Juniper is a plant native to Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Although it is famous for its uses as a condiment, it has also become popular for its medicinal applications.
The juniper tree, whose scientific name is Juniperus communis , is a shrub native to Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. It belongs to the Cupressaceae family and it is estimated that there are between 60 and 70 species of its genus. It is also known as Juniperi fructus or “common juniper.”
Although it is often used as a flavoring for dishes and beverages, it stands out for its applications as a medicinal plant. And, as an article published in International Scholarly Research Notices exposes , it has antidiarrheal, astringent, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic activity. What are its benefits? In what cases is it contraindicated?
Juniper benefits
Juniper has been investigated in recent years due to its therapeutic potential against some diseases. And while the evidence is still limited, the findings are promising. An article published in the magazine Heliyon highlights that the plant contains substances such as the following:
Aromatic oils.
Inverted sugars.
Resins
Catechins.
Organic acids.
Terpenic acids.
Leukoanthocyanidin.
Alkaloids
Flavonoids.
Tannins
Rubbers.
Lignins.
Waxes
Because of this, both its berries and extracts appear to be useful as nutraceuticals. In particular, they have shown positive effects as adjuvants against digestive problems, kidney diseases and infections. Let’s see its benefits in detail.
1. It has antidiabetic properties
In traditional medicine, juniper berries are considered a supplement to control high blood glucose levels. In this regard, a study in animals determined that supplementation with juniper berry lowered blood sugar and increased levels of good cholesterol (HDL).
Although other studies are necessary, the researchers suggest that these effects are due to the high antioxidant content of the fruit. For now, it should not be considered a first-line treatment for diabetes.
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