Juniper: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Juniper berry, Common Juniper
Scientific name(s)
Juniperus communis
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Flavonoids
Potassium
Apigenin
Rutin
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
In cases of dyspepsia, juniper aids digestion and helps reduce flatulence and colics.
Posologie
Orally: fruit, buds, leaf
gemmotherapy, mother tincture, aqueous decoction
Urinary tract infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Juniper is highly recommended for cystitis. EMA indicates that the berries are used for minor urinary tract conditions.
Posologie
Orally: fruit, buds, leaf
gemmotherapy, mother tincture, aqueous decoction
Joint pain ✪✪✪✪✪
Juniper can help eliminate uric acid (uricosuric effect) and other toxins responsible for joint pain. The essential oil is anti-inflammatory, and topically, it could relieve sprains, tendinitis, and other musculoskeletal pains.
Posologie
Cutaneous, Oral: fruit, buds, leaf
essential oil, gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Liver disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Thanks to its hepato-protective properties, juniper's young shoots are indicated for liver problems: hepatitis, steatoses, and cirrhosis.
Posologie
Orally: buds, leaf
gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Properties
Diuretic
The diuretic action of juniper has been attributed to 4-terpineol. However, some animal research suggests that the diuretic effect is partly due to the essential oil and partly to hydrophilic constituents. The significance of juniper's diuretic effects is unclear, as some animal studies show that juniper aqueous extract is no more effective than water in increasing urine volume, while other animal research only shows significant effects at higher concentrations.
Usages associés
Antibacterial
Juniper berry has demonstrated antibacterial effects in vitro. Juniper berries have shown activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and H. alvei. An extract of juniper leaves appears to have greater antibacterial activity than ethanol, methanol, and chloroform extracts.
Usages associés
Analgesic
Juniper seems to have some anti-nociceptive activity, potentially acting both peripherally and centrally. In animal research, a methanolic extract of juniper showed a dose-dependent effect on the writhing response. Additionally, intravenous administration of a lyophilized aqueous extract of juniper in mice produced a 178% analgesic response, as measured by thermal stimuli.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Juniper fruit has been tested in the laboratory and shown to block the release of certain chemicals involved in inflammation, such as prostaglandins and a substance that activates blood platelets. When a juniper extract was orally given to rats, it significantly reduced paw edema caused by a substance called carrageenan. In fact, juniper extract decreased swelling by 60%, which is even more effective than indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug, which reduced swelling by 45% in this study.
Usages associés
Hepato-protective
Juniper has demonstrated hepato-protective effects in animal research. Compared to rats receiving a placebo, rats receiving juniper and then exposed to CCl4 (a toxic product) had less pronounced increases in liver enzyme levels. Ethanol and aqueous extracts of juniper may be effective.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
In animals, juniper berries appear to lower blood sugar levels. They primarily work by increasing the peripheral uptake of glucose.
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 2 g (infusion, mother tincture, liquid extract)
Herbal tea: 2 g of crushed or powdered plant substance in boiling water as an infusion, 2-3 times a day. Tincture: 1-2 ml 3 times a day. Gemmotherapy: between 15 and 30 drops depending on the preparation.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antidiabetics: moderate interaction
Juniper may reduce blood glucose levels. Taking juniper with antidiabetic medications might cause hypoglycemia. These antidiabetics include: glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase) and others.
Diuretics: minor interaction
Taking juniper with diuretics might cause excessive water loss in the body. Excessive water loss can lead to dizziness and an excessive drop in blood pressure. These diuretics include: chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide) and others.
Precautions
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Safety during breastfeeding has not been established.
Children up to 18 years: avoid
Use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age has not been established due to a lack of adequate data. Avoid use.
Type 2 diabetes: use with caution
Juniper berries may reduce blood glucose levels. They could cause hypoglycemia (abnormally low) in diabetic individuals. Use with caution.
Hypotension: use with caution
Juniper berries may affect blood pressure and complicate its control.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: prohibited
The effects of juniper on the uterus could interfere with fertility or cause miscarriage. Juniper is not recommended for pregnant women or those seeking to conceive.
