The juniper has been known for a long time. From ancient times the benefits not only of the berry itself are known, but also of the leaves and the roots, which to this day find their place in medicine.
But, like any medicine, this plant has its own similar effects and contraindications. Therefore, to avoid complications, it is better to familiarize yourself with the medicinal properties and the counterindications of the berry before using it.
Chemical composition of the juniper
The plant is famous for its chemical composition. Juniper berries contain up to 2-3% of essential oil, widely used for medicinal and cosmetics purposes. Essential oil contains
- Cadinene;
- pinene;
- Canfen;
- Sabinene
Oil contains acetic, malic and formic acids. It includes a large number of trace elements such as: iron, manganese, aluminum, copper.
The remaining 97-98% of the composition of the juniper comes from:
- water up to 20%;
- sugar up to 40%;
- resin up to 10%;
- ashes up to 10%
- organic impurities up to 1%;
- ashes up to 1%; discolored fruit up to 10%;
- mineral impurities and peptides up to 6%.
The chemical composition of the plant is very diverse and much appreciated. The plant, apart from medicine, has a wide application between homemade recipes. With it many decoctions and syrups are elaborated.
Calories and nutritional value of juniper berries
Juniper berries are composed of 40% carbohydrates, fat or protein. Therefore, the caloric value of the berries is extremely low. It amounts to 113 kcal per 100 g.
Juniper properties
Despite their coniferous appearance, berries are very useful and irreplaceable for their properties. They are indispensable
- diuretic;
- expectorants;
- Colerético
In addition, juniper berries have good antiseptic and ant i-inflammatory effects. Help against swelling, teeth pain, scabies and dermatitis. The juniper juice easily relieves throat and abdomen swelling, helps against cramps and constipation. It is taken in the form of doses for diseases such as tuberculosis, rheumatitis and severe nerve diseases.
Benefits for women and men
The benefits of juniper berry for men are very high. It is recommended to take it in case of power problems. This is because, thanks to its properties, when taken, the medicine improves blood circulation in the pelvis and groin area, which helps eliminate male impotence and put man in form for sexual activity.
This miraculous solution is prepared from the plant cortex. 3-4 tablespoons of bark are taken, 1 liter of hot water is poured and infusion is left for 12 hours. It is advisable to prepare and save the tincture in a thermos. It is very demanding and prefers heat.
Once in infusion, an iron pot is poured from the thermos, it is boiled for 15 minutes and allowed to cool. Only then is the solution ready for internal use. The medication should be used 3 times a day in a 50 ml dose.
Women are also recommended to use juniper in both therapeutic and preventive and cosmetic measures. First, the essential oil of the plant is good for the skin. It helps get rid of wrinkles, alisa and softens the skin. It becomes softer, clear and rejuvenated.
Secondly, if a woman has some type of edema – you cannot dispense with juniper. Medications based on him in a short time solve swelling problems.
They eliminate them both from the face and inside the body. The plant is also a good diuretic, which contributes to the elimination of harmful toxins from the body, purging it.
The juniper dye is good for hormonal insufficiency in women, using in the sanitation of the vagina. The juniper treats the inflammation of the appendices.
Damage and contraindications
Although the juniper plant has a lot of positive qualities, it remains a poisonous plant. And when applied in large quantities, serious complications may arise. Therefore, before using it, it is always necessary to know the correct dose to avoid it.
There is also a whole list of contraindications when junión should not be taken:
- In the presence of allergy to a plant;
- If a chronic liver disease is suffered;
- If the gastrointestinal tract does not work correctly;
- Young children under 6 years.
Important! Especially contraindicated the use of the plant for pregnant women, or during breastfeeding. The damage in such cases goes first to the baby.
It is not recommended to prescribe a treatment course yourself. It is always necessary to take a juniper by medical prescription. For preventive take, uninterrupted intake should not exceed a period of 1 month.
Juniper application
Because of its properties, the juniper is used in almost everything and everywhere. It is used to make wine, tea, tinctures, decoctions, creams and medicinal ointments. It is used in cuisine, cosmetics and medicine. Species are made with it and berries are used to make sugar, since 40% of the berry is made up of sugar.
It is present in most creams and ointments. Juniper oil is widely used for medicinal purposes. It is the basis of medicinal creams that relieve swelling and inflammation.
In popular medicine
Essential oil is the basis for the production of medicinal creams that help relieve swelling and inflammations. Oils are also effective when taken internally. It helps eliminate harmful toxins of the human body, cleanses ducts and digestive organs. When applied externally, it helps to get rid of the scabs that have been formed.
The plant is widely used in popular medicine. The oil is used a lot in many areas. Tinuras serve to cure many diseases and ailments.
To treat cough
For cough a special juniper tincture is prepared. 10 grams of dry material are taken and 1 cup of hot water is poured. It gets well and lets be insisted for 15-20 minutes. It only remains to strain and cool the tincture.
