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Juniper is a medicinal plant of the species Juniperus communis, known as cedar, juniper, genebreiro, common juniper or zimbrão, which produces round and bluish or black fruits. Fruits are also known as juniper berries and are rich in oils such as mycrene and cineole, as well as flavonoids and vitamin C, and are used to treat various health problems, especially stomach and skin problems, inflammation and urinary infections.
Although it has several health benefits, the use of juniper can also cause several side effects, especially when the plant is consumed in excessive amounts and for more than 6 weeks and include kidney, gastrointestinal problems, increased uterine contractions, abortion and irritation of the bladder. Juniper is contraindicated for pregnant women and people with nephritis.
Juniper can be purchased from health food stores or street markets. However, its use should always be done under the guidance of a doctor or other health professional who has experience with the use of medicinal plants.
The main benefits of juniper are:
1. Eliminates fungi and bacteria
Juniper has essential oils such as sabinene, limonene, mircene and pinene capable of eliminating fungi, especially skin fungi, such as Candida sp. and bacteria like:
Escherichia coli that causes urinary tract infection;
Staphylococcus aureus that cause lung, skin and bone infections;
Hafnia alvei that are part of the normal intestinal flora, but that can also cause pneumonia, urinary tract infection, kidney infection and some intestinal diseases;
Pseudomonas aeruginosae that cause lung infections, ear infections and urinary infections.
In addition, the alcoholic extract of the juniper also has an action against bacteria, including Campylobacter jejuni that can cause food poisoning and the Staphylococcus aureus which is capable of causing infections in the skin, lungs and bones.
2. Has anti-inflammatory action
Essential oils and flavonoids such as rutin, luteolin and apigenin present in the hydro-alcoholic extract of juniper, function as potent anti-inflammatories, being very useful in the treatment of inflammations in the throat and intestine, besides helping to reduce muscle and joint pains and tendonitis, for example, because it reduces the production of inflammatory substances such as prostaglandins and cytokines.
3. Fight urinary infection
Juniper has a diuretic action, increasing urine production and cleaning the urethra. So it can be used to help treat urinary infections and prevent kidney stones from forming.
The increased urine production caused by the essential oils present in the juniper also helps to combat rheumatic problems such as gout or arthritis by increasing the elimination of uric acid in the urine.
4. Reduces swelling
Juniper tea can be used to help reduce swelling by decreasing fluid retention throughout the body due to its diuretic properties, being very useful especially in cases of kidney problems.
5. Improves the functioning of the digestive system
The essential oils present in juniper improve digestion by controlling the flow of bile from the liver and stomach acids, and increasing the production of digestive enzymes, regulating the digestive process. In addition, the astringent properties of juniper reduce the acidity of the stomach and thus aids in the treatment of ulcers.
Juniper also protects the liver, reduces the production of intestinal gases, fights diarrhea and helps treat worms and intestinal infections.
6. Has antioxidant action
Juniper has phenolic compounds in its composition such as bioflavonoids and terpenes such as sabinene, limonene, mircene and pinin which have antioxidant action, fighting free radicals and reducing cell damage. Thus, juniper helps to prevent and combat diseases associated with oxidative stress caused by free radicals such as atherosclerosis.
In addition, some animal studies show that juniper oil, because of its antioxidant properties, confers a protective effect on the nervous system, which can assist in the treatment of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. However, studies in humans are still needed.
7. Protects against cardiovascular disease
Juniper has essential oils in its composition such as totarol and flavonoids such as rutin, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action that help to reduce cholesterol absorption, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis.
In addition, the diuretic property of juniper also helps to control blood pressure, essential for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system.
8. Controls blood glucose
Some studies show that flavonoids such as rutin and amentoflavone in alcoholic extract and juniper tea can stimulate insulin production and reduce blood sugar levels, and can be an important ally in the treatment of diabetes.
9. Reduces pain
The alcoholic extract of juniper contains substances such as pinene, linalool and octanol with analgesic effect and flavonoids such as rutin, luteolin and apigenin with anti-inflammatory effect, helping to decrease pain by inhibiting the activity of substances involved in pain such as cyclooxygenase, for example .
10. Has calming action
The aroma of juniper essential oil has calming properties and, thus, can aid in sleep, helping to fight insomnia and improve sleep quality. The essential oil can be used inhaled directly from the bottle or you can drink juniper tea before bed.
11. Combat respiratory problems
Juniper antioxidants, such as rutin and sugiol, are related to improving asthma and bronchitis, especially when essential oil is used to vaporize.
12. Improves skin quality
Vitamin C, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances present in juniper tone and cleanse the skin because they are antiseptic and astringent, improving skin quality, in addition to treating problems such as allergies, acne, eczema, psoriasis and dandruff on the scalp.
Juniper can also be used on skin wounds due to its antibacterial properties.
How to use juniper
The normally used part of the juniper is its whole fruit from which its active substances are extracted and can be consumed in the form of tea, tincture, also called alcoholic extract, or used in the form of essential oil or in the form of ointments and creams for the skin.
The main ways to use juniper are:
Juniper tea: put 2 to 3 juniper berries (fruit) in a cup of boiling water and cover. Let stand for 5 minutes and filter. It is recommended to drink a maximum of 1 to 3 cups a day for a maximum period of 6 weeks;
Juniper tincture (for external use): the tincture or alcoholic extract can be purchased at pharmacies of natural products, herbal remedies or made at home. To prepare the tincture, crush 10 of juniper berries in 1 cup of 70% cereal alcohol or brandy. Put the mixture in a clean, dark and covered container and let it enjoy for 1 week, but it is important to stir the bottle every day to extract the juniper components. After that period, filter and save. The tincture can be used on the skin in cases of rheumatism or for muscle pain;
Juniper essential oils (for external use): juniper essential oil can be used as a flavoring, in vaporization for lung problems or on the skin. See other ways to use the essential oil.
Juniper cream or ointment (for external use): juniper cream or ointment can be purchased at pharmacies for natural products and used on the skin in cases of muscle or joint pain, cramps, rheumatism, gout or arthritis.
Another way to use juniper is in sitz baths to treat hemorrhoids, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, and it must be prepared using 1 small spoon of juniper tea in 100 to 200mL of bath water.
In addition, you can also prepare a conditioner, to be used on the scalp in cases of psoriasis, mixing 10 drops of juniper xylem essential oil in 1 tablespoon of almond oil and 600mL of hot water. Allow the mixture to cool and apply to the scalp for 15 minutes and then rinse.
Possible side effects
Juniper is safe for most adults when consumed for a short period of time, when inhaled for spraying or used on the skin in small areas. However, if juniper is consumed in excessive amounts or for more than 6 weeks, it can cause respiratory and kidney problems, irritation of the intestines, bladder or skin, make it difficult to control blood pressure in cases of hypertension or greatly reduce the levels of blood sugar causing hypoglycemia crisis in diabetics. In addition, juniper can cause increased uterine contractions and miscarriage.
Medical help should be sought immediately or the nearest emergency room if symptoms of juniper intoxication, such as difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting or seizures, are present.
Who should not use
Juniper must not be used by babies, children, pregnant or nursing women and people with nephritis, which is an infection of the kidneys. If you suspect pregnancy, it is recommended that, before using juniper, a pregnancy test is done, as juniper can cause abortion by increasing uterine contractions.
In addition, juniper must be used with caution by diabetics or hypertensive patients, as it can increase the effect of drugs for these diseases and cause side effects.
The juniper essential oil should not be ingested or used directly on the skin due to the high capacity for intoxication.
It is important to use juniper under the guidance of a doctor, herbalist or health professional with specific knowledge of medicinal plants.