Juniper: medicinal properties and contraindications

The beneficial properties of juniper have been known since ancient times. Almost all parts of this plant are characterized by strong therapeutic properties. Oil is made from the needles and dried fruits of the culture. This product is widely used in various fields.

Juniper is a perennial, evergreen tree or shrub. He got this name due to the fact that it grows between fir trees. For medicinal purposes, fruits that are characterized by a diuretic, choleretic, antibacterial and expectorant effect are usually used. In addition, they have a calming effect on the nervous system, purify the blood and help relieve the inflammatory process.

In the people, this plant has many other names, the most common is heather. It is important to know the unique and beneficial qualities of juniper.

Chemical composition

Due to its rich chemical composition, the bush has many healing qualities that have long been studied. The fruits, needles and the root of the culture contain substances such as flavonoids, glycosides, bitterness, essential oils, organic acids, tannins, and camphor. It is important to understand that some of these substances not only have medicinal characteristics, but can also harm human health.

The presence of many enzymes in the composition of the plant helps to resist various diseases. Juniper oil is based on terpen, borneol, tannins, colorants, ascorbic acid, minerals and organic acids.

A number of studies have shown that juniper oil has a strong phytoncidal effect. So, you can see that in the places where this culture grows, the air is cleaner, fresher. People with certain diseases, as well as weakened animals, often visit such places.

The essential oil contained in the product helps to cleanse the internal organs. In addition, the culture is endowed with a diaphoretic, cleansing, antimicrobial and biliary effect.

In addition, juniper-based products help improve digestion, stimulate lymphatic flow, and heal damaged skin.

It is also worth noting that the plant has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system, which helps to cope with insomnia.

How it looks and where it grows

Juniper is a coniferous shrub. It can reach a height of 3 m. Most often, the culture grows in the Northern Hemisphere, northern Africa and Asian countries. He prefers moderate and tropical climatic conditions, dry slopes. Veres has a straight trunk and sprawling branches with prickly needles. Juniper berries are outwardly similar to scales, which form small cones. The color of the fruit varies from green to brown.

Views

Several varieties of heather are known. Numerous species differ from each other in color, shape and height of the crown. First of all, common juniper should be noted. This species is most often found in nature. This variety is easy to take root in almost all climatic conditions.

Virginia juniper is also original.Such a plant may take the form of a vertical tree with different heights or a horizontal shrub with many shades of needles. The advantage of this type is that it has a developed root system, which allows the plant to cling to literally any soil.

Cossack juniper is a shrub that is unpretentious, often grows in areas as an ornamental plant, prefers a lot of light. This species also has many varieties that differ in creeping and tall bushes.

There is also a horizontal juniper, very similar to the Cossack. It grows in Canada and the USA, most often in the mountains and on the banks of rivers. The plant is undemanding to the composition of the soil, prefers sunny areas, but gets along well in the shade. In the early years it grows very slowly, but an adult specimen is able to grow up to 10 cm in a year.

Chinese juniper is also known. The homeland of this photophilous variety is the countries of Asia. The variety is characterized by drought tolerance, can grow even on scarce soils and polluted territories.

The rocky view is significant in height. So, a plant can reach a height of 10 m or more. Such trees have a reddish-brown bark. Crohn is narrow and low. It usually grows on the slopes of the Canadian and American mountains.

The homeland of scaly heather is the Chinese and Taiwanese mountains. However, in our regions, the plant is also able to grow well. This species prefers light, but does not like cold and frost. Wood is resistant to decay.

Collection and storage

The fruits of heather begin to collect after they have fully ripened. Moreover, they should have a blue-black color. The collection is usually carried out from the end of August and lasts until the end of October. This is done as follows: under the bush spread paper or dense fabric. After that, they begin to coward a tree. Fallen berries are collected and sent for drying.

You can only dry fruits in special devices. Dried raw materials are stored in a dark place, in dishes made of quality wood. In addition, it should be tightly closed. The shelf life of such medicinal plant materials is usually 2 years.

How to distinguish thuja from juniper

Thuja and juniper are conifers that are representatives of the Cypress family. However, if you look closely, they have many differences. So, heather has needle-shaped leaves, and in thuja they change with age, forming scaly-like leaves.

To distinguish between these two varieties, it is necessary to study their biological characteristics. So, thuja grows very quickly, in height it can have 70 m, despite the fact that the trunk girth is about 6 m. However, pyramidal or spreading shrubs that have a height of up to 7 m often branch out on garden plots. This variety is called Western. Despite the high frost resistance, the plant is not able to grow in the Far North. The trunk of such a tree is smooth, gray. In the old plant, the bark is longitudinally wavy, exfoliates with narrow ribbons. Small, scaly needles are tightly pressed to each other. A bump is usually formed by two seeds. The plant blooms from early April to May. From June to September, the collection and harvesting of fresh branches for therapeutic purposes is carried out.

