Subscribe to our Newsletter:
Healthy Diet Plans >>  Health Food >>  Juniper Berries Health Benefits

Juniper Berries Extract And Juniper Berries Health Benefits

Juniper berry is a form of fruit and there are six species of junipers which can be eaten. There are many health benefits of juniper berries and it can be used as urinary antiseptic. Juniper berries can also be used for arthritis and slow healing wounds

A juniper berry is not actually a berry in the sense that berries are a form of fruit. However, the juniper berry is actually the seed cone of the juniper plant. It is considered to be a berry due to its scales.

The term juniper refers to a wide variety of small evergreen trees. There are actually 6 species of junipers whose berries are actually eaten.

Juniper berries are traditionally used in European cuisine to impart flavor to meat. The juniper is perhaps the only conifer that is used as a seasoning. The word gin is also derived from the Dutch word for juniper. Gin was originally developed from juniper berries as a form of medicine in the early seventeenth century.

Health Benefits Of Juniper Berries

There are many health benefits of juniper berries. The juice of these berries is a natural stimulant and a diuretic. Juniper berries can also be used as a urinary antiseptic. The juice can also be ingested as a digestive tonic.  

Due to the many juniper health benefits, these berries are used in treating a variety of ailments from rheumatism, arthritis, to cystitis and catarrh. The berries may also be crushed and applied topically to slow-healing wounds as they are a powerful antiseptic. Washing joints with a tea made of juniper berries helps to relieve pain and soreness from them.

Juniper extract is also used as an essential oil in aromatherapy. This essential oil has astringent properties and is helpful in treating toothaches and strengthening the gums. It can also be used to retard hair fall. Among the many juniper health benefits are its carminative properties which make it one of the best natural cures for flatulence and gas. Massaging with the essential oil of juniper is the best way to get rid of unwanted aches and pains and skin infections.

Not only are there many juniper berries health benefits, but they can also help you lose weight. This is because juniper is a diuretic, depurative, and a sudorific. It not only helps to cleanse toxins from the blood, but also helps to increase the frequency of urination and perspiration. This can significantly aid in weight loss. Since juniper is also a stimulant, it also helps all the various organs of the body to function more efficiently.

Precautions:   Although there are many health benefits of juniper, it may result in contraindications in case of pregnancy. It should be avoided by pregnant mothers, as well as by those with kidney problems.

Vitamin charts and what they do: 

A vitamin chart helps to outline the dosage and benefits of each vitamin, providing a detailed list of sources of different kinds of vitamins. An extensive vitamin chart will also provide you with dosage instructions for different vitamins on a per day basis. A standard vitamin chart is recommended for a healthy adult based on a 2000-calorie diet. The recommended dietary allowances for different kinds of vitamins and minerals may differ based on age, gender, height, weight, and level of physical activity. Dosages also usually vary if you are pregnant or lactating and/or depending on your lifestyle.

Some vitamin charts may also specify a safe/adequate intake range. Vitamins are mostly soluble, and excess amount of vitamins are usually excreted from the body.  However, any indiscriminate intake of vitamins or vitamin supplements may interfere with your body functions and cause health alarms. Thus, a vitamin chart ensures that the body is supplied the right amount of vitamins. Listed below is a sample of vitamin chart for kids. The vitamin chart details benefits and sources of different kinds of vitamins that should be part of your daily diet.

Vitamin A:  Essential for eye health and clear night vision, vitamin A supports the health of the immune system and promotes healthy skin and cell regeneration. Vitamin A can be found in eggs, milk, dark colored vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, dark green vegetables like spinach and kale, and fruits such as cantaloupe, apricots, peaches, mangoes and papayas. Apricot contains the nutritients that can cure anemia, cancer, skin diseases, fevers, earache, indigestion and constipation. The health benefits of peaches includes asthma, kidney and bladder stones, high blood pressure, gastritis, anaemia, poor digestion, dry cough so try to incorporate peaches in daily diet as far as possible. Like Peaches, the health benefits of apricots includes anemia, cancer, skin diseases, fevers, earache, indigestion and constipation.

