Juniper … Like many of the others, studies connecting juniper berries with treatment for diabetes have been limited to lab and animal testing. It has a lot of uses and benefits that are generally safe for human consumption that also was practiced and was part of a long history for its usage, dating back to early civilizations like Rome and Egypt. Many of the health benefits of juniper berries are due to their antioxidant properties . (, Juniper berries may also interact negatively with certain medications, according to a 2014 study. Juniper berries contain polyphenolic compounds known as, ) These compounds are what give fruits and vegetables (and a few other foods) their antioxidant loads. (That’s probably why doctors used to sanitize medical equipment with them. Perhaps most significantly, the activity of three extremely important antioxidants in the body is encouraged by juniper berries: (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Students and Doctors. One major benefit of juniper berries is the antioxidants they contain. However, by consuming juniper berries, this issue can be overcome easily. Dr. Axe: Food is Medicine. (, ) These compounds seem to occur more often in ripe berries than in unripe varieties. While juniper berries are widely known and used for kidney and bladder health/cleansing, what most don't realize is they're also used for spiritual protection. For example, juniper berry essential oil has been found to reduce, in animal studies, related to the antioxidants it contains. J. Juniper berries contain flavonoids that prevent inflammation. The common juniper (Juniperus communis) is native to the northern US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. In one study (using very high doses) juniper berries were found to be toxic, but according to many medical experts, it is safe for the kidneys in proper doses.. Science News. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. She has worked in the hospital setting and collaborated on Alzheimer's research. (37). Juniper oil (combined with other essential oils) was also found to reduce the addictive effects of sleeping medications or eliminate them altogether in people with insomnia. An extract of Juniperus drupacea berries from Turkey showed significant antibacterial activity in lab tests against various cells, including the Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus. (. Juniper plants vary in appearance and can grow low and wide like a shrub or tall like a tree. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) Juniper berries have a number of health benefits, namely: Antioxidant; Diuretic; Antimicrobial and antifungal agents (natural or pharmaceutical) help to build up acetylcholine in the nervous system, which in turn can slow heart action, lower blood pressure, increase blood flow and induce contractions of the heart. If you are taking any medications, you should first consult with your doctor before using juniper berries or juniper berry essential oil. However, one study involving milk cows found that feeding the subjects juniper berry essential oil did result in improved digestive behavior. (21). (, For the most pungent flavor, try crushing fresh berries before using them in a sauce or marinade. Common names: Juniper Bush, juniper bark. (, Some evidence suggests that juniper berry essential oil can also potentially kill bacteria that are resistant to common antibiotics. (, ) A similar study stated juniper berry’s function as a natural, (in its original or essential oil form) also contributes to its blood pressure-lowering activity. Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Juniper. Their antioxidant properties help … Like I mentioned, juniper berry essential oil is also a popular way to gain the benefits of juniper berries. (Plus How to Eat for a Healthy Heart), Are Oats Gluten-Free? Juniper berries come from the evergreen shrub Juniperus communis L. The shrub produces seed cones that are called juniper berries, also known as common juniper, juniperi fructus, and "boughs of the supernatural." Males make brown cones which don’t look like fruit. (16) Staph infections cause skin infections and issues like boils, and they can sometimes lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, cellulitis or bone infection. 2008;115(1):110-5. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2007.09.012, Komori T, Matsumoto T, Yamamoto, M, Motomura E, Okazaki Y. Benefits of Juniper Berries. Juniper berries actually aren’t berries at all. 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). The dried fruit and oil are used to relieve stomach upset. And the results definitely aren’t all anecdotal. And while cranberries can help prevent a urinary tract infections, juniper is one of the most popular natural prevention methods and remedies. The generally recommended dose of juniper berries is: To use juniper berries as a health-promoting spice in food or in cooking, the following are some tips for use: As with all herbs and spices, be sure to purchase juniper berries from a reputable source. In an examination of how animal wounds healed when treated with juniper berry essential oil, researchers discovered that two cultivars of juniper berries “displayed remarkable wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities.” (. ) Medicinal properties: Diuretic, carminative, tonic, antiseptic, stomachic. Juniper berry oil was found to fight against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteria, several stains of pneumonia, and more.. Juniper berries (Juniperus communis L.) belongs to a genus that includes 60 to 70 different species. Make a tasty diuretic tea by steeping juniper berries over boiling water for 10 minutes, add