The main difference between thuja and juniper is that the last representative of the flora has a low growth. On average, these trees reach 3 m, it is very rare to find specimens up to 15 m high. There are also undersized shrubs that practically spread along the ground. It is from them that Juniper can be identified, since thuja does not have such varieties.

Veres blooms from May, and the fruits can be harvested from October to November. The fruit is represented by cone-berry, inside of which three seeds are contained. The bulk of the varieties has edible fruits. In the wild, juniper can be found not only in pine forests, but also in mixed forests.

The healing properties of juniper

It has already been said that the plant is considered a powerful natural diuretic. From the fruits of heather are made tinctures and decoctions, which are prescribed during a prolonged inflammatory process of the urinary system. Experts recommend using juniper in the presence of kidney stones, increased swelling, for disinfection of the urinary tract.

The healing qualities of juniper fruits are also used in the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract. Preparations based on this plant are able to stimulate appetite, restore digestion, eliminate nausea, heartburn, and also cope with diarrhea and gas formation. To restore the normal functioning of the digestive tract, the fruits can not only be used to prepare solutions, but also chew fresh.

Also, the plant is characterized by a calming effect. Juniper relaxes the nervous system. Healing compounds are recommended for use in case of neurosis and sleep disturbances. The healing effect is also different baths, which are prepared from the needles of the plant. It is recommended to take such procedures in the evening, before going to bed.

Juniper has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. The plant is able to lower the viscosity of sputum. At the same time, it helps with diseases of the bronchi. For colds and flu, it is recommended to treat the living rooms with smoke from such needles or attend an aromatherapy procedure.

Heather-based drugs can help with painful joints. Decoctions and tinctures based on culture are effective for gout, neuralgia, paralysis of the limbs. You can also use them externally, as lotions and compresses.

Such herbal medicines are also used in the fight against microbes. They are able to treat skin with dermatitis, eczema, ulcers, scabies. The broth of the plant, which is used to rinse the mouth with inflammation of the gums and teeth, is of great benefit. Tincture is recommended for use with ear inflammation. In this case, it is necessary to bury the mixture of culture in the auricles.

For women

Representatives of the weaker sex decoctions and infusions of juniper are used to sanitize the vagina. Such drugs are very effective for genital inflammation. The plant can even cure inflammation of the appendages. During menopause, you can take a tincture of juniper, as well as an aromatherapy session. This is due to the fact that the plant copes well with disorders in the nervous system, which are caused by changes in the hormonal background of a woman. Regular chewing of berries also brings great benefits to the female body.

Alcohol-based healing tinctures have a positive effect on the pelvic organs. In this case, blood circulation in these organs is restored, and the menstrual cycle is also normalized. Decoctions are indicated for various inflammations of an infectious origin.

For men

Men are recommended to use alcohol tinctures, which are made from the bark of a tree, rhizomes. They are effective in male sexual impotence. The drugs are able to restore blood flow in the pelvic area, normalizing sexual activity. Veres is also famous for its healing effect on pathologies of the genitourinary system. If you prepare the broth correctly, you can cope with urethritis, as well as infectious prostatitis. The plant is used as an additional drug in the treatment of prostate adenoma.

During pregnancy

During the period of gestation, it is not recommended to use agents based on heather, since drugs can provoke uterine contractions, lead to miscarriage, premature birth and even stillbirth.

When breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, it is also undesirable to take herbal preparations based on juniper, since the child's body can negatively react to such a component.

For children

All solutions and other preparations based on such plant materials are allowed to be used for children over 5 years old. However, in such a case, it is absolutely necessary to consult a pediatrician before treatment.

When losing weight

Juniper will benefit even when it is necessary to get rid of excess weight and bring your figure into shape. In this case, juniper oil can be used. This substance will help to immediately cope with the three main problems that all losing weight face. First of all, it is cellulite and a reduced tone of the dermis. In this case, juniper oil will help to remove excess fluid from the body and various products of fat breakdown. As a result, the skin will gain elasticity, and the so-called orange peel will disappear. Also, this substance is able to restore metabolism, cleanse the intestines and improve the functioning of the excretory system. This will allow you to remove all waste products that accumulate in the body.

Another problem this oil will help to cope with is increased appetite. This oil will help to cope with hunger, as well as prolong the feeling of satiety.

Juniper aroma improves mood, helps to cope with anxiety, increases self-confidence, allowing you to cope with discomfort.

