A Good Juniper Berries Substitute?
- Your best bet: Gin. Gin is flavored with juniper berries, which means that it delivers the same piney flavor that you want from juniper berries.
- A decent second choice: Rosemary. Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb and a member of the mint family, but has leaves similar to pine needles.
- In a pinch: Caraway seeds. ...
- Other alternatives. ...
What is juniper berry good for?
Juniper berries or extract of the plant has traditionally been used as diuretic, anti-arthritis, anti-diabetes, antiseptic as well as for the treatment of gastrointestinal and autoimmune disorders.
What happens when you eat juniper berries?
All juniper berries contain the powerful oil Thujone. This oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and kidney problems when ingested in large quantities. Certain varieties of juniper berry contain safe, low amounts of Thujone, while other varieties contain high levels and can make you very sick.
Is juniper berries good for your liver?
Both juniper berry oil and fish oil treatment improved rates of bile flow from 25 microL/g/h (corn oil) to 36 and 38 microL/g/h, respectively. Importantly, juniper berry oil reduced cell death in pericentral regions of the liver lobule by 75%.
Is juniper good for kidneys?
Kidney Health Juniper is a powerful diuretic – a herb that increases the flow of urine, helping to cleanse the system of excess fluids and stimulating the kidneys. This causes the body to flush out uric acid and excess crystals that can cause many problems including gout, arthritis and kidney stones.
Are juniper berries edible raw?
Yes, juniper berries are edible. In fact, you may have tasted them before without even knowing it if you drink alcoholic beverages. Juniper berries are what gives a gin martini its unique flavoring.
How do you make juniper berry tea?
How to Make Juniper Berry TeaAdd the dried juniper berries to a tea ball and place in a large mug (alternatively, put the berries directly in the mug).Pour the boiling water into the mug. Let steep for 15 minutes. Strain the berries or remove the tea ball.Enjoy as is or with a teaspoon of raw honey.
Does juniper berries help lose weight?
Its detoxifying effects help relieve gout, arthritis and other inflammatory diseases by hindering the production of inflammatory prostaglandins. Since it eliminates water weight, Juniper berries can cause temporary weight loss. This doesn't mean that you are losing fat.
Is juniper berries good for your heart?
Juniper berries may promote heart health by improving HDL (good) cholesterol levels and reducing high triglyceride levels, as well as LDL (bad) and total cholesterol.
How long can you take juniper berries?
But it is LIKELY UNSAFE to take more than 10 grams of juniper berries or more than 100 mg of juniper oil, or to take juniper for more than 4 weeks. It can cause kidney problems, seizures, and other serious side effects.
What color is urine when your kidneys are failing?
Light-brown or tea-colored urine can be a sign of kidney disease/failure or muscle breakdown.
How do you eat dried juniper berries?
Because of their strong flavor, juniper berries aren't eaten on their own like other berries. Rather, they're used like a spice or a flavoring for a dish. The most prevalent way they're used is to flavor gin. Other uses for juniper berries include in teas, meat dishes, brines, and in sauerkraut.
What is juniper used for medicinally?
Juniper is used for digestion problems including upset stomach, intestinal gas (flatulence), heartburn, bloating, and loss of appetite, as well as gastrointestinal (GI) infections and intestinal worms. It is also used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney and bladder stones.
Why is Juniper Berry so popular?
The popularity of this berry is largely due to the health effects it has, derived from its impressive nutrient profile. This results in the anti- inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, diuretic, and antioxidant properties found in juniper berry. [1]
What are the nutrients in Juniper Berry?
This berry contains essential oils, terpenes, sugar, and various antioxidants, in addition to potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, calcium, limonene, iron, copper, and chromium. If you plan to take a supplement or simply increase your intake of these berries, there are some dosage guidelines.
What is a juniper berry?
A juniper berry is a part of the seed cone from the juniper tree and is not actually a berry at all. Some of these berries are dried and used as a spice, while some people choose to press out the essential oil, or even steep the berries to make a powerful herbal tea. The berries are famously used to flavor gin.
How long can you use juniper berries?
Extended use of these berries shouldn’t exceed 6 weeks without doctor approval.
Does Juniper Berry have apoptotic properties?
In a 2016 study by the University of Helsinki, the researchers show that there are certain phenolic compounds like apigenin, quercetin, isoscutellarein, and hypolaetin, in juniper berry that help activate apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma cells, which in simple terms is cancer found in the adrenal glands. [4]
Does juniper berry cause apoptosis?
