2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Juniper / Juniperus / is a shrub / small tree / of the Cypress family. It is thought to have existed on earth for about 50 million years. The appearance of juniper resembles a cypress. Under favorable conditions, juniper lives an extremely long period of time. It grows in dry soil, on plains and forests, in semi-mountainous massifs and swamps.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the small tree was considered the safest cure for snake bites. The Romans added crushed fruit to their wine and drank it for liver disease and as a good diuretic. In Russia, juniper bark was once used to make dishes. These containers do not break for a long time, and the milk stored in them does not sour even on a very hot day.
Black juniper berries are a favorite fruit of birds such as blackbirds, pheasants and bustards. It is interesting why these birds eat juniper berries - only their digestive enzymes are able to process the fruit so that the seeds germinate.
Juniper can be grown effortlessly at home. The sapling is planted in dry soil with southern exposure. You should know that the bush begins to bear fruit after a few years. It has been found that it does not bloom or bear fruit annually, and that it often does not grow for years. The fruits of juniper, which grows in the heat, have the greatest healing value.
Composition of juniper
Juniper contains between 0.5-2% essential oil, 30% invert sugar, flavonoids, bitter glycosides, organic acids, resins, waxes, tannins. There are terpenes in juniper essential oil. Juniper berries contain fatty and essential oils, acetic, formic and malic acids, juniper camphor, potassium and calcium salts, vitamin C, bitter and resinous substances, ricin, tannin, glucose, manganese.
Collection and storage of juniper
Juniper grows singly or in groups on dry and stony slopes, rocks and bushes. Not found in the plains. The fleshy fruits of the juniper are picked in the autumn / September-November /. Dried juniper berries can also be found in pharmacies and specialty stores. Essential oil is also extracted from juniper.
Benefits of juniper
In ancient times, juniper berries were used as a very good hygroscopic and antiseptic. They stimulate blood circulation, relax blood vessels, cleanse the intestines and stomach, lungs and blood. They have a very good diuretic effect, strengthen the stomach and increase metabolism.
Crushed fruit tea juniper is useful for strengthening the stomach and intestines, for strengthening the immune system, for excretion of salt and urine in gout and rheumatism. Medicinal tea enhances the excretory functions of the body in obesity and edema.
Conducting a course of treatment with juniper berries has a beneficial effect on the stomach, with bloated intestines, to excrete more water from the body, to strengthen the immune system. For this purpose, chew fruits for 12 days juniper, chewing four on the first day, and increasing the number by one each day.
Juniper essence is a good remedy for rheumatism, pimples, eczema, peeling skin. For this purpose, 500 g of fruit are left to stand between 8 days and 2 weeks in 2 liters of vinegar or lemon juice. Stir the mixture well every day, finally strain it. The resulting essence is applied to the affected area of skin.
Juniper removes puffiness, is useful against dermatitis and toothache. It is a good remedy for cellulite, eliminates inflammation of the lungs and bronchi, improves heart function. Helps with colic and constipation.
In gastric ulcer is recommended a decoction of the roots of juniper. 1 tbsp. chopped roots are flooded with 100 ml. boiling water. The mixture is boiled for about 20 minutes in a covered vessel. It stays that long, is filtered and drunk three times a day before meals.
Juniper oil is used to calm the nerves, relieve various anxiety conditions, mental exhaustion and nervous tension. It is useful for an enlarged prostate gland. The oil tones the liver and regulates the menstrual cycle. It goes very well with cedar oil, cypress, geranium, grapefruit, lemongrass, sage, bergamot and lime.
Harm from juniper
Excessive use of juniper berries damages the kidneys. Therefore, the recommended amount should not be exceeded. In pregnancy and renal failure, juniper is contraindicated. The courses of treatment with juniper should not exceed 6 weeks.
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