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
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
In cases of dyspepsia, juniper acts on digestion and helps reduce flatulence and colic.
Posologie
Oral use: fruit, buds, leaf
gemmotherapy, mother tincture, aqueous decoction
Urinary tract infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Juniper is highly recommended for cystitis.nnThe EMA indicates that the berries are used for minor urinary tract conditions.nn
Posologie
Oral use: fruit, buds, leaf
gemmotherapy, mother tincture, aqueous decoction
Joint pain ✪✪✪✪✪
Juniper helps eliminate uric acid (uricosuric effect) and other toxins responsible for joint pain.nnThe essential oil is anti-inflammatory, and when applied topically it may relieve sprains, tendinitis and other musculoskeletal pains.nn
Posologie
Topical, oral: fruit, buds, leaf
essential oil, gemmotherapy, mother tincture
Liver disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Thanks to its hepatoprotective properties, the young shoots of juniper are indicated for liver problems such as hepatitis, steatosis and cirrhosis.nn
Posologie
Oral use: 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 due in part to the essential oil and in part to hydrophilic constituents. nnThe significance of juniper's diuretic effects is unclear, because some animal studies show that juniper aqueous extract is no more effective than water at increasing urine volume, while other animal studies only show significant effects at higher concentrations.nn
Usages associés
Antibacterial
The juniper berry has demonstrated antibacterial effects in vitro. Juniper berries showed activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and H. alvei. A juniper leaf extract appears to have greater antibacterial activity than ethanol, methanol, and chloroform extracts.nn
Usages associés
Analgesic
Juniper appears to have some antinociceptive activity and probably acts both peripherally and centrally. nnIn animal research, a methanolic extract of juniper showed a dose-dependent effect on the writhing response. In addition, in mice, intravenous administration of a lyophilized aqueous juniper extract produced a 178% analgesic response, measured by thermal stimuli.nn
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
The juniper fruit has been tested in the laboratory and was shown to be able 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 given orally to rats, it significantly reduced paw swelling caused by a substance called carrageenan. In fact, the juniper extract decreased swelling by 60%, which is even more effective than indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug, which reduced swelling by 45% in that study.
Usages associés
Hepatoprotective
Juniper has demonstrated hepatoprotective effects in animal research. Compared with rats receiving a placebo, rats receiving juniper and then exposed to CCl4 (a toxic agent) had less pronounced increases in serum levels of liver enzymes. Ethanol and aqueous extracts of juniper may be effective.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
In animals, juniper berries appear to reduce blood glucose. They act mainly by increasing peripheral glucose uptake.
Safe dosage
Adults aged 18 and over: 2 g (infusion, mother tincture, liquid extract)
Herbal tea: 2 g of the crushed or powdered plant material in boiling water as an infusion, 2-3 times a day.nnTincture: 1-2 ml 3 times a day.nnGemmotherapy: between 15 and 30 drops depending on the preparation.nn
Interactions
Médicaments
Antidiabetic medications: moderate interaction
Juniper may lower blood glucose (blood sugar). Taking juniper with antidiabetic medications may cause hypoglycemia. These antidiabetic drugs include: glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase) and others.
Diuretics: low interaction
Taking juniper with diuretics may cause excessive loss of body water. Excessive water loss can cause 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: avoid
Safety during breastfeeding has not been established.nn
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 lower blood glucose (blood sugar). They may cause hypoglycemia (abnormally low blood sugar) in people with diabetes. Use with caution.
Low blood pressure: use with caution
Juniper berries may affect blood pressure and complicate its control.
Contraindications
Pregnancy: contraindicated
Juniper's effects on the uterus may interfere with fertility or cause miscarriage. Juniper is not recommended for pregnant women or those trying to conceive.
