Purify with the juniper berry cure after Kneipp
Sebastian Kneipp is one of my role models regarding naturopathy:
"The means that the natural healing method claims are based on light, air, water, diet, rest and exercise in their various forms of application, things that, if present, can keep the healthy organism healthy and make it healthy again when it does is ill. "( Sebastian Kneipp )
Most of them associate Kneipp with hydrotherapy . That is not true. Kneipp also treated with medicinal plants and relatively strict "rules to life".
What would a juicy roast venison without juniper or even a fresh sauerkraut without the spicy berries? There is hardly a kitchen without these fruits, but many do not know the health benefits of this popular condiment.
Already in antiquity one knew about these advantages of the juniper and used beside the blue fruits also the branches of this evergreen shrub.
As a medicinal plant, the juniper has been used especially in urinary stones and gout, but also as a blood purifier. The prickly shrub has a typical columnar shape and belongs to the cypresses.
He prefers light forests and sunny heathland as a location and thrives quite well in this country. At a height of up to 10 meters in the fall he has heavily scented thick pear berries, which are used for healing purposes.
Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897), pastor and folk physician was the first who recommended the juniper berry for gout and rheumatism and is known since then as Wacholderbeer cure .
It is done by chewing juniper berries a weakened stomach activity and bloating remedy.
After Kneipp the Wocholder berry cure is applied as follows: 1st day: 4 berries, 2nd day: 5 berries ... Day 12: 15 berries. Then again reduce the amount of berries by one per day.
Due to its sweat and diuretic, but also blood purifying effect, it is therefore often used to cures that achieve a detoxification .
Juniper berry tea for detoxification
In this case, a so-called "flushing therapy" is applied, in which at least two liters of juniper berry tea must be drunk daily. It is important to make sure that such a cure should not last longer than 6 weeks, otherwise side effects may occur.
Any kind of juniper should be avoided in case of kidney disease and pregnancy.
The natural remedies of Pastor Kneipp are intended for the whole person. Mind, soul and body form a unity and can only harmonize with one another in a healthy state. His simple, comprehensible methods of achieving this unity and curing diseases are close to the people and therefore also to be regarded as folk medicine.
What are juniper berries?
Juniper berries are not actually berries at all. They are female seed cones that are native to juniper plants - a species of coniferous (Pinophyta) that is a cone-bearing plant or a tree. Juniper plants vary in appearance and can grow low and wide like a shrub or as tall as a tree. Their unique meaty, fused scales make them look like a berry, hence the name.
In addition to their slightly misleading name, juniper berries are also not a berry you would generally eat with breakfast, like blueberries (although they are similar in size). Instead, juniper berries are often used as a bitter spice. In fact, they give Gin its unmistakable flavor. Juniper berries are officially the only spice to come from a conifer tree. (2)
One of the main uses of these berries is in juniper berry essential oil . Known in folk medicine and some modern research as a natural antiseptic and antioxidant, the essential oil of juniper berries is a popular therapeutic oil. It is also one of the essential oils approved by the FDA for limited internal use. (3)
Nutritional background
There are many types of juniper berries-however, keep in mind that at least one is toxic. Edible juniper varieties include: (4)
Juniperus communis (The most used)
Syrian juniper
Alligator Juniper
Phoenician juniper
Peru chinensis
Greek juniper
Prickly juniper
California juniper
Because it is not consumed like traditional berries, there is not much information about the calories or vitamin content of juniper berries. However, just a little of the spice may well add to the bitter citrus kick you are looking to add to any dish.
Long before they were used in food, the Greeks used juniper berries as medicines and stimulants for Olympians. (5) Romans used them as less expensive pepper substitutes.
It's a good thing that juniper berry has been for so long because scientists are just beginning to find out how beneficial it can be as a natural remedy for various problems.
9 benefits of juniper berries
1. Relieve oxidative stress and help prevent disease
A big advantage of juniper berries is the antioxidants they contain. Antioxidants help your body prevent and fight disease because they relieve oxidative stress caused by too many free radicals in your system.
