Juniper berry's therapeutic uses
Juniper berries, derived from the cone of the juniper plant, have a variety of proposed therapeutic uses, though scientific validation is limited. Traditionally, these berries have been utilized in various cultures for a range of health benefits, including aiding childbirth and treating conditions such as congestive heart failure and urinary tract infections. Contemporary herbalists primarily employ juniper as a diuretic, often combining it with other herbs to potentially enhance its effectiveness against bladder infections. Additionally, juniper is believed to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which may contribute to digestive health and help regulate blood sugar levels.
While juniper is generally regarded as safe for culinary use, caution is advised for specific populations, particularly pregnant women and individuals with kidney disease or those on lithium medication. Some historical uses of juniper have raised concerns about safety during pregnancy due to its potential to stimulate menstruation and childbirth. Overall, while juniper berries hold a storied place in herbal medicine with various suggested uses, further research is needed to substantiate these claims.
Juniper berry's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: None
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Diuretic, osteoarthritis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, digestive health, antimicrobial, blood sugar control
Overview
The Dutch word for juniper is geniver, from which came the English word “gin.” Juniper, however, is not only good for making martinis. Its berries (actually not berries, but a portion of the cone) were used by the Zuni Indians to assist in childbirth, by British herbalists to treat congestive heart failure and stimulate menstruation, and by American herbalists in the nineteenth century to treat congestive heart failure, gonorrhea, and urinary tract infections.
Therapeutic Dosages
Juniper tea can be made by adding one cup of boiling water to one tablespoon of juniper berries, covering, and allowing the berries to steep for twenty minutes. The usual dosage is one cup twice a day. However, juniper is said to work better as a treatment for bladder infections when combined with other herbs. Combination products should be taken according to label instructions.
Bladder infections can become kidney infections. For this reason, individuals should seek medical supervision if their symptoms do not resolve in a few days or if they develop intense low back pain, fever, chills, or other signs of serious infection.
Therapeutic Uses
Contemporary herbalists primarily use juniper as a diuretic (water pill) component of herbal formulas to treat bladder infections. A typical combination might include goldenrod, dandelion, uva ursi, parsley, cleavers, and buchu. The volatile oils of juniper reportedly increase the kidney filtration rate, thereby increasing urine flow and perhaps helping to “wash out” offending bacteria. However, there is no direct scientific evidence that juniper is effective for bladder infections. Only a double-blind placebo-controlled study can prove a treatment effective, and these have been limited with juniper.
Gin-soaked raisins have been touted as an arthritis treatment. This may be a fad, though some weak evidence from one small study suggests juniper may possess anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, test-tube studies have found certain juniper constituents inhibit the herpes virus. However, concluding that juniper is helpful for herpes infections is premature. There are several other suggested therapeutic uses for juniper. Its antioxidant properties may protect against free radicals, which cause chronic and long-term health conditions. Juniper may promote digestive health by relieving indigestion, gas, and bloating. Its antimicrobial properties may help fight fungi and bacteria. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study suggests juniper may help regulate blood sugar levels, potentially benefiting those with diabetes. Another study indicated juniper may help glycemic control. Finally, juniper has been suggested as a means of supporting respiratory health, relieving menstrual cramps, promoting wound healing, and providing immune system support.
Safety Issues
Although juniper is regarded as safe and is widely used in foods, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy. (Pregnant women should also not drink gin.) Remember, juniper was used historically to stimulate menstruation and childbirth. It has also been shown to cause miscarriages in rats. Persons taking the medication lithium should use herbal diuretics, such as juniper, only under the supervision of a physician because being dehydrated when taking this medication can be dangerous.
Some texts warn that juniper oil may be a kidney irritant, but there is no real evidence that this is the case. Nonetheless, people with serious kidney disease probably should not take juniper. Safety for young children, nursing women, and those with severe liver disease has also not been established. Individuals who are taking lithium should not use juniper except under the supervision of a physician.
Bibliography
"Juniper." RxList, www.rxlist.com/juniper/supplements.htm. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.
"Juniper - Uses." Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington, wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2117006. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.
Kubala, Jillian. "5 Emerging Benefits of Juniper Berries." Healthline, 30 Aug. 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/juniper-berries#2.-Provide-anti-inflammatory-and-antioxidant-effects. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.
Newall, C., et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. 2nd ed., Pharmaceutical Press, 2002.
Raina, Rajinder, et al. "Potential of Juniperus communis L as a Nutraceutical in Human and Veterinary Medicine." Heliyon, vol. 5, no. 8, Aug. 2019, p. e02376, doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02376.