Juniper Berry Overview
Juniper (Juniperus Communis) is a shrub that grows across North America, Europe and Asia. There are approximately sixty species of juniper worldwide, which grow primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. Juniper are often used in Traditional Medicine for:- cystitis
- renal congestion
- bladder and kidney problems
- urinary tract infections
General Information of Juniper Berry
The juniper berry grows on the juniper shrub from approximately September to December. Throughout history, the juniper berry has been used in Traditional Medicine practices by North American indigenous peoples to treat kidney stones, inflammation, and headaches, among other ailments. In traditional Swedish medicine, juniper fruit has been used to treat wounds and inflammatory diseases (DerMarderosian & Beutler 2004). Health benefits of juniper berry may include antibacterial properties, which make the herb effective at treating cystitis and infections of the bladder and urinary tract (Blumenthal et al 2000). The berry also has diuretic and antiseptic properties, and is high in antioxidants and vitamin C. The ethanolic extracts of the juniper herb have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects (Bradley 2006), while the presence of terpinen-4-ol, a volatile oil, is responsible for juniper’s diuretic effects. Health Canada (2019a) monograph acknowledges the use of juniper Herbal Medicine as a diuretic and as a urinary tract antiseptic to help relieve benign urinary tract infections.
What Is Juniper Berry Used for?
In The New Healing Herbs, author Michael Castleman writes that juniper is recommended “externally as an antiseptic and internally for bladder infections, arthritis, intestinal cramps, and gout.” Castleman also writes that juniper “contains terpinen-4-ol, a diuretic compound that increases the fluid-filtering rate of the kidneys. This supports the herb’s traditional role as a diuretic.” Juniper is also used in some culinary applications, most famously to flavour gin.
Uses & Effectiveness of Juniper Berry
Juniper’s antiseptic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties make it useful in Traditional and modern herbal medicine for:- cystitis
- renal congestion
- catarrh of the bladder
- the treatment of wounds and inflammatory diseases
- urinary tract infections
- bladder and kidney problems
Precautions of Juniper Berry
Long-term use of juniper should be avoided, as it can cause kidney problems and seizures. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take juniper. Because juniper may affect blood sugar and blood pressure, it should be avoided by those who have diabetes, have high blood pressure, and are planning to have or have recently had surgery. Individuals with stomach or intestinal disorders may find that juniper’s properties as an irritant worsen these disorders. (Source)
