Evergreen juniper belongs to the Cypress family. The coniferous plant is popular in landscaping, and its berries are used in folk medicine and not only. Read more about this in the article.

Is it possible to eat juniper berries

In Russia, the plant is distributed in Siberia and Transbaikalia, in the Urals and the Caucasus, in the north and in the central regions of the European part.

Several species grow in our latitudes:

• Ordinary;
• Daursky;
• Cossack.

Virginian, rocky, and several other species adapted to the culture. Of all the above, only the fruits of common juniper are edible. Berries of other varieties contain toxic substances hazardous to health.

Edible Fruit Differences

Juniper fruits are actually bumps.

Edible specimens can be recognized by such signs:

• shape: spherical;
• diameter: 6–9 mm;
• the presence of a furrow with three rays in the upper part;
• dark-blue colour;
• flesh: brown-green with three seeds.

The fruits have a bright and pleasant aroma, the taste is sweet-tart, with a soft aftertaste.

Norms of use

Cones are saturated with ethers and resins, therefore they cannot be used uncontrollably. Raw berries can be eaten as a preventative measure to 6–8 pieces. There are cases when, for medicinal purposes, the amount was increased to 60 pieces, but this is subject to the supervision of the attending physician. The norm of dried berries is not much more, more often therapeutic and preventive drinks are prepared from them.

Important! It is not worthwhile to conduct experiments on your own, internal bleeding, fainting, nausea and vomiting, and other negative symptoms are possible.

When to collect

The collection of raw materials is carried out from August to October, at which time the cones acquire a dark blue color and the maximum concentration of nutrients. To pick each berry from the bush is too long and tiring, so the pickers lay out a cloth or film under the bush and shake off the crop. After this, the raw materials must be sorted, plant waste removed. It is advisable to collect and clean it with gloves, since the coloring pigments are poorly washed from the skin of the hands.

The product is usually dried at home. This is best done naturally in a well-ventilated area. When using household appliances, the fetus wrinkles greatly. Dried raw materials are stored for up to 3 years in glass containers or paper bags in a dry place.

Composition and calorie content

The berries of the coniferous plant do not contain a lot of proteins or fats, so the calorie content is low - 116 kcal / 100 g.

The chemical composition of the product:

• pectins;
• organic acids - valerianic, formic, salicylic, acetic, malic, succinic;
• flavonoids;
• tannins;
• carbohydrates;
• resins;
• essential oils;
• salts of minerals - iron, aluminum, copper and manganese;
• vitamin C.

Beneficial features

The juniper's ability to isolate volatile and purify the air from harmful impurities led to the frequent use of culture in urban landscaping. In addition, evergreen shrubs and trees are planted in sanatoriums and boarding houses, rest homes. The benefits of fruits saturated with organic acids are manifested in many situations (see below for details). Berries contain a record amount of 250 mg of ascorbic acid, which is twice as much as the daily intake.

• Given other components, the product has a wide range of effects on the human body:
• antibacterial;
• antiseptic;
• antihistamine;
• astringent;
• diuretic;
• choleretic;
• antipyretic;
• diuretic;
• painkiller;
• restorative;
• expectorant;
• cleansing;
• anti-inflammatory;
• tonic;
• sedative.

The fruit is used in various fields of life and life. Their medicinal properties are used in medicine and cosmetology, aroma - in men's perfumes.

Contraindications

Prolonged use of a medicinal product can cause harm. Over time, active substances accumulate in the body, oversaturating it and causing poisoning. Usually, after two months of using fruit-based preparations, they take a break.

• There are also contraindications for use:
• acute form of kidney and urinary tract disease;
• age up to 6 years;
• exacerbation of gastrointestinal ulcer;
• acute phase of gastritis and colitis.

Important! You can not use medicinal raw materials during pregnancy - the product has an abortive property.

Application in traditional medicine

Given how many useful properties are in the juniper cones, it is not surprising that they are used in the treatment of a large number of diseases. In folk recipes there are tools that help with problems with internal organs, the musculoskeletal system. Fruit-based preparations are used internally and externally. With the help of compresses and lotions get rid of problems with the skin and not only.

Prostatitis

Prostate adenoma is a common occurrence among men after 40 years. One of the factors provoking the disease is a sedentary lifestyle. At the same time, the arteries that carry blood to the pelvic organs, capillaries located in the prostate are pinched. Reception of juniper preparations normalizes blood circulation in the prostate gland. The development of the disease can also provoke infections and injuries in the groin area that damaged the lymph node. The coniferous agent kills bacteria and microbes, accelerates the regeneration of cells and tissues.

This is not the only benefit for men. From the berries prepare an infusion in water or alcohol to increase potency. The product improves the quality of sexual life, increases sperm activity. Men working in the heavy industry, in contact with toxic substances, can use bumps to cleanse the body.

Prescription for the treatment of prostatitis:

1. Pour boiled water (0.5 l) into one tablespoon of dried raw materials.
2. Put in a water bath.
3. Boil for 10 minutes.
4. Strain and bring the liquid with boiled water to a volume of 0.5 l.
5. Take 50 ml, three times a day, 30 minutes before eating.

Edema

Initially, in the presence of swelling of the body, face or limbs, one should understand the reasons.

The problem can occur with a number of diseases of the internal organs and musculoskeletal system:

• heart
• liver
• kidney
• thyroid gland;
• veins and arteries;
• joints and cartilage.

Plant collection helps to get rid of edema, if vascular obstruction is reduced, there is a problem with removing excess fluid, water-salt balance disturbances are diagnosed. To resolve the painful situation, a decoction is prepared.