In a 2016 study by the University of Helsinki, the researchers show that there are certain phenolic compounds like apigenin, quercetin, isoscutellarein, and hypolaetin, in juniper berry that help activate apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma cells, which in simple terms is cancer found in the adrenal glands. [4]
Can you use Juniper Berry for medicinal purposes?
Using juniper berry for medicinal purposes has been a practice for hundreds, if not thousands of years, but before using these berries, it is best to understand what they can do, and what risks they may pose.
What are the benefits of juniper berries?
9 Benefits of Juniper Berries. 1. Relieve oxidative stress and help prevent disease. One major benefit of juniper berries is the antioxidants they contain. Antioxidants help your body to prevent and fight disease because they relieve oxidative stress caused by too many free radicals in your system.
Why are juniper berries good for you?
Because they have a large quantity of antioxidants, juniper berries have a long list of health benefits. Consuming juniper berries can help to prevent major diseases, kill bacteria, improve the appearance of the skin, treat insomnia and even kill the parasite that causes leishmaniasis.
What are the three antioxidants that juniper berries have?
Perhaps most significantly, the activity of three extremely important antioxidants in the body is encouraged by juniper berries: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase. (9) Issues with SOD are linked to ALS, Down syndrome, cancers and lung issues.
What is a juniper plant?
They are female seed cones that come juniper plants — a type of conifer ( Pinophyta ), which is a cone-bearing plant or tree. Juniper plants vary in appearance and can grow low and wide like a shrub or tall like a tree. Their uniquely fleshy, merged scales make them look like a berry, thus the name.
Can juniper berries be used for diabetes?
At present, no studies have been done to investigate the interaction of juniper berries with the latter two conditions. 8. Can be included as part of a diabetic diet plan. Like many of the others, studies connecting juniper berries with treatment for diabetes have been limited to lab and animal testing.
Is juniper good for you?
Good for the heart. Probably also due in part to its antioxidant qualities, juniper berries can help to improve heart function. For example, juniper berry essential oil has been found to reduce high blood pressure in animal studies, related to the antioxidants it contains.
Does Juniper Berry oil kill candida?
(11, 12) Juniper berry essential oil powerfully destroys candida fungus, which causes an infection responsible for a huge laundry list of side effects. (13)
What are juniper berries
Juniper berries are not berries at all. They are female seed cones that come from juniper plants – a type of conifer (Pinophyta), which is a cone or tree plant.
Nutritional data
There are many species of juniper berries, however, keep in mind that at least one is toxic. Edible juniper varieties include:
What are juniper berries good for?
In addition, the berries also have anti-inflammatory properties that are ideal for relieving pain and inflammation related to rheumatism and arthritis. And juniper Berries are also beneficial in reducing congestion, as well as treating asthma and colds.
What is juniper used for?
Juniper uses also include the treatment of infections, especially within the urinary tract, bladder, kidneys, and prostate . One of the big benefits of juniper berries is that their antiseptic properties help remove waste and acidic toxins from the body, stimulating a fighting action against bacterial and yeast infections.
Why did the Greeks use juniper berries?
They also used the berries in many of their Olympic events because they believed that they helped increase physical stamina in athletes.
What is the flavor of juniper berry?
You may not be familiar with the juniper berry, but if you’ve ever indulged in a spot of gin, you will recognize the piney flavor of juniper. The first thing to know about the juniper berry is that it is not actually a true berry, but rather a cone with a berry-like appearance.
Does Juniper help with kidney infections?
Contemporary herbalists primarily use a juniper diuretic (“water pill”) as a component of herbal formulas designed to treat bladder infections. The volatile oils, particularly terpinen-4-ol, reportedly increase the rate of kidney filtration, thereby increasing urine flow and perhaps helping to “wash out” offending bacteria. According to some sources, Juniper increases urine volume without a loss of electrolytes such as potassium. It is recommended by the German Commission E for kidney ailments.
Does Juniper Berry help with gonorrhea?
Researchers at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences say that juniper berry can combat the bacteria responsible for not only E. coli, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, but also Staphylococcus aureus, a common antibiotic-resistant infection (MRSA) that people can acquire in hospitals.
Is Juniper a good antiseptic?
Juniper also makes an excellent antiseptic in conditions such as cystitis. It was used in the past to treat war injuries to help protect wounds from becoming septic or developing tetanus.
What Is Juniper Berry?
The juniper tree is dioecious, which means that the male flowers and female flowers grow on separate plants. The male juniper plant produces cones that are smaller in size when compared to cones produced by the female juniper plant. These cones from the male plant are inedible as they are little sacks of pollen.
