It is not surprising that juniper berries, medicinal properties and contraindications to the use of small blue-gray fruit interested people a few thousand years ago. With the development of science, it has become easier to discover all the secrets of an evergreen. It turned out that under the peel of nondescript fruits there is a whole biochemical pantry full of substances that actively affect human health and well-being. Historical sources mention that the ability of juniper berries to protect wine from souring was known in ancient Rome. In Mediterranean countries and in Scandinavia juniper cones have been used in marinades and seasonings for meat and fish.
In the world there are many types of juniper, but the benefits are brought only by the berries of the common juniper.
Features of the structure and collection of juniper berries
This is the most typical plant for Russia in the forest belt of the European part of the country, in Siberia and in the Urals. Evergreen shrubs find bright spots on the edges and in the undergrowth of birch forests, under pines, on the slopes of ravines and stony ridges, on overgrown cuts.
When collecting medicinal raw materials it is important not to be mistaken! Only juniper cones can be useful, are used in cooking, traditional medicine and officially confirmed the presence of medicinal properties.
Rounded fruits with a diameter of 6 to 9 mm at the time of ripening become almost black with a violet or brown tint. The smooth skin is covered with a thick bluish bloom, under which a groove diverging into three beams is clearly visible. Under the surface there is a greenish flesh possessing a characteristic aroma and spicy tart-spicy taste. In each juniper berry, as in the photo, there are 2-3 seeds.
Read also: What are the healing properties and contraindications of walnut septum?
The best time to pick berries is September and October, when the flesh accumulates the maximum amount of nutrients. So that only ripe fruits go into business, they put burlap, film or other material under bushes, and then tapping gently on the branches and trunk of the shrub, shake the lumps. Then they are sorted and dried, without resorting to heating. It is important that there is ventilation in the room, it is dry and clean.
Dried juniper berries are stored in glass containers, in paper or canvas bags, protected from dust, sunlight and moisture.
The biochemical composition of juniper pine cones
The healing properties of juniper berries and contraindications that prevent fruit consumption are directly related to the numerous bioactive components contained in the pulp.
Natural sugars, predominantly represented by fructose and glucose, give sweetness to berries. Agility is determined by the presence of organic acids, for example, ascorbic, malic, formic, natural bitters and resins, tannins and glycosides. Pectins and wax-like compounds, fatty oils, flavonoids and phytoncides are present in the pulp, and especially in the skin covered with a bluish bloom. Juniper fruits are rich in minerals, but the main treasure of the berries is the essential oil, the concentration of which reaches 2%.
"Lush" a bunch of useful components did not go unnoticed. The benefits of juniper berries today are appreciated by experts in traditional and traditional medicine.
Use of juniper berries: spheres and methods
In folk medicine, decoctions, alcohol and water infusions are prepared on the basis of such raw materials. Berries are consumed fresh, often used in cooking and in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages. For medicinal purposes, blue black fragrant fruits are used:
- as a natural diuretic and bactericidal agent for urolithiasis, cystitis and other pathologies of the urinary tract;
- as an expectorant, antibacterial agent for respiratory and ENT diseases;
- as a stimulator of secretory and digestive functions.
Read also: Useful delicacy - dandelion jam
The use of juniper berries is indicated when appetite deterioration, signs of "lazy" bowel or fermentation. In all these cases, the fruits of a very modest species exhibit outstanding bactericidal abilities. Shishkoagod:
- have an active cleansing effect;
- works as a natural stimulant for the urinary, digestive and respiratory systems;
- improves the condition of the mucous membranes;
- fights pathogens.
With careful, approved by the attending physician, the use of juniper berries increase lactation. Traditional medicine infusion is recommended as an effective tool in the treatment of angina. Baths with a decoction relieve disease manifestations in gout and rheumatism. Syrup on natural raw materials has a tonic effect in the autumn-winter period, invigorates with increased physical and mental stress.
Preparation of therapeutic agents:
- for a decoction a glass of water requires a spoonful of crushed dry juniper berries and 8–10 minutes, during which the composition boils over low heat;
- for tea a handful of grated fruits pour a glass of boiling water and wait 6–10 minutes for hours;
- for syrup per 100 dry fruits take 500 ml of water, sugar or honey to taste;
- for infusion filled with a glass of boiling water a handful of berries infused up to 8 hours.
Read also: How to use an exotic product called coconut oil?
Tincture of juniper berries is prepared at the rate of 100 ml of alcohol or 250 ml of vodka per tablespoon of dried fruits. In the heat and with regular agitation, the product is infused for 8–10 days, after which it can be drained and used for its intended purpose.
For stomatitis, inflammatory processes in the throat and nasopharynx, as well as for bad breath, it is advised to chew fresh fruit. They not only have a beneficial effect on the condition of the mucous membranes, but also continue to affect the digestive tract.
The fragrant tart fruits of juniper are prized by cooks. They give a spicy taste to meat and fish, help to preserve the quality of smoked meats, roasts, baked dishes and pickles longer. Strong alcohol natural flavor conveys a resinous fresh smell. In cooking, juniper berries are quite widely used in the manufacture of kvass and fruit juice, sweet and national baking, fermentation and pickling of vegetables.
Contraindications to the use of juniper berries
The richness of the biochemical composition determines not only the healing properties of juniper berries, but also contraindications, which in no case can be neglected. Gray fruits and all products based on them are prohibited for acute nephritis. Uncontrolled intake of herbal preparations can aggravate the situation, cause bleeding and complicate further treatment.
Refusing to use herbal remedies that can cause uterine contractions and provoke miscarriage, should expectant mothers.
Do not try the fate of independent treatment of juniper berries in the presence of diagnosed acute and chronic diseases of the digestive system and kidneys. Even in the absence of contraindications, the course of treatment should not last more than two months.
Video about the healing properties of juniper