Ingredients:

• crushed cones;
• green birch buds;
• lingonberry, bearberry, mint foliage;
• elecampane root;
• flowers cornflower field.

Components taken in equal parts are mixed. 1 tbsp. l the mixture is poured with 200 ml of boiling water and boiled over low heat for 10 minutes. Chilled and filtered broth drink 2 tbsp. 6 times a day.

Cough and Cold

With a cold, it is important to "shake" the body's defenses and get rid of the infection. Vitamin C, which is involved in the production of antibodies and creates an unbearable environment for foreign cells, is doing a great job with the first task. Also useful are volatile and flavonoids, essential oils in the composition of berries. If there is a tickle in the throat and cough, the drug will provide relief of pain in the sternum and larynx. Its astringent property will help to remove sputum from the respiratory system.

For treatment, prepare syrup:

1. Squeeze juice from a glass of berries.
2. Mix with 1 tbsp. honey.
3. Take 1 tbsp. three times a day after meals.

Pressure

With hypertension, doctors prescribe several groups of drugs - vasodilator, diuretic and sedative. Fruits have all of these properties and can be used as an adjuvant along with therapeutic drugs. Berry medicine is prepared on the basis of crushed dried fruits (1 tsp). The powder is poured with boiled water, and insisted for 2 hours. Drink 1 tbsp. thrice a day.

Did you know? At home, juniper cones can dye the fabric in a bright green color.

Diabetes

The main cause of the disease is an increased level of sugar in the blood, the inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin. With a hereditary disease, bacteria or infections can provoke the activity of diabetes. Juniper fruits have antibacterial and antioxidant properties. In the composition of organic acids, with which cones are saturated, there are enzymes that normalize the amount of sugar.

Infusion Recipe:

1. For cooking, take a jar (3l), pour over boiling water.
2. Pour whole berries (0.5 kg) with spring water (3 l).
3. Add sliced ​​lemon to the bowl.
4. Insist 5 days.
5. Take 100 ml twice daily.

Digestive organs

• With gastrointestinal diseases, a herbal remedy has a number of useful actions:
• Improves intestinal motility.
• Normalizes the composition of microflora.
• Reduces the acidity of gastric juice.
• Relieves inflammation of the mucous membranes.
• Destroys putrefactive bacteria.

For treatment and prevention, take 1 hour jam from cones. A sweet treat is prepared according to the five-minute principle. Ready jam can be rolled up in a jar. Please note that you can eat no more than 2-3 tsp per day, since the sweetness is saturated with active substances.

Kidney stones and cystitis

To remove sand or stones, diuretics are needed, of which the juniper fruit is. In addition, the product-based drug has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, which should also be considered when treating cystitis.

Often, product-based products help women get rid of gynecological diseases of an inflammatory, bacterial and infectious nature. In addition, raw materials help to normalize the hormonal background, reduce the symptoms of PMS.

The cystitis medicine is prepared from a mixture of components:

• clover and horsetail grass - 50 g;
• wheatgrass root - 50 g;
• dried cones of juniper - 50 g;
• birch leaves - 75 g;
• chamomile flower, black elderberry - 75 g;
• rose hips and hawthorn - 150 g.

The mixture is poured with boiling water 0.5 l, insist hour. Drink 50 ml three times a day, half an hour before meals.

Gout

For pain with gout and rheumatism, oil from the fruits of the coniferous plant is applied externally; baths with broth or essential oils help well.

For use inside prepare tincture:

1. Dry cones (1 tbsp. L.) Pour 100 ml of alcohol (vodka needs 250 ml).
2. The container is placed in a warm place for 10 days.
3. Every day you need to shake the tincture.
4. Then strain and drink 10 drops, diluted with water, twice a day, morning and evening.

Culinary application

Berries are used to prepare a sauce or marinade for game to kill a peculiar smell. Syrup is used in the preparation of sweets - mats, marmalade and marshmallows. Jam and jam are prepared from cones, which are added to the topping to give a special taste. Marinades are prepared for smoking fish and meat.

Fruits are an ingredient in various soft drinks:

• kvass;
• fruit drink;
• juice and jelly from wild berries.

In the culinary of different countries, the product is used in its own way:

1. In Poland, the sauce is added to vegetable salads.
2. In France, marinade goes to baked potato and game dishes.
3. In Germany, berries are added to sauerkraut and cucumbers.
4. In the Scandinavian countries and England they are more often used in the production of alcohol.

Did you know? According to popular beliefs, a dream juniper bush predicts wealth and good fortune in business.

Benefits in cosmetology

The cosmetics industry often uses herbal products for the manufacture of medicinal and decorative products.

Essential oils, antioxidants and acids, which are rich in fruits, have caused a wide range of raw materials in cosmetic preparations:

1. Face creams narrow pores, normalize the work of sebaceous glands. They cleanse, moisturize and nourish the skin, eliminate acne.
2. Scrubs have a cleansing effect, removing dead skin cells of the upper layer of the dermis, thereby improving the complexion. Means applied by massage movements promote blood flow to the skin.
3. Masks tighten the contour of the face, reduce facial wrinkles, saturate with useful elements.
4. Shampoo and balm improves the structure of the hair, nourishes it along its entire length, strengthens the follicles. The hair looks healthy, shiny and well-groomed.
5. Medicines fight baldness, dandruff, stimulate hair growth.
6. A mask for the scalp slows down the aging process of the follicles, thereby inhibiting graying.

The benefit of the coniferous product is undeniable, but do not abuse the remedies. With self-growing on your own site, in addition to medicinal raw materials, you will receive a natural air purifier.