Juniper: medicinal properties and contraindications, use

Juniper - that is, "growing between firs" - has been known to people for many centuries. And at all times, people knew about its healing properties. The berries of this plant are especially useful, but the roots and needles are also used in medicine. Nevertheless, before using parts of the plant in any form, it is worth taking a closer look at the medicinal properties and contraindications of juniper so as not to harm your health.

Juniper Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of this coniferous shrub is quite complicated. Berries contain various types of sugars, the total composition of which reaches 40%. They also found about 9 - 10% resins, as well as tannin, pectins, about 2% of valuable essential oils, wax, malic, acetic and formic acids, mineral salts and coloring matter.

In addition to essential oils, juniper needles contain a significant amount of vitamin C. Therefore, people in the northern regions chewed needles and drank decoction from it in order to escape from scurvy.

Juniper: healing properties

Juniper is increasingly found in garden plots, and for good reason. Its medicinal qualities can be listed for a long time.

• Berries are very useful for kidney diseases. They have a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal action, help get rid of edema.
• The fruits of juniper are used both as a choleretic agent and as a mild laxative.
• Juniper is very good for anemia, loss of strength, loss of appetite.
• With his help, sick joints are also treated.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the benefits of this plant for men and women.

For women's health

With a decoction of berries, the fair sex is successfully treated for colpitis and thrush, and the baths help relieve symptoms of inflammation of the appendages.

Juniper is very useful during menopause, as it helps to normalize hormonal levels.

Alcohol infusion and a visit to the bath with a broom made of prickly branches increase libido.

What is useful for men

The same tincture for alcohol helps men from impotence, a decoction of berries has a similar effect. After using such a remedy, depression recedes, which is also important for sexual dysfunction.

During massage of the pelvis, it is also recommended to use juniper essential oil - it improves blood circulation.

The benefits of berries, bark and root of the plant

Juniper berries have the greatest value. This is a real storehouse of nutrients. They found essential oils, vitamins, trace elements, and even a pleasant smell in addition.

• Berries are widely used in cooking, making seasonings from them and adding to alcoholic beverages. But most importantly, they are widely used in folk medicine. They are also in demand in cosmetology.
• The root of the coniferous plant contains tannins and diterpene alcohols, which have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.
• Juniper bark and needles are rich in essential oils. The bark also contains useful resins and tannins. With the help of juniper branches, they purify the air in the house, relieve it of harmful microbes.
• The crushed bark is placed in special pillows and rollers, with the help of which they alleviate the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. If you are lucky enough to buy dishes from juniper, you will notice that the products in it are kept fresh for a long time.

Application in traditional medicine

In folk medicine, juniper is used very widely:

1. In diseases of the respiratory system as an expectorant. Sputum, thanks to a decoction of berries, liquefies and easily leaves.
2. With gout, arthritis and rheumatism, take a bath with juniper, rubbed the joints with essential oil.
3. With stress and nervous exhaustion, the berries have a relaxing and tonic effect.
4. In the prevention and treatment of gallstone disease, berries are taken - this normalizes the outflow of bile.
5. During the period of mass illnesses with influenza and SARS, the intake of fruits, the use of oil in an aromatic lamp or even a simple burning of juniper branches will protect against infection.
6. Tea with juniper helps with cold sores - it contains both volatile and antiviral substances.
7. In case of digestion, flatulence, painful colic in the intestine, alcohol tincture is taken (25 drops 3 times a day).
8. With pharyngitis, gargling with a decoction or infusion of juniper turn out to be healing.
9. In case of kidney and bladder disease, a collection is used, which, in addition to juniper berries, includes mint leaves, elderberry flowers, as well as goldenrod and quince seeds. The broth is consumed three times a day for 1 to 2 months.

It is only important not to abuse the treatment, since juniper is to some extent a poisonous plant.

Juniper essential oil: benefits and harms

The oil obtained from juniper berries contains a lot of useful components. Already talked about tannins and organic acids, and it also includes iron, copper, manganese and aluminum.

Phytoncides have a beneficial effect on air. It is no coincidence, listing the advantages of resorts, in the event that juniper groves grow there, this fact is certainly mentioned in advertising booklets. The air in such places becomes fresh, clean, there are no harmful bacteria in it, it is truly healing. Even animals come to where juniper grows to gain strength.And in the primitive tribes of the sick, it was customary to bring this bush to the thickets and leave there until relief comes.

Juniper oil has a number of beneficial properties. It contributes to the normal outflow of bile, clears the bronchi from accumulated sputum, disinfects, improves digestive processes, the lymph flow becomes optimal, energy returns and sleep is normalized.

But oil should not be taken:

• during an exacerbation of kidney disease;
• at elevated pressure;
• with allergies to conifers.

Anyway, before starting treatment of any diseases in an acute form, it is better to consult a specialist.

Important: pregnant women should not be treated with juniper. In the early stages, it can provoke a miscarriage, and in the later stages it can cause bleeding.

How to use the plant in cosmetology

Juniper oil is widely used in cosmetology. It is used in the treatment of cellulite and added to the composition of anti-wrinkle products. And it can make scars and stretch marks less noticeable.

It just works great oil on oily problem skin.

• It kills harmful bacteria.
• Relieves inflammatory processes.
• Tones up the skin, which takes on a fresh and healthy appearance.
• Tightens pores, skin becomes drier.

It makes sense for young girls to buy juniper oil and add it a few drops to their favorite cream. But for ladies of elegant age, juniper brings a lot of benefits. With its regular use, the skin becomes more elastic and elastic, and the face looks younger.

Juniper oil can be used to lubricate cold sores on the lips - ugly rashes will disappear faster.

It is only important that the product does not fall into the tongue.

Oil is successfully added to cosmetics for hair. With its regular use, the hair roots are strengthened, they themselves fall out less often, dandruff disappears.

And if you take foot baths with the addition of juniper oil, you can get rid of fungal diseases, unpleasant odors and sweating.

Contraindications

Juniper is a poisonous plant. Therefore, before starting treatment, you need to know the exact dosage and in no case exceed it.

With great care, juniper should be used by people who are allergic to any plants. And diseases of the kidneys and bladder with the help of juniper oil can be treated only in a chronic form.

An absolute contraindication to the use of funds based on juniper is pregnancy.

Here he is, the common juniper - a true healer, a good helper of man for many centuries. Meet, use, respect and be sure that this plant will provide you with invaluable benefits.