The juniper is an evergreen tree with purple, violet, blue or blackish-brown fruits. You typically harvest these fruits near the start of autumn, and you can use the fruits for medicinal and culinary purposes. This medium-height tree grows in Europe, Asia and parts of North America, especially in central Texas. Always check with your physician before taking juniper berry.
Uses
The juniper berry is the unique flavoring agent of gin. As a medicinal remedy, juniper was a popular treatment for numerous diseases in ancient Greek, Arab and Native American cultures. According to the "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," juniper berries can treat digestive problems like heartburn, flatulence or intestinal gas, an upset stomach and loss of appetite. Additional herbal uses of juniper berries include treating gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections, intestinal worms, bladder and kidney stones. or a snakebite.
The Great Kidney Herb
According to the "Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs With All Their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments," juniper is known as the great kidney herb. The berries have a strong effect on your kidneys due to juniper's anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. Additionally, the berry's antiseptic properties can help your body eliminate bacteria, fungi and yeasts. Moreover, juniper is a natural diuretic that helps remove excess water from your body.
Interactions
Juniper can decrease your body's blood sugar level. Since anti-diabetes drugs work to change your body's blood sugar level, juniper can cause adverse reactions to anti-diabetes drugs. Since juniper is a diuretic, it causes your body to lose water. If you take juniper with other diuretic drugs, the interaction may cause your body to lose an excess amount of water. This can result in dizziness, nausea and reduced blood pressure levels.
Other Cautions
According to the "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," extended use of the juniper berry can potentially irritate and damage your kidneys. This becomes especially important if you already suffer from any kind of kidney damage. Additionally, you should avoid using this herbal medicine during pregnancy because juniper berries can stimulate uterine contractions. Excessive use of juniper can also cause blood in the urine.
References
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno; 1997
- "Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs With All Their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments"; Andrew Chevallier; 2000
- Drugs: Juniper
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Juniper Berry; February 2011
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