Juniper: benefits and harms to human health

Juniper contains unique substances in its composition, therefore it is often used for the treatment of various diseases. What are the benefits of the plant, how to use it correctly, and whether there can be any harm to health, you should find out before starting to use it.

Chemical composition, calorie content, BZHU

Juniper (health benefits and harms are due to its composition) contains a large number of biologically active components:

• organic acids (formic, acetic, malic);
• tannins;
• fiber and protein components;
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• essential oils and sugars;
• pectins and resins;
• ascorbic acid;
• trace elements in the form of copper, magnesium, zinc, selenium, nickel, aluminum and lead;
• macronutrients (calcium, potassium, manganese, iron);

The most commonly used berries are juniper, the calorie content of which is 130 kcal. A feature of the plant is the absence of proteins and fats in the composition - there are only carbohydrates in the amount of 28 g (in 100 g).

What it looks like and where it grows

Juniper grows in the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate. On the territory of Russia, it is found in the forest and forest-steppe zone on the European part. Juniper can also be found in Western Siberia and partly in the east. The plant grows on hills, dry mountain slopes, along river banks, in the undergrowth. Juniper can also grow on forest edges and in forest clearings, creating a whole community. The plant prefers dry soils with moderate moisture, but it can also be found in swampy areas.

Juniper has about 70 species.

It is an evergreen plant that is divided into:

• Shrub - have flexible shoots and a length of about 1 m.
• Treelike are trees up to 30 m high with a thick trunk and a pyramid-shaped crown.
• Creeping - have creeping roots, and outwardly resemble moss. The branches of such a juniper can grow upward and to the sides.

The plant is long-lived and can grow for about 600 years. Juniper blooms in June, and at the end of summer, fruits are formed - cones. They have a round shape, but their structure is represented by scales tightly adjacent to each other. The fruit has a dense texture. At first, the berries are colored green, and in the process of ripening they acquire a blue-blue hue. Fully ripe fruits have a dark purple hue, brown or even black (depending on the variety).

Contraindications for use

Juniper, despite its useful composition, can be harmful to health when applied.

It should be abandoned when:

• the presence of allergies to the plant and coniferous odor.
• Pregnancy.
• Exacerbation of renal failure.
• Children under 5 years of age.
• Ulcers of the digestive system (during an exacerbation).
• Colitis and gastritis.
• Chemotherapy.
• Epilepsy.
• Liver disease.
• Severe hypertension.

The healing properties of juniper

Juniper (health benefits and harms depend on the type of plant and its composition), according to scientific researches, in its bactericidal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties has no analogues among the plants. But you can get the desired crawl only when using common juniper - other plant species are poisonous and can cause serious poisoning.

For women

Juniper helps regulate hormones. During menstruation, it solves the problem of delayed discharge, and also relieves pain. With the help of infusion and decoction of the plant, the mucous membranes of the vagina are treated for various inflammatory processes of various origins. Also, the plant has a decongestant effect, helps to eliminate stress and normalize sleep. They are also used in cosmetology, adding to the composition of caring products.

Juniper helps to improve skin condition, prevent hair loss, and eliminate oily hair.

For men

The benefit for men is the ability to prevent a number of diseases, as well as treat existing ones:

• Sexual impotence.
• Inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system.
• BPH.
• Infectious prostatitis.
• Urethritis.

For impotence, a decoction of juniper bark is used. It must be removed from the young branches of the plant.

The remedy is prepared as follows:

1. Grind the bark.
2. 1 tbsp. l. bark pour 2 tbsp. boiled water.
3. Insist the resulting mixture for 10 hours.
4. After the specified period, boil the infusion for 15 minutes, covered with a lid.
5. Next, the infusion is cooled and filtered.

The cooked broth is taken three times a day for ½ tbsp. before eating food.

During pregnancy

The substances in the plant help increase blood circulation, which can lead to uterine bleeding and disrupt pregnancy or cause fetal freezing. Therefore, it is contraindicated to use juniper during this period.

When breastfeeding

The plant improves the lactation process, but it should be used with caution - it can provoke the development of allergic reactions and disrupt the child's digestion. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce his diet to nursing mothers gradually and in minimal doses. It is important to monitor the child's reaction and in case of deterioration in health, the consumption of berries should be abandoned.

For children

Plants in any form are contraindicated for children under 5 years of age. However, juniper is not recommended to be given for 12 years. The exception is the recommendations of pediatricians.

