Known to cocktail connoisseurs as the ingredient that gives gin its distinctive bite, juniper berries also lend a pungent, woodsy flavor to wild game and venison in various European cuisines. Juniper berries are the aromatic female seed cones of the juniper tree. They are also used in European and Native American herbal traditions. Do not use juniper berries as a substitute for advice and treatment from a qualified health care practitioner.
Urinary Tract Benefits
According to Bharat Aggarwal, a professor in Department of Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Texas, juniper berries form the basis of many modern pharmaceuticals that treat the urinary tract. Juniper berries are a powerful diuretic, a substance that increases urine flow. Additionally, they contain antibacterial compounds that may be useful in the treatment of bladder and urinary tract infections. Consult a qualified health care professional before using juniper berries to treat urinary or other health conditions.
Digestive Benefits
Juniper berries are used to stimulate appetite, aid digestion, and alleviate the discomfort of gas and cramping. Aggarwal notes that the German Commission E Monographs, a guide to herbal medicine for licensed medical prescribers, lists juniper berry tea as a treatment for indigestion and heartburn. If you have digestive symptoms that are persistent or severe, consult your physician.
Nutritional Value
Though they are not typically consumed in quantities sufficient to provide significant quantities of nutrients, juniper berries are a healthy food that can contribute to a varied, nutrient-dense diet. They contain chromium, cobalt and zinc, microminerals necessary for normal metabolism. They also are sources of vitamin C, riboflavin and niacin.
Adverse Effects
"The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies" advises that pregnant women and those who wish to become pregnant avoid the use of juniper berries as an herbal remedy, although use as an occasional seasoning is fine. Juniper berries may promote uterine contractions and inhibit implantation, the phase in pregnancy when the embryo adheres to the uterine wall. Juniper berries may also cause allergic reactions in those who are susceptible. Do not use juniper berries at high doses or for protracted periods of time. Overuse may lead to gastrointestinal distress, irritability or the jitters.
References
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Seeds, Fruits and Cones
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon, et al.; 2002
- "Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices to Boost Health and Beat Disease"; Bharat Aggarwal; 2011
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