To get rid of excess weight, juniper oil is taken both externally and orally. During breakfast, it is recommended to drip a few drops of butter on a piece of bread. In addition, 2 times a day should be added to 1 tsp. honey in a couple of drops and consume between main meals. External use is based on the use of oil as a massage composition. To massage, rub or wrap, you need to mix this coniferous ether with base oil in a ratio of 1: 5.

Juniper in folk medicine

Since ancient times, raw materials from such a shrub have been used to treat various kinds of diseases. Currently, many effective recipes are popular.

1. For example, for the treatment of gout, you can use a healing infusion. In this case, soak 10 g of dried berries in a cup of water. Cook the resulting mixture for 30 minutes, and then insist another 60 minutes. Ready broth to use 1 tbsp. thrice a day.
2. An alcohol tincture is suitable for the treatment of diseased joints. To prepare it, mix 20 berries with 100 ml of alcohol. Composition insist 10 days. At the same time, you need to store it in a glass bowl, in a dark room, protected from sunlight. Filter the finished tincture. Such a solution is used for rubbing sick joints.
3. Juniper preparations are also used in the treatment of allergies. In this case, branches and needles of the plant should be used. Grind raw materials and mix with a glass of hot water. Next, place the mass on a steam bath and cook for about 10 minutes, and then filter. The resulting composition should be taken in 3 divided doses throughout the day, 1 glass each.
4. An allergic reaction can also be eliminated with a juniper bath. In this case, it is necessary to take the same plant material in an amount of 300 g, grind and mix with 10 l of water. Allow the mixture to infuse for a while, then cook for half an hour over low heat. Then strain the liquid and add to the bath. The procedure for taking a bath should last for 15-20 minutes. The course of treatment is 10 procedures. In addition, such a therapeutic bath will help with neurosis, sleep disturbances and depression.
5. To cheer up, get rid of stress, it is recommended to drink a drink based on juniper fruits. Take 1 tbsp. chopped dried berries, add a glass of water, then put on fire and cook for 30 minutes. After that, add honey or sugar to it so that the mass thickens. The resulting syrup drink 1 tbsp. 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
6. Effective in this case is a blast. To obtain it, you should pour 50 g of dried fruit into a glass of hot water and insist for 2 hours. After the specified time, filter the liquid. Add 1 tsp to it.sugar and put in a water bath for 5 minutes. Take the drug in the same way as a syrup.
7. Juniper is also used for respiratory diseases. In this case, you can prepare a mass intended for inhalation. In this case, take a few berries and add 1 liter of hot water. Allow the mass to brew for 10-15 minutes. After that, open the dishes with healing broth and use therapeutic steam for inhalation. To cook the broth, you need to cut 2 tbsp. dried fruit and add 500 ml of hot water. Cook this mixture over low heat for about 10 minutes. Cooled drink take 2 tsp. thrice a day.
8. If you mix 1 tbsp. berries with a glass of boiling water, insist 3-4 hours and strain, it turns out a tool that will help in the fight against diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system. The resulting composition should be drunk 1/3 cup in 3 divided doses throughout the day.
9. In traditional medicine, antiviral drugs are used to treat herpes, which, unfortunately, are not able to completely get rid of the disease. Such funds only translate the disease into remission. As a result, with the slightest hypothermia or a decrease in the functioning of the immune system, the disease reappears. In this case, a folk remedy will help - tea from juniper. The benefit of such a drink is due to the high concentration of volatile and antiviral components. To make such tea is very simple. You just need to take 0.5 tsp. dried raw materials and pour a glass of boiling water. The medicine is infused for 20-25 minutes. Take the solution three times a day.
10. To treat sore throat, grind 1 tsp. dried fruits and pour them with 250 ml of boiled water. Mass insist in a thermos for an hour. After that, filter and divide into 3 parts. Use the solution to gargle. This is best done after eating.
11. To cleanse the blood and get rid of intoxication of the body, you need to eat fresh berries on an empty stomach. You need to start treatment with 1 fetus per day. Gradually, the dosage increases to 15 berries.

Types of healing compounds

On the basis of medicinal plant material represented by heather, various medicinal formulations are prepared to eliminate various pathologies.

Infusion

To prepare the infusion, conventional technology is used in a ratio of 1:20. That is, 5 g of crushed juniper fruits pour 250 ml of boiled water, cooled to room temperature. Insist such a solution for 10 hours or cook in a steam bath for 15 minutes in a hermetically sealed container. Before use, filter and drink 1/3 cup 20 minutes before eating. The multiplicity of taking the medicine is 3 times.