Recipes for medicinal products based on juniper, indications for use, instructions

Juniper (health benefits and harms depend on the correct preparation of medicines based on it) is used for the preparation of various products. They have a pronounced healing effect, but for this, when preparing, it is important to observe the indicated proportions and apply them correctly.

Infusion

The berry-based infusion is prepared as follows:

1. 1 tbsp. l. Rinse and chop berries.
2. Pour berries 1 tbsp. boiling water.
3. Boil the resulting mixture in a water bath for 15 minutes.
4. After this, the agent should be insisted for 45 minutes.
5. Next, the prepared infusion is filtered and applied.

Tincture

The plant-based tincture is used for:

• High blood pressure.
• Asthma attacks.
• Violent cough.
• Disruption of the nervous system.
• Swelling and bruising.
• Itching (also caused by scabies).
• Tuberculosis.

Preparation of the product consists of several processes:

1. Berries in the amount of 10 pcs. crush.
2. Pour the prepared berries into 1 liter of vodka and add 50 g of honey
3. Close the container with the resulting mixture tightly and insist for 10 days in a dark place.

To strengthen immunity, the prepared product is used twice a day for 1 tbsp. l. before eating

Decoction

To prepare a decoction, you must:

1. Rinse the juniper berries.
2. Next, pour boiling water over the berries (1 tbsp. l. berries are taken 2 tbsp. water).
3. Put the berries with water on the fire and cook for 20 minutes at minimum power.
4. Insist the cooked broth for 60 minutes, and then strain.

This remedy is used three times a day for 1 tbsp. l. It is also used externally in the form of lotions. The broth is applied to the affected areas of the skin with an insect bite, allergic reactions. It is also used for douching for thrush.

Tea

You can make tea from juniper berries. It is recommended to use it during colds, stress, general loss of strength.

He prepares simply:

1. 3 hours l. knead the berries of the plant.
2. Then pour 0.5 liters of boiling water over them.
3. Cover and leave for about 10 minutes.

Tea should be consumed immediately after preparation - after a certain time, the amount of nutrients in it decreases.

Tea is also prepared from the needles of the plant. It helps to strengthen the immune system and eliminate anxiety.

To prepare it, you should:

1. Pour 30 g of pine needles with 0.2 liters of boiling water.
2. Boil the needles for 10 minutes.

Drink a drink in 2 tbsp. per day, adding sugar or honey to taste. If the drink is too concentrated, it can be added to 50 ml of regular black tea.

Ointment

Juniper ointment is used to relieve pain in the joints and muscles. It reduces inflammation and swelling. Also, the ointment is used to warm up the muscles to prepare them for physical activity.

The remedy can be prepared at home. This requires the components shown in the table below.

Juniper berries	1 tbsp.
Distilled water
Beeswax	3 tbsp. l.
Olive oil (can be substituted with any vegetable oil)	2 tbsp.

How to prepare the ointment:

1. Pour the berries with water (should completely cover the fruits) and leave overnight.
2. Drain the water, and knead the fruits.
3. Place the juniper in a convenient container and cover with oil.
4. Put the oil mixture in a water bath and wait for the water to boil.
5. Boil the berries for a few minutes, and then remove from heat.
6. Cool the resulting mixture and remove the berries from it.
7. Add wax to the oil and stand in a water bath until the wax melts, constantly stirring the product.
8. Pour the prepared ointment into a clean jar and cool.
9. After cooling, remove the ointment in the refrigerator.

The ointment must be applied to the place where pain occurs, with massage movements. It is not recommended to use the remedy for more than 1 month, as this can disrupt the process of kidney function.

Oil

Juniper oil contributes to:

• Antibacterial protection.
• Removal of inflammatory processes.
• Eliminate puffiness.
• Cleansing the body of toxins
• Regeneration of skin cells.
• Eliminate sweating.
• Acceleration of the healing process of wounds, scars and other damage to the skin.
• Improving blood circulation and mental performance.

Essential oil is used for aromatherapy for nervous and emotional stress. It also has a strong antiviral effect, killing harmful bacteria in the air. Inhalation with oil helps to protect against the development of viral diseases. For this, the agent is applied to the neck and chest. Adding oil to a hot bath is also helpful - it helps not only to relieve tension, but also to eliminate headaches. Oil can be prepared from juniper berries or leaves (needles).