Vitamin B:  Vitamin B complex comprises of all the B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B7, B9, and B12); they are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, panthothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid or folate, and cobalamin, respectively. Different vitamins within this group are essential for our daily functions. Thiamine and riboflavin provide the body with its energy needs by helping to convert carbohydrates into energy. Thiamine also supports the function of important organs like the heart, muscles, and nervous system. Riboflavin helps in the regeneration of red blood corpuscles. Niacin supports nerve function and promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails. Folic acids or folates are important for cell regeneration and are the building blocks of our DNA. Vitamin B12 or cobalamin is essential for nerve function and the production of red blood cells. It plays an important role in the overall growth and development of the body. Pyridoxine helps the body break down proteins into essential amino acids and promotes hormonal function.

Thiamine and riboflavin are present in a wide variety of foods such as whole grain products including wheat pasta, bread, cereals, dark leafy vegetables, potatoes, diary products, seafood, pork and kidney beans. Whole grains, dried beans and peas, poultry, fish and lean red meat contain rich traces of niacin. Pyridoxine can be found in tropical fruits such as bananas, mangoes, papayas, dried beans, potatoes, wheat germ, fish and chicken. Expectant mothers can include mushrooms, green leafy vegetables, dried beans and peas, dried nuts such as walnuts, almond, cashews, all citrus fruits, and wheat bran bread for their daily quota of folates. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, shellfish like shrimp, lobster, mussels, crabs, eggs, chicken, and lean meat provide our bodies with vitamin B12. Deficiency of certain vitamin B may cause physical and mental fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, skin deficiencies, loss of appetite, and muscle cramps. Birth defects or poor development in children maybe observed due to vitamin B deficiency.

Vitamin C: The most important role of Vitamin C is to act as a catalyst for the assimilation of iron and calcium. Vitamin C also helps brain function, promotes healing, and is essential for bone and dental health. Collagen, the connecting link between body cells, also benefits from Vitamin C. Citrus fruits and fruit juices such as sweet lime, key lime, lemon, and orange are excellent sources of Vitamin C. Other fruit sources include dark colored berries, guava, kiwi, and grapefruit. Vegetables such as colored bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and broccoli are also rich sources of Vitamin C

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential for your body’s bone building process. Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium into the bloodstream. In a unique process, the human body produces Vitamin D by absorbing sunlight through the skin. A deficiency of this vitamin is responsible for a medical condition called rickets, which leads to a softening or weakening of child’s bones. Vitamin D sources include sufficient amount of sunlight, milk, egg and egg yolks.

Vitamin E: With antioxidant properties, Vitamin E helps to fight cell damage. It can be found in fish and fish oils, oily nuts and seeds, avocados, whole grain foods, leafy vegetables, and vegetable oils.

Juniper berry benefits

One of the best Juniper berry benefits is its anti inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. It is also considered to be beneficial for the kidneys though it should be used cautiously and under medical supervision only for kidney ailments. The antiseptic properties of the berry are useful to get rid of yeast, bacteria and fungi infections. This is specially so in urinary tract infections and over growths of parasitic types. Some of the properties which this berry contains are supposed to be diuretic and help eradicate excessive fluid retention in the body. It also contains natural insulin which is beneficial for diabetics and in helping the functions of the pancreas.

Juniper berries benefits

There are several juniper berries benefits which have a positive impact on health. The juice of the berries can be used as a tonic for digestion to relieve gas and flatulence, and for treating catarrh, cystitis, arthritis and rheumatism. The berries can be crushed and applied to wounds which are not healing or to rinse joints which are sore, to ease the pain. As the juice has antiseptic properties the oil from the berries is used in aromatherapy. The astringent properties of the oil strengthen the gums and relieve toothache.

The juice of this berry is effective in weight loss as it is a diuretic and cleanses the toxins from the system. Noticeable symptoms are frequent urination and more perspiration and both help in reducing the weight.