After cooking, the throat should be rinsed 3 times a day. The effect is noticeable from day one. Little by little the throat is released, redness disappears.
To treat herpes
Herpes is an infectious disease, which most of the time causes skin lesions and has unpleasant cosmetic effects. Juniper oil is not only effective for the skin, but also as an antiviral agent. It can help to get rid of the virus and restore the skin. You have to use it on time.
For the disease to be curable with essential oil oils, the treatment must be applied in the initial period of the disease. In this case, the cure will not require much time or effort.
Pregnant women are an exception. In case of Herpes, it is contraindicated to use Essential Juniper oils to cure the disease.
To improve digestion
The berries of the plant have been used for a long time in popular medicine to improve digestion. Juniper essential oil can help swelling. It helps eliminate gases from the body and is a purification.
For tincture, take 10 berries of the plant and pour boiling water on them. It is boiled for 15 minutes and allowed to cool. The tincture can be applied below. The berries also help to restore the intestinal microflora of the stomach wrapping it from the inside.
For pyelonephritis and cystitis
To treat cystitis and pyelonephritis prepare a juniper tincture according to the following recipe:
- Take 10 grams of juniper berries;
- Pour boiling water;
- Leave infusion for 20 minutes;
- go through a strainer;
- cool.
Caution. Tincture can be kept up to 2 days at room temperature. Apply 3 times a day, 2 tablespoons every time.
Diuretic
The diuretic effect of juniper occurs under the influence of Apigenina, which irritates the parenchyma and improves renal function. A diuretic is prepared pouring 1 teaspoon of nuts in boiling water and leaving it in infusion for 1 hour.
Then it filters, heated and the tincture is ready for use. Such a remedy is beneficial for the kidneys and normalizes their work. It can be used as a diuretic no more than 5 times a day, and no more than 2 weeks in a row. Half an hour after application you feel the first need to go to the bathroom.
In cosmetology
In cosmetology, juniper is not missing. By its composition, it is a usual plant in the use of cosmetics. It is used in creams and masks. Its essential oil softens, purifies and rejuvenates the skin. It shines to the skin.
Juniper essential oil is added to shampoos, hair oils. It is used in remedies against baldness. The fact that the essential oil contained in the berry strengthens the structure of the hair.
They become stronger and more bulky. As for hair growth, when it is put on the scalp, the essential oil irritates the hair follicles. If they are frequently irritated, they begin to relive and produce hair growth.
A fact fact: juniper oil not only has the power to stop hair loss, but it can also stimulate new hair growth over time. To do this, it is necessary to periodically apply juniper oil in the problems of the head, but not for more than a month. Then, a week’s break must be taken and the treatment starts again.
In the kitchen
Juniper berries have a good aroma. Therefore, the plant is actively used in spice manufacturing. Dry berries give a pleasant taste of pork, goose and veal. Often, the juniper berries are added to the chucrut.
The experienced housewives use the juniper for the meat of domestic animals. Due to the subtle smell of the needles, the meat knows the forest hunting. No more than 5 berries should be used for 1 kg of meat. Juniper berries can also be used to smoking or drying meat.
The juniper is also used a lot to make beer and kvas. At home, berries can be used to make vodka or to make sugar. Juniper berries can also be used to make sweet desserts.
Important: Not all condiments can be combined with juniper berries. You must clarify compatibility before using them, otherwise you can get a very unpleasant aroma.
When and how to collect juniper berries
Look for juniper in sandy soils, dry pine forests and mountain foot. The plant likes abundant light, the frost does not bother him and tolerates the drought.
Juniper berries are better collected in autumn, from the beginning of September to the beginning of November. Pineapples and needles are used above all. The rest is barely used and sometimes it is not worth picking it up. To collect the berries, a cloth or paper on which the plant will be shaken extends on the floor.
CRUDAS JUNICAL BASE COLLECTION AND CONSERVATION
The juniped juniper berries must be cleaned with needles, remains and immature fruits. Seque for them in a shed or the attic. Do not dry them by increasing the air temperature. This destroys the structure of the plant and makes it lose its useful properties.
Dry berries should not be wrinkled and must have a blackish color. The common juniper should not be confused with the variety of cosaca berries. They do not differ much in color, but some berries are beneficial and other poisonous.
Dry berries should be stored in a closed jar or in a box, shelter of sunlight.
Juniper is a very useful plant that is still actively used in various industries. It has diuretic, ant i-inflammatory and choleretic effects. It has many cosmetic benefits.
It is used a lot in popular medicine. It is used as a seasoning in food. But it also has negative properties. Therefore, before using it, you must make sure you can use this plant or not. Juniper berries should not be confused with their poisonous “counterparts.”