honey or another natural sweetener, and enjoy. Other studies have found potential health benefits of juniper berries relating to improving the effects of Parkinson's disease and lowering cholesterol. (, However, in a lab setting, juniper berry essential oil or extract has been found to cause apoptosis (cell death) in a drug-resistant strain of leukemia, HepG2 (liver cancer) cells and p53 (neuroblastoma) cells. (That’s probably why doctors used to sanitize medical equipment with them.). Effects of garlic and juniper berry essential oils on ruminal fermentation and on the site and extent of digestion in lactating cows, Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of juniper berry (Juniperus communis L.) essential oil. If they are burned, it will increase the bitter flavor. Menstrual Cramps It is a very annoying problem in the happen to women. Juniper berries are also a worthwhile addition to the diet for people at risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. It is being used for treatment against diabetes. Also, the berries contain vitamin C, polyphenols, and flavonoids. It can also act as an appetite suppressant. Juniper benefits. They have many important medicinal uses. The berries only grow on the female bushes so if you find a juniper bush with no berries, know that you are on the right track by finding its male counterpart. Juniper berries are an essential ingredient in most forms of incense. 2018. Juniper is an herb, the Juniper berry extract is used to make medicine. The juniper berry can interfere with proper implantation of the embryo in early pregnancy and may have other properties (such as inducing uterine contractions) that could contribute to or cause a loss of the pregnancy. Botanical name: : Juniperus communis or species Actions: Anodyne, antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant, stomachic . 17. The Romans also used juniper berries as a cheaply produced substitute for black pepper, which was expensive to import from India. (8), 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. There are approximately 60 to 70 different varieties of the juniper bush/tree. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) juniper berries have been used for centuries as a stimulant for the kidneys and bladder to flush out impurities and toxins. Because they have a large quantity of antioxidants, juniper berries have a long list of health benefits. Other ways the juniper berry is used is as dried fruit. Let’s go through some of the amazing benefits of juniper berry oil. Juniper essential oils compliment woods such as sandalwood, rosewood, fir needle and clary sage. If you often feel like you could use a quick boost in ... Turkey is a nutritional powerhouse, so you want to make sure to ... Juniper berries traditionally have been used to “detoxify” the body and promote healthy digestion and skin health, among many other things. 9 Benefits of Juniper Berries 1. (, Probably also due in part to its antioxidant qualities, juniper berries can help to improve heart function. Are you still with me? J Ethnopharmacol. Long before they were used in food, the Greeks used juniper berries as medicine and stimulants for Olympic athletes. Yes, juniper oil can be used topically (directly rubbed on the skin) for treatment of skin conditions such as eczema and acne. The main constituent of a juniper berry is the volatile oil. They help our intuition and energy field, not to mention they've been used to ward off evil eye type curses. Issues with SOD are linked to ALS, Down syndrome, cancers and lung issues. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02376, Tam TW, Liu R, Saleem A, Arnason JT, Krantis A, Haddad PS, Foster BC. Juniper berries are officially the only spice to come from a conifer tree. Interestingly, the same agents are also used in some cases to treat digestive obstructions. Dr. Josh Axe is on a mission to provide you and your family with the highest quality nutrition tips and healthy recipes in the world...Sign up to get VIP access to his eBooks and valuable weekly health tips for FREE! Lab tests showed very potent results of an extract of juniper berry against the parasite. (31) Although malondialdehyde’s role in diabetes isn’t understood entirely, its concentration is much higher in people with diabetes (and cancer). It has also been used as a general antibiotic herb to heal infections, as well as a digestive tonic for the stomach, intestines, and spleen. and SOD both protect against damage from peroxide within the body, while glutathione peroxidase does the same and is associated with helping to prevent and treat cancer and heart disease. (, ) Although malondialdehyde’s role in diabetes isn’t understood entirely, its concentration is much higher in people with diabetes (and cancer). Juniper has been used traditionally to treat arthritis, gout and rheumatism.. Test tube studies have shown that the berries can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis which indicates that this traditional use has some merit. It is possible to develop an allergic reaction to juniper berries, which could manifest with skin issues (like a rash) or breathing issues. The berries … Juniper is also not recommended for those with poor kidney function. People on medications should consult with their prescribing physician before eating juniper berries or using the essential oil, as it can interact negatively with medications activated by the CYP3A4 enzyme. Action of the essential oil on the antioxidant protection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae model organism. In this video I discuss the amazing health benefits of juniper berries. 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