Juniper berries health

The juniper berry health benefits are from the consumption of juniper berry juice and juniper berry fruit. Some of the more serious health conditions like high levels of uric acid and cancer have been treated with this herbal medication. Diabetics also find relief as this fruit has a natural form of insulin and can improve the functions of the pancreas when the damage is not permanent. The juice and extract can be used externally for healing acne, dandruff and athlete’s foot, and skin conditions like psoriasis. Menstrual problems in women are known to be relieved with the juice of these berries. The extract of this fruit is beneficial both internally as wall as externally to health.

Juniper berry extract

The juniper berry extract can be used in a 1:2 proportion with water. This concoction can be taken in three equal doses everyday for a maximum period of six weeks. Tea of the extract can be made by soaking the dried berries in boiling water and leaving it to brew for around ten minutes. The liquid can be strained and consumed. The oil from this extract can be put into hot water for a bath or inhaled in the form of a vapor for respiratory problems and infections. However, all these treatments are best done under medical supervision to ensure the best effects.
Juniper fruit

The juniper fruit is a rich source of vitamin C. This fruit is the main ingredient in certain makes of gin and other alcoholic beverages. The oil of the juniper fruit is used to flavor cordials and liquors as well as some foods in certain cuisines. Apart from this, the fruit has several health benefits and is used in commercial preparations such as cosmetics and anti cellulite creams. However, it is better known for its medicinal values rather than for its culinary uses.

Juniper juice

Juniper berry extract benefits which can be availed from the juniper juice are used in herbal medications as well as for other uses. These berries are best when they are still soft and moist and can be squashed easily between the fingers. It is at this stage that a puree is made and used to flavor stuff or make the juniper essential oil from them. The berries are very potent and not many are required to make an extract for culinary, medicinal or commercial uses. It is best to store them in air tight containers until required.

Benefits of star anise

Like the juniper berry there are several benefits of star anise. It is used in traditional medicines in China and is usually given for digestive problems and colic to babies. With the recent onslaught of avian flu the star anise became one of the main ingredients in the anti viral drug called Tamiflu.

It is also used in Eastern cuisine especially in dishes which have to be cooked on a low flame slowly. The flavor from this spice is like licorice and it emits a red color to the gravy. This spice is used significantly in the Far East in the curries and soups.

Juniper berries health benefits

Juniper berries health benefits
are many and it’s extract and juice is used for several ailments like cystitis, intestinal infections, arthritis, circulatory problems, neuralgia, urinary tract disorders, edema, bladder and kidney disorders, gout, stomach ulcers, flatulence and indigestion, colds and asthma, sinusitis and various kinds of inflammations. There are several medications made with the juniper berry extract and used according to the ailment. However, this should not be used beyond six weeks without a physician’s supervision.

Health benefits of juniper berries

The extracts and oils have the main health benefits in juniper berries. The concentrates of these oils are used to treat various ailments which include lung congestion and respiratory problems. Some of the ingredients which are obtained from the resins and tars of the juniper berry are used to treat stubborn skin problems. As the extract is rather potent it has to be diluted before use. This herbal extract is used for menstrual problems in women and to stimulate menstruation in young girls whose periods have not started in spite of their reaching the age for it.

Benefits of juniper berries

Benefits of juniper berries are more relevant in debilitating disease like arthritis and lack of strength in the tissues. This is used more often to treat older people who often suffer with chronic ailments. Chronic problems lead to lack of tone in organs as well as tissues and can be stimulated with the juniper berry’s extracts. These extracts can be used either internally or topically for such problems. Small doses of this extract or juice can be combined with different herbs and taken for as long as ten days after which one should stop and then restart again after a short break.

Though there are several health benefits there are some contraindications too especially if taken by women who are pregnant or those who are suffering with kidney diseases. It is best to take any treatment herbal or otherwise under the supervision of your physician.

Submitted on January 16, 2014