Tincture

To get the tincture, you should mix 15 g of berries with 100 ml of alcohol. The mixture is infused in a dark, dark place for 10 days. The ready-made solution is used to treat rheumatism as a painkiller.

Decoction

Healing broth is prepared as follows: boil 100 g of dried berries in 1 liter of water. Before use, filter and use as directed. Such a solution can be added to the water to take a bath. This will help with gout and joint pain.

Tea

To make healthy tea you need to take 2 tbsp. juniper berries, place them in a porcelain teapot, pour 1 liter of boiling water. The resulting solution is used as tea. It is an excellent remedy for inflammation of the liver.

Ointment

To create an ointment, you will need 1 cup of ripe coniferous shrubs, 2 cups of vegetable oil and 2 tbsp. beeswax. Preparing the mixture is very easy. To begin, soak the fruits in distilled water for several hours, and it is best to leave the mixture overnight. After this, drain the liquid, and crush the berries slightly and put in a small container. Pour juniper pulp with olive or other vegetable oil and place in a double boiler. You can also use the usual water bath. After a few minutes, remove the mass from the heat, cool slightly. After that, separate the berries and the oily liquid.Pour the oil back into the container and mix with beeswax. With regular stirring over low heat, melt the wax. Pour the finished ointment into a jar with a lid. After cooling to room temperature, place the composition in the refrigerator for solidification. Ointment is used for pain in joints and muscles, applying massage movements to the body.

Juniper Oil: Properties and Applications

Veres oil is suitable for the treatment of almost any pathology associated with the digestive system. In addition, the plant component will help rid a person of infectious and viral diseases.

With a cold, it is enough to dissolve 2 drops of oil in 15 ml of honey. This mixture can be used for any hot tea that is consumed 3 times a day.

In the presence of edema in the extremities, an herbal drink will also be effective. In this case, 3 drops of juniper vegetable oil must be added to a cup of boiled water. Use this composition twice a day, while the drink should be hot.

To cleanse the body of toxins and toxins, you can conduct a course of treatment. At the same time, 4 procedures have to be carried out during the year. The healing composition in this case is used only 3 days. On the first day, 5 hours before a meal, mix 1 drop of juniper extract with 30 ml of olive oil. On the second and third day, add 1 drop of such a product 3 times a day to food. This whole procedure is accompanied by the intake of a large amount of water.

To reduce body weight, dilute 15 ml of honey and 2 drops of coniferous ether in 100 ml of purified water. The effective composition is consumed throughout the week three times a day.

Regular consumption of a plant product will help in a short time to restore metabolic processes in the body and saturate it with a useful complex of minerals and vitamins.

In addition, juniper oil is recommended for the treatment of cystitis, arthrosis, varicose veins, polyarthritis. Also, this composition can be used to treat deep wounds and other damage to the skin. It should be noted that allergies, ulcers, diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoids can also be cured with the help of such a herbal composition.

Application in cosmetology

In the cosmetic field, only the essential oil of this medicinal plant is used. It is able to activate the growth of the hair follicle, making the hair at the same time light and silky. Such a component is added to various cosmetics that can cope with dandruff in a short period of time.

In addition, the oil is considered an effective tool for facial skin, is an antiseptic of natural origin, which will get rid of acne. As for the ointment based on this plant, it tightens the skin, makes it more elastic.

With oily hair type, a treatment mask from such a natural element is considered effective. In this case, it is necessary to combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 6 drops of juniper essential oil. To heat such a complex of substances and apply to the skin of the head, as well as to the hair strands. After that, put on a plastic cap and leave the composition to act for an hour. After the specified time, wash your hair with ordinary shampoo.

To quickly get rid of dandruff, juniper ether is added to the shampoo used. The ratio is the following: 1 tbsp. cosmetic composition add 5 drops of oil.

A mask based on this oil has a beneficial effect on the skin of the face. To prepare it, you will need ingredients such as egg white, as well as 3 drops of coniferous shrub oil. To begin, beat the egg white until foam, and then mix with oil.Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Apply the resulting composition to the face and stand for a quarter of an hour. After that, rinse the composition from the dermis.

For problem skin types, you can prepare a special tonic. In this case, you need 200 ml of water without gas and 5 drops of essential oil. Mix the elements well and drain into a convenient container. You can use such a cosmetic daily.

Oily liquid is popular due to its anti-cellulite effect. Such a herbal composition helps smooth the skin, toning them. With regular use, defects in the skin are smoothed out, some stretch marks disappear.

Such a herbal remedy can be used to nourish the skin. However, most cosmetologists recommend using it for problematic skin types, which are characterized by oily epidermis, prone to acne.