This process includes several stages:

1. Rinse and dry the fruits of the plant.
2. Fill a 1 liter jar with berries, stepping back 5 cm from the edge.
3. Next, pour vegetable oil over the juniper so that it completely covers the berries.
4. Cover the jar with a lid (metal, but without elastic) and place in a saucepan, after placing a cotton cloth on its bottom.
5. Fill the pot halfway with water and cover.
6. Place the saucepan over the fire and boil the water.
7. After boiling water, set the minimum fire power and hold the mass for 5 hours.
8. After this time, drain the oil from the can by squeezing the juniper well (it is thrown away after that).
9. Refill the jar with fresh juniper and pour over the resulting oil.
10. Repeat the process while keeping the oil on fire.
11. After draining, place the oil in a container convenient for storage.

The oil must be used with caution in chronic diseases of the respiratory system.

Juniper in folk medicine

Juniper (health benefits and harms will be maximum and minimum, respectively, with the right use of funds) are often used in traditional medicine due to the presence of a large number of valuable substances. It should be noted that the dosage and duration of use depend on the type of disease. Therefore, it is better to agree on the appropriate treatment regimen with a doctor, so as not to harm health.

For the digestive organs

In case of disruption of the digestive organs, accompanied by bloating and painful sensations, it is recommended to take a tincture of juniper.

Prepare it as follows:

1. Rinse 15 berries of the plant.
2. Place them in a glass container and pour 100 ml of 70% alcohol.
3. Close the container tightly and infuse the product for 10 days.
4. After that strain the infusion, squeezing the berries well.

Take the remedy for a month, 25 drops, divided into 3 doses. For better assimilation and digestion of food, take an infusion of juniper.

To prepare it, you should:

1. Boil 200 ml of water.
2. Pour 30 g of juniper fruits with boiled water.
3. Insist berries for 1 hour. under a closed lid.
4. Then add 40 ml of honey to the infusion and dissolve it, stirring it.

The prepared product is consumed 2 r. per day 20 minutes before meals for 1 week.

Diuretic

For these purposes, an infusion of juniper berries is used.

Prepare it like this:

1. 1 hour l. chop the pre-washed berries.
2. Pour berries 1 tbsp. boiled cold water and insist for 2 hours.

Before use, filter the infusion and take 4 p. per day for 1 tbsp. l.

As an antimicrobial and antifungal agent

Due to its pronounced antimicrobial properties, juniper is used for diseases such as psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and sciatica. It is used externally, applying the tincture in the form of a compress to the affected areas.

Preparation of the product consists of the following steps:

1. Fill a glass jar to the top with chopped juniper needles.
2. Pour the raw material with alcohol so that it completely covers it.
3. Insist the resulting mixture in a dark place for 2 months.

In a diluted form, the prepared tincture can be used to gargle with sore throat, stomatitis and pharyngitis.

To eliminate itching in case of skin diseases, it is useful to take baths with the addition of juniper decoction. For its preparation, the fruits of the plant in the amount of 100 g are poured into 1 liter of boiling water and insisted for 1 hour. The prepared product is added to warm water and taken in a bath for 20 minutes.

As an antioxidant

Natural sugars and a high concentration of vitamin C in juniper have pronounced antioxidant properties. As a result, the use of products with the plant gives the skin a healthy look, protects against free radicals, slows down the aging process and nourishes the skin with beneficial substances. The easiest way to use it is to add juniper oil to caring creams, masks or tonics.

For antioxidant protection of the whole body, juniper is consumed internally, combined with other beneficial plants. So, you can take in equal proportions dry fruits of blueberries, grapes, juniper and nettle leaves. The resulting raw material in the amount of 1 tsp. l. pour 400 ml of boiling water and insist. Prepared tea should be consumed three times a day half an hour before meals for 1 month.

When losing weight

For weight loss, juniper is used in combination with other plants - horsetail and nettle. An infusion is prepared from them. To do this, take 3 parts of juniper berries and 4 parts of horsetail for 2 parts of nettle leaves.

Further it is necessary:

• Combine the indicated plants.
• The received raw materials in the amount of 1 tbsp. l. pour 0.5 liters of boiling water.
• Insist the mixture for 10 minutes under a covered lid.
• After this time, strain the infusion.

The resulting volume is divided into 3 doses and drunk during the day.

Possible side effects after taking

You should not abuse juniper and take funds based on it for more than 2 months.

This can lead to the development of side effects in the form of:

• allergic reactions;
• nausea and vomiting;
• digestive disorders;
• malfunctions of the heart and the functioning of blood vessels.

An overdose of juniper can cause poisoning, which will be accompanied by profuse urination, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In more severe cases, convulsions, loss of consciousness are observed.

The beneficial properties of juniper make it possible to use it to heal the body. In order not to harm health, before using the plant, you should consult with your doctor and take the right products based on it.

Juniper video

The healing properties of juniper: