Are you a fan of Juniper berries? Have you ever used them in the kitchen or as a medicine? I have been experimenting with Juniper medicine over the last couple of years and have grown to really value juniper in my home. The 'berries' are actually the female seed cone of the juniper tree which can be widely found throughout most of the northern hemisphere. They are described as 'fleshy cones, with merged scales, giving them a berry-like appearance'. Initially green, when mature, the 'berries' become a dark purple or purple-black.
Juniper (Juniperus communis) has a number of healing benefits. I am still learning, always, about the herbs around me. To date, I have not made a tincture but plan to do so asap. I want to make a small amount to incorporate into a bitters formula. Also, a glycerite... then maybe into some honey..
There's always something to do here at Studio Botanica! I am never bored!!
I have been using Juniper in my kitchen and here's a post with lots of ideas for incorporating Juniper Medicine as a food into your life: I really hope you enjoy the recipes here.
Benefits of Juniper berries
- Anti-arthritic
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial and anti-fungal
- Carminative
- Digestive aid
- Diuretic
Juniper Medicine ~ Antioxidant Hero
Juniper berries contain solid levels of antioxidants. These help to neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals thought to be responsible for the development of blood vessel issues, cell malignancies, and several degenerative diseases. Antioxidants can alleviate inflammation, assist in cell regeneration and are believed to be a way to protect the skin against premature aging.
Antioxidants are thought to be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of several common ailments such as:
- Atherosclerosis
- Arthritis
- Macular degeneration
Juniper berries are somewhat bitter so they naturally stimulate the secretion of saliva, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes and in doing so, can be a terrific part of a plan to improve digestion! For more about bitters, check out this post
Juniper Medicine
prevention and treatment of digestive issues:
- bloating
- flatulence
- heartburn
- indigestion
Juniper Medicine ~ Diuretic Benefits
As a diuretic, Juniper helps expel excess fluid in the body. Diuretics can help to increase urine output, stimulating the bladder to urinate frequently. This can help to prevent bloating and water retention. We think of diuretics, too, we want to prevent UTI (urinary tract infections) and when we want to assist our body with detoxification by removing bacteria and toxins.
We can employ juniper berries as a part of a plan to prevent bladder and kidney stones.
Juniper Medicine + Gram-Negative Bacteria!
Recently, I discovered another benefit! Juniper medicine can actually fight gram-negative bacteria! Gram negative bacteria is present in diseases including E. coli, gonorrhea and bacterial pneumonia. It is being used when pharmaceuticals are not doing the trick! This is actually important as we are finding that drugs which may have been used for decades can be ineffective with the changing times.
Read more here.
NOTE: Avoid internal use during pregnancy.
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