Juniper Berries: All You Need To Know About The ‘Boughs Of The Supernatural’
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Although termed as berries due to the appearance of the juniper cone that looks like a bluish-black mini pine cone, Juniper is an intensely aromatic herb from an evergreen plant that grows in temperate regions of Asia, Northern Europe, and North America. The most popular usage of Juniper Berries is to flavour drinks (especially gin), cook, and preserve food. They have a bitter, citrusy flavour profile and a piny, aromatic odour. Although there is inadequate scientific evidence about the clinical benefits of Juniper Berries, they are believed to cure several ailments in ancient times.

USES OF JUNIPER

· Juniper oil for treatment of skin conditions like acne and eczema

· Crushed Juniper Berries for marinating meats and sauces

· Juniper tea for diuretic and digestive benefits

· Juniper berry syrup for flavouring drinks

· Flavouring baked goodies, frozen dairy desserts, and pickling food

MEDICINAL BENEFITS

It is widely believed that Juniper extract was used to treat severe ailments like snake bites, tuberculosis, bladder infections, and many more. Juniper Berries have diuretic benefits, increasing urine output, flush out toxins from the bladder and lower blood pressure levels. It also has antibiotic properties and is believed to induce digestion. Juniper oil is also used to improve skin health and treat skin conditions like eczema and acne.

SIDE EFFECTS

Although Juniper is believed to have numerous medicinal properties, various side effects keep people from using Juniper commonly. It is usually advised to do a patch test and observe the results 24 hours before using Juniper oil on the skin, as it usually causes irritation and rashes. Studies have found that excessive use of Juniper can also lead to kidney damage. Pregnant and lactating women and diabetic people are often advised to consult a doctor before consuming Juniper.

Also Read

There are about sixty to seventy species of Juniper; only Juniperus Communis type is edible. Apart from the culinary and medicinal properties, Juniper was generally used for its ritualistic properties, as mentioned in the Old Testament.