Juniper berries contain polyphenolic compounds known as bioflavonoids , or flavonoids. (6) These compounds are what give fruits and vegetables (and a few other foods) their antioxidant loads. In particular, 87 juniper berries have distinct antioxidant compounds, according to a chemical assessment. (7) these compounds appear to occur more frequently in mature berries than in immature varieties. (8th)
Perhaps most importantly, the activity of three key antioxidants in the body is encouraged by juniper berries: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. (9)
Problems with SOD are linked to ALS, Down syndrome, cancer and lung problems. Catalase and SOD both protect against damage from peroxide within the body, while glutathione peroxidase does the same and is associated with helping to prevent and treat cancer and heart disease. (10)
2. Natural antiseptic
The antibacterial and antifungal properties of juniper berries have passed the test of time - which is one reason why juniper berry essential oil is often suggested as a natural household cleanser. These berries have a compelling effect on many strains of bacteria and fungi. In fact, at least one study suggested they could be part of the treatment for skin and respiratory infections. (11, 12)
Juniper berry essential oil severely destroys candida fungus, which causes an infection responsible for a large laundry list of side effects. (13)
The essential oil also has bacteria to eliminate and reduce inflammation in the mouth as efficiently as chlorhexidine, a common tooth drug, but found without toxic side effects. (14)
Some findings suggest that juniper berry essential oil can also potentially kill bacteria that are resistant to common antibiotics. (15)
An extract from Syrian juniper berries from Turkey showed significant antibacterial activity in laboratory tests against various cells, the Gram-positive bacteria, including, Staphylococcus aureus . (16) Staph infections cause infections of the skin and subjects such as boils, and they can sometimes lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, cellulitis or bone infection.
Research has shown that another possible use of juniper berries as an antioxidant could be in foods and beverages. In addition, an ethanol extract of these berries has been shown to have significant antibacterial activity against Aspergillus niger, a black mold is commonly found on spoiled food. (17)
3. Improves skin diseases
A simple Google search shows that one of the most common uses for juniper berries, especially in essential oil form, is to treat skin problems, such as rash or eczema . The antioxidants they contain are probably a major reason that can be effective.
In a study of how animal healed wounds when treated with juniper berry essential oil, researchers discovered that two varieties of juniper berries displayed "remarkable wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities." (18) This suggests the ancient use of juniper berries as a skin healer has its roots in the scientific fact.
From a laboratory study in South Korea, it also seems possible that juniper berry extract might be able to help treat skin pigment disorders, such as vitiligo . (19)
The essential oil of juniper berries has also been used for some time to reduce the occurrence of cellulite , a harmless cosmetic problem involved in fatty deposits that are often found on the thighs, hips and buttocks. (20)
4. help improve digestion
Juniper berries have long been considered a digestive aid in folk medicine, but few studies have extensively studied these effects. a dairy cow study, however, found that the subjects did juniper berry essential oil feeding resulted in improved digestive behavior. (21)
Because they act as diuretics, juniper berries can help relieve bloating in some cases.
5. AIDS's restful sleep
Many natural health practitioners recommend juniper berry essential oil as a sedative and believe that it has a positive impact on brain chemistry, encouraging rest.
A study by Mie University's Graduate School of Medicine in Japan examined the effects of a therapeutic scent, including juniper berry essential oil as well as sandalwood, rose and orris, on insomniacs at the time of taking medications for the disorder.
Twenty-six of the 29 participants were able to decrease their medications and achieved restful sleep after the fragrance diffused during the night, and 12 individuals were completely stopped by the end of the study of their medication. (22)
May 6 be useful against certain cancers
Many herbs and foods that have significant antioxidant activity are being investigated for their potential effects on diseases such as cancer. So far, no human or animal studies have been looked at juniper berry's anti-cancer potential.