5 Potential Health Benefits of Juniper Berries
Juniper berries have been used in traditional medicine for their astringent and antiseptic properties. Here are a few more potential and emerging health benefits of juniper berries.
Side Effects Of Eating Juniper Berries
As there is a lack of sufficient research and clinical trials regarding the use of juniper berries, you ought to consume them with caution as there may be potential side effects. Here are a few possible side effects of juniper berries.
How to Use Juniper Berries?
Apart from their medicinal uses, juniper berries are also used in cooking and in a few alcoholic beverages. They have a very strong aroma and flavor that can complement your marinades and meat dishes. For a strong flavor and taste, you can slice the berries in half and add them to your sauce.
Safety Precautions To Be Considered Before Taking Juniper Berries
Juniper berries when orally consumed in small quantities are safe, but you still have to be precautious about consuming them.
What is a juniper berry?
Juniper berry is an evergreen shrub which is different from the other berries such as blueberries, cranberries, and so on. People most often use it as a spice or medicines. The juniper tree identified by its thick and needle-like blue-green leaves, short reddish-brown logs, tiny yellow flowers and blue or black fruits ...
Why do you put juniper oil on a wound?
It prevents the infection of wounds. By applying juniper essential oil directly to the wounded skin, the astringent substance in it would help the wound dry and healed fast. Many doctors use the essential oil during the birth of both mother and the baby to reduce the infection of umbilical cord cut.
What are the uses of strawberry leaves?
People have been using leaves as benefits of strawberry leaves and branches since decades for medicinal and spiritual goals. It noted as a domestic ornament shrub, often used in wildlife planting and shelterbelt. The pungent wood is also a primary material for making furniture, fence posts and pencils. One of the primary uses of these berries is in ...
Does Juniper Berry make your skin red?
When applied to the skin, it increases blood circulation below the surface, which the skin begins to look red. The irritation of the skin may occur if you applied in excess. But, increased blood circulation below the skin benefits the skin and keeps it healthy and well-oxygenated. That’s the Benefits of Juniper Berry For Skin.
Does rubefacient help with eczema?
Its relaxing smell is best for your respiration, and the antioxidant will soothe eczema. Rubefacient is an agent which makes your face look red. Not only that but also the rest of the body. When applied to the skin, it increases blood circulation below the surface, which the skin begins to look red.
Can you overdose on juniper berry?
You should consider stopping using it. Overdose using juniper berry oil may cause the kidney irritation and blood in the urine. Make sure you consult a qualified physician before taking this oil orally.
Is Juniper Berry good for your skin?
Here are some benefits of juniper berries, especially its essential oil for your skin. Just like other berries and good for your skin, you may find the same benefits of sources as an essential oil. So, here are some Benefits of Juniper Berry For Skin: It cures acne. Healing acne is not easy, straightforward way.
Helps Prevent Diabetes
Studies on juniper berry tea, which is used to treat diabetes in alternative medicine applications, show that may have anti-diabetes properties. A study found that contributes to health by lowering bad cholesterol levels and balancing blood sugar levels. This feature of this tea comes from high antioxidant content.
Improves Heart Health
It can contribute to heart health by lowering bad cholesterol levels and raising good cholesterol levels. A study of animals showed an average 57% drop in total cholesterol levels. It should be noted that more research is needed for the effects of juniper berry tea on human heart health.
Antibacterial
Juniper berry, whose fruits have strong antibacterial properties, shows positive effects against eczema when applied topically to the skin surface in tea or oil form.
Beneficial For The Digestive System
Juniper berry tea, which contains compounds that stimulate the production of digestive enzymes in the body, contributes to an easier breakdown of food in the body and increase nutrient absorption. However, it can also be used to alleviate digestive ailments such as heartburn. It can also be useful in treating intestinal worms.
Improves Kidney Health
Which has diuretic properties, may contribute to the removal of excess fluid in the kidneys and also to many adverse health conditions that may occur in the kidneys, including kidney stones.
9 Other Benefits Of Juniper Berry Tea
1. Which has blood cleansing properties, increases body resistance, provides the acceleration of metabolism.
Side Effects
High amounts of Juniper berry tea and long-term use of juniper berry tea, kidney damage and lead to bleeding in the urine. Those with kidney inflammation should not use juniper tea cure. Juniper tea, which also has objectionable effects for pregnant women, activates uterus muscles, can lead to miscarriages.
