What is a Juniper berry? A juniper berry is not actually a berry, but a cone that looks like a berry due to its fleshy scales.
Although there are many species of junipers, only six varieties of the Juniper berry are considered to be fit for human consumption.
Juniper berries are one of the most widely used spices in European cuisine. They are mostly used to impart flavor to meat. Another popular use of Juniper berries is in the preparation of gin.
In fact, the word gin, or jenever, is actually Dutch for juniper. A little known fact is that gin was originally developed as a medicine or a tonic. Thus, it is evident that even in the olden days, the health benefits of Juniper were widely known.
What are the benefits of essential oil of Juniper? Juniper berries are widely used in aromatherapy as essential oils.
This essential oil concentrates the beneficial therapeutic properties of Juniper berries. This essential oil is an astringent, carminative, depurative, diuretic, and a soporific.
This essential oil can be used to treat a number of ailments such as arthritis, catarrh, cystitis, and rheumatism. It can also be topically applied to heal wounds and cuts. Essential oil of Juniper may also be added to a warm bath to relieve pain and soreness in the joints.
This essential oil also helps to keep your teeth, gums, and hair healthy. It is frequently used in many dental pastes and creams and in many shampoos and conditioners as well. It is also a natural cure for flatulence. A soothing aromatherapy massage with blended Juniper oil can help to relieve aches and pains, and skin conditions such as rashes, acne, and eczema.
Juniper berries and bladder problems. As mentioned earlier, Juniper berry is a diuretic. This means that it increases the frequency of urination. Consumption of juniper berries can help to flush out excess water from the urinary bladder and kidneys. It is frequently administered for the treatment of various urinary tract infections and gouts. It is also thought to be beneficial for the treatment of kidney stones.
However, an excessive dosage can increase uterine contractions and also harm the kidney in the long run. Therefore, juniper berries are not administered to pregnant woman and in certain other conditions that affect the bladder. It is best to check with your physician and follow his or her advice in this matter.