However, in a test environment, juniper berries essential oil or extract was found to cause apoptosis (cell death) in a drug-resistant strain of leukemia, HepG2 (liver cancer) cells, and p53 (neuroblastoma cells). (23, 24)
7. Good for the heart
Probably also due in part to its antioxidant properties, juniper berries can help improve heart function. For example, juniper berry essential oil has been shown to reduce high blood pressure in animal studies, it contains related to the antioxidants. (25) A similar study indicated the juniper berry's function as a natural diuretic (in its original or essential oil form) also contributes to the hypotensive effect. (26)
A study in rats found that juniper berry extracts could be useful in lowering high triglycerides . (27)
Juniper berries also called an "anti-cholinesterase agent." (28) This is important for heart function because anticholinesterase (natural or pharmaceutical) help build acetylcholine in the nervous system, which in turn can slow down heart activity, low blood pressure, increased blood flow and contractions of the heart induced.
Interestingly, the same remedies can also be used in some cases to treat digestive obstructions, myasthenia gravis and Alzheimer's disease . Currently, no studies have been conducted to investigate the interaction of juniper berries with the latter two conditions.
8. Can be included as part of a diabetes diet plan
Like many of the others, studies have linked juniper berries with diabetes treatment to laboratory and animal tests. The first results, however, seem promising.
An ethanol extract and a tea from juniper berries seem to have the potential to reduce high blood sugar in diabetic rats. (29, 30)
Juniper berry essential oil also seems to limit the amount of malondialdehyde produced by animal body. (31) Although malondialdehyde's role in diabetes is not fully understood, its concentration is much higher in people with diabetes (and cancer). (32, 33)
9. help treat leishmaniasis may
It is possible that a new use of juniper berries could be the treatment of the parasite that causes leishmaniasis, a disease commonly contracted in tropical regions and southern Europe. Laboratory tests showed very strong results of an extract of juniper berries against the parasites. (34)
How to find Use juniper berries in cooking
Many health food stores carry juniper berries in the spice section. These spicy, rich berries can either be bought dried or fresh and whole or crushed. Many sources suggest that they taste meat dishes especially well. (35)
For the most pungent taste, try using fresh berries crush in front of them in a sauce or marinade. You can also try them, but over cooking roasting the bitterness will pull out and make the berries inedible. (36)
As I mentioned, juniper berry essential oil is also a popular way to gain the benefits of juniper berries. As always, make sure you only purchase food grade, 100 percent essential oil from reputable sellers.
Precautions
While juniper berries are generally safe for most people, there are some precautions and medical interactions to consider.
First, pregnant women should never consume juniper berries whole or essential oil form, as they may possibly cause harm to the unborn child or force uterine contractions. Juniper is also not recommended for those with poor kidney function. (37)
It is possible to develop an allergic reaction to juniper berries that could manifest with the skin problems (such as a rash) or breathing problems. If you experience any of these conditions after using juniper berries, discontinue use and consult your doctor immediately.
Juniper berries can also interact negatively with certain drugs, according to a 2014 study. The berries appear to inhibit a drug-metabolizing enzyme in the human body known as CYP3A4. (38) This enzyme metabolizes about half of the drugs in the pharmaceutical market, while the other half of the drugs actually inhibit the enzyme.
It's a fairly extensive list of drugs that could result in toxicity when taken in conjunction with juniper berries. If you are taking medications, you should first consult with your doctor before using juniper berries or juniper berry essential oil. (39)
Final thoughts
Juniper berries are the aromatic cones used by conifers to make traditional essential oils in many German recipes and juniper berries.
Because they have a large amount of antioxidants, juniper berries have a long list of health benefits.
Juniper berries Consuming can help prevent serious diseases, kill bacteria, improve the appearance of the skin, treat insomnia and even kill the parasites that causes leishmaniasis.
Juniper berries are also a useful supplement to the diet for people at risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
If buying juniper berries (or their oil), be sure to buy only from reputable sellers.
If you are pregnant or reduce kidney function, you should not consume juniper berries.
People on medication should consult with their attending physician before eating juniper berries or with the essential oil as they may interact negatively with activated drugs through the enzyme CYP3A4.
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