In foods, juniper berry is often used as a condiment. The extract, oil, and berry are used as flavoring ingredients in foods and beverages. In manufacturing, juniper extract and oil are used as fragrances in soaps and cosmetics.
What are juniper berries good for?
Juniper berries or extract of the plant has traditionally been used as diuretic, anti-arthritis, anti-diabetes, antiseptic as well as for the treatment of gastrointestinal and autoimmune disorders.
Can humans eat juniper berries?
Yes, juniper berries are edible. In fact, you may have tasted them before without even knowing it if you drink alcoholic beverages. Juniper berries are what gives a gin martini its unique flavoring.
What are the side effects of juniper berry?
Using juniper on the skin can cause some side effects including irritation, burning, redness, and swelling. Avoid using it on large skin wounds. Taking juniper by mouth long-term or in a high dose is LIKELY UNSAFE as it can cause kidney problems, seizures, and other serious side effects.
What is the difference between juniper and juniper berry?
A juniper berry is the female seed cone produced by the various species of junipers. It is not a true berry, but a cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales, which gives it a berry-like appearance.
Is juniper berry good for the kidneys?
The Juniper Berry is rich in volatile oils, in particular terpinen-4-ol, which is reported to increase the rate of kidney filtration, which in turn increases urine flow whilst helping to flush out bacteria from the kidneys and bladder.
What juniper is toxic?
Savin Juniper is known to be toxic and potentially deadly poisonous if taken in large enough quantities. It can be difficult to accurately distinguish between different species of cultivated junipers because they have been bred to have unique features not present in their wild forms.
Who eats juniper berries?
Juniper berries are one of the top winter foods for many birds and mammals. Rabbits, foxes and most birds – turkeys, bluebirds, robins, chickadees and waxwings to name a few – covet the deep blue berries.
Can you drink juniper berry tea?
Dried juniper berries can be made into a delicious and healthy herbal tea.
Do juniper berries help with weight loss?
They are diuretic.
Since it eliminates water weight, Juniper berries can cause temporary weight loss. This doesn’t mean that you are losing fat. But if you have an event coming up in a few days, juniper berries can help get rid of that bloated look.
Is juniper berries good for your liver?
Both juniper berry oil and fish oil treatment improved rates of bile flow from 25 microL/g/h (corn oil) to 36 and 38 microL/g/h, respectively. Importantly, juniper berry oil reduced cell death in pericentral regions of the liver lobule by 75%.
Can juniper make you sick?
All juniper berries contain the powerful oil Thujone. This oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and kidney problems when ingested in large quantities. Certain varieties of juniper berry contain safe, low amounts of Thujone, while other varieties contain high levels and can make you very sick.
Is juniper good for skin?
In fact, Juniper Berry Oil is particularly good for acne-prone skin, along with Lavender Oil and Clary Sage Oil. Heal: Detoxifying and full of antioxidants, Juniper Berry Essential Oil is a natural healer.
What does juniper berry taste like?
What do they taste like? If you’ve ever tried gin you’ll have a fair idea of what juniper berries taste like, although the ones used for cooking are riper. They have a slightly piney flavor with a touch of both fruitiness and pepperiness.
What part of juniper is edible?
Edible Parts: The berries and twigs are edible but may be bitter and have a strong taste. Eat the berries raw or roast the seeds to use as a coffee substitute. Use dried and crushed berries as a seasoning for meat or as a spice (juniper berries are the primary flavoring in gin). Gather young twigs to make a tea.
Does juniper raise blood pressure?
High blood pressure, low blood pressure: Juniper berry might affect blood pressure and could make blood pressure control more difficult. Surgery: Juniper might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control more difficult during and after surgery. Stop using juniper at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Are juniper berries anti-inflammatory?
Juniper berries contain essential oils and flavonoids that offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
What medication does juniper use?
Juniper is an herb used to treat indigestion (dyspepsia), flatulence, heartburn, bloating, loss of appetite, urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney and bladder stones, snakebite, intestinal worms, gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, and cancer.
Is juniper a hallucinogen?
Although Juniperus species are used throughout the world for both ritual and medicinal purposes, only the species Juniperus recurva has a reputation for being psychoactive.
How do you know if juniper berries are safe?
Look for a plant with berries that appear blue on it in this open sunny area. The berries are a little smaller than regular blueberries and grown at the ends of the branches. You will smell a pine aroma that is very strong as you come closer to the juniper plant.
Can you buy fresh juniper berries?
You will most likely find them in the spices aisle, but they can also be in the dried goods aisle. Whole Foods (US) – At Whole Foods, you can also find juniper berries in a small sachet or jar. Kroger (US) – Kroger is yet another place where you can purchase juniper berries, both online and offline.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.