The extract of such a tree helps to cleanse the dermis. The systematic use of the product will protect the skin from peeling, acne and enlarged pores. To do this, add a few drops of oil to the cream, which is used for daily moisturization of the skin.

In addition to high-quality skin care, oil will help strengthen the hair structure. If you constantly add a small amount of vegetable oil from heather to the detergent, you can forget about itching, hair loss and their fragility.

Dermatologists are advised to include such a component in skin baths. It is popular as an antifungal agent. In addition, it will help get rid of corns, soften the skin and saturate it with useful enzymes.

The use of juniper berries in cooking

Juniper fruits are used in the culinary field as a seasoning. However, it should be remembered that if the cone of the berry is used for culinary purposes, their excess can lead to an overdose of this product. Thus, for 1 kg of any product, whether it is meat or fish, it is enough to use no more than 7 fruits of this plant. In this case, the fruits of heather are placed on cheesecloth and added to the dish 20 minutes before the end of cooking. When everything is ready, the bag of berries is removed from the pan.

From the fruits of juniper, you can also get an extract, which is used in the production of alcoholic beverage. For example, the well-known gin drink is prepared on the basis of a tincture of juniper berries. Moreover, as a seasoning, berries are added to sausages, giving them a piquancy and richness of taste.

For example, you can make baked ham. Of the ingredients you need 4 tbsp. soy sauce, a bunch of thyme and sage, a pinch of zira, a small amount of pickled onions, pork ham, weighing 3 kg, as well as a head of garlic.

For brine, it is necessary to prepare 1 tablespoon. marjoram, the same number of juniper fruits, 0.5 cups of brown sugar, 2 tbsp. black pepper peas, a few bay leaves, a glass of salt and 1 tsp. dry rosemary.

First you need to prepare the brine. To do this, boil a mixture of 3 liters of water, sugar, herbs and spices. The solution should cool completely. Pour the cooled liquid into a large container and add 4 more liters of boiled water.

Remove the skin from the ham, while the fat layer should be no more than 1.5 cm. Place the meat in the brine for 10-12 hours, then turn over, salt again and stand for the same amount of time in a cold place. In the ham, make deep cuts and stuff it with a pickled onion and garlic. Next, pour the ham with soy sauce, wrap in several layers of foil paper and bake in the oven at 180 degrees.

Can I eat berries

Edible are considered only juniper berries. Other fruits contain toxic substances that are dangerous to human health.Edible cones have a spherical shape, their diameter is up to 9 mm. In the upper part there is a furrow with 3 rays. The fruits are dark blue in color, the flesh has a brownish-green color. They have a bright and pleasant aroma, sweet-tart taste. Coniferous aftertaste is observed.

Since cones are enriched with ethers and resins, their uncontrolled use is dangerous to health. For preventive purposes, it is enough to eat 6-7 raw berries.

How to steam a juniper bath broom

First you need to be able to harvest brooms. Such bath brooms are not harvested for several years in advance, since over-dried coniferous branches begin to crumble quickly when brewed. The broom should be harvested in warm and dry weather. In this case, you can choose both young shoots and adult branches, the length of which is 50-60 cm. The collected raw materials should be placed in a dry room, in the shade. This is necessary so that the future broom is elastic.

After harvesting and drying the branches, the juniper broom can be steamed. It is very easy to do. First, soak the broom in cool water for 2-3 minutes. After that, carefully shake off the remaining water, put it back in the bowl and pour boiling water. After half an hour in hot water, the broom can be used for its intended purpose.

Contraindications

The composition of this plant contains substances that have a pronounced effect on the human body. Therefore, you should not independently use the raw materials for medicinal purposes and prepare formulations on its basis. There are a number of contraindications that must be considered before starting treatment with such a herbal component. In chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, veres can do more harm than good.

High blood pressure, the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as the age of up to 5 years - these are also restrictions on the use of funds based on juniper.

In addition, it must be remembered that long-term treatment with drugs and tinctures based on heather is contraindicated. The maximum course of treatment is 2 months. The duration of treatment can only be increased by a doctor, provided that the patient is constantly monitored.

It should also be noted that self-medication is dangerous to health. It is very important to consult with a specialist first. The drugs are quite strong and with the wrong dosage and duration of administration can harm.

Interesting facts about juniper

1. In the world there are long-lived junipers, whose age is about six hundred years.
2. Over time, heather wood becomes stronger.
3. In some countries, the fruits of such a plant are used to make beer and vodka.
4. Paint is made from juniper, which has an antiseptic effect and is used to paint a wooden surface.
5. Utensils made from juniper wood are used for long-term storage of food.

Juniper Photo