Juniper is a beautiful coniferous plant that is used not only to decorate the landscape, but also used in folk medicine. Read about what beneficial properties a culture has and what diseases it can help cure. Read on.

Plant description

Juniper (lat. Juniperus) is an evergreen coniferous shrub or tree that belongs to the Cypress family. Under natural conditions forms light forests. They consist of juniper trees reaching 15 m of growth. Shrubs and smaller specimens of this genus grow in mixed and coniferous forests.

Did you know? For a day, 1 hectare of juniper plantings evaporates up to 30 kg of phytoncides into the air, which are able to clear bacteria of an area equal to a large metropolis.

Juniper has a wide distribution area. It grows from the Arctic to subtropical mountainous regions. The plant develops well in light areas, with light, nutritious soil. Juniper is resistant to droughts and is able to withstand temperatures as low as –25 ° C.

Culture can be propagated in the following ways:

• layering;
• cuttings;
• by seeds;
• vaccinated.

Juniper tree has a spreading crown, which can be tiered. Its diameter reaches 2.5 m. The bark - has a vertically flaky structure, its color is dark gray.There are many varieties of culture.

Juniper decorative species are planted in gardens and parks with the aim of landscaping and purifying the air of pathogenic bacteria, because the plant exudes a pleasant, coniferous aroma containing volatile. The fruits of the plant are used in medicine.

Decoctions and infusions are prepared from them, which are used as adjunctive therapy for diseases of the respiratory system, nervous system, dermatitis, etc. The fruits are used in culinary art. They are added to dishes as a spice.

The benefits and harms to the health of women and men

Juniper-based products benefit both the male and female bodies. Due to the fact that the plant contains flavonoids, organic acids, pectin, tannins and resins, it is used for diseases of the pelvic organs.

• It is useful for women to take decoctions based on juniper fruits with the goal of:
• elimination of delays of the menstrual cycle;
• increased blood flow to the pelvic organs;
• elimination of symptoms of menopause (hot flashes, irritability, insomnia);
• elimination of candidiasis.

Men taking juniper-based drugs can cope with such a problem as prostatitis, because the drug not only enhances blood flow to the pelvic organs, but also helps to cope with the inflammatory process inside the body.

Despite the benefits of juniper, its improper use can cause unwanted reactions of the body. For instance, if you take decoctions and infusions in excess of the norm, then a person may experience heartburn and nausea. You should also be careful about plant-based preparations for people prone to allergic reactions.

Important! If, after taking the drug based on juniper, there are such manifestations as a rash, swelling and itching, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Medicinal properties and application in traditional medicine

• Preparations based on different parts of juniper have the following properties:
• anti-inflammatory;
• antimicrobial;
• diuretic.

In the preparation of medicines use seeds, and needles, and fruits of juniper.

Seeds

Heather seeds have an oblong, trihedral shape. They are flattened laterally and have a length of up to 5 mm. Each seed contains an essential oil container. Peel on seeds hardened.

Medicinal decoctions are prepared from seeds.

Needles

The needles of trees and shrubs of the genus Juniper are not prickly. It has a green-yellow hue. Essential oil is isolated from the needles. It is used to treat diseases of the respiratory organs, the treatment of neurosis, etc. Also, needles are used to prepare decoctions, infusions and tinctures.

Tea from juniper needles helps the body strengthen immunity and protects against colds. It is also used to eliminate anxiety.

Preparation and use:

1. Pine needles in an amount of 30 g in a teapot.
2. Pour 200 ml of boiling water.
3. Insist 10 minutes
4. Drink with the addition of honey or sugar to taste 1-2 cups per day.

If such an infusion is very concentrated, then it can be added 50 ml to ordinary black tea.

Fruit

Juniper fruit in diameter reaches up to 9 mm. Their shape is spherical with slightly indented sides. The top of the berry has noticeable fused furrows - whorls. The surface of the fetus is smooth, matte blue. The berries of this plant can be purchased at the pharmacy.

They are used for the preparation of diuretic, antipyretic, choleretic drugs.

Decoctions and infusions of the fruit of the plant are used for diseases of the genitourinary system, respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract. They are also used as a remedy for neurosis and its manifestations, namely for insomnia, irritability, and depressive state. The broth perfectly copes with various rashes on the skin. It is used in the treatment of eczema, dermatitis, acne.

Joint diseases

For joint pain, oil and infusion of needles and fruits are used. Arthritis and rheumatism can occur from severe stress on the joints. Diseases are especially severe in those who work in the workplace and must daily lift weights, as well as in people who are obese.

Along with medical treatment, for diseases such as arthritis and rheumatism, you can use juniper oil, which is sold ready-made at a pharmacy or cosmetics store.

It is used externally in the form of compresses or by rubbing. It is better to use the grinding technique.

To do this, apply a few drops to the area of ​​the joint, which hurts, and rub in a slow circular motion until completely absorbed. Manipulations are performed daily 3-4 times until the pain disappears completely.

Juniper is also effective for gout, which manifests itself as a swelling on the leg bone. This disease is caused by an increase in the load on the lower limbs and an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood.

You can eliminate pain and swelling with gout with lotions from oil. To do this, a 4 × 4 cm gauze dressing should be moistened in juniper ether and applied to the tumor site for 20 minutes. This procedure must be repeated 2 times a day for 5 days.

Rash

An infusion of juniper berries is used as a tonic for the skin. It will help get rid of acne, and can also be used for dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction.

Preparation and use of infusion:

1. The crushed juniper fruits of 30 g are poured into a container.
2. Pour 200 ml of boiling water.
3. Cover and insist for 60 minutes.
4. Infusion to freeze.
5. Wipe the face skin with ice cubes in the morning and evening when acne appears.
6. In liquid form, moisten rashes with allergic dermatitis 3-4 times a day.

Important! Before using folk remedies on problem skin prone to the formation of ulcers, eczema and blackheads, you need to consult a dermatologist.

Also, in order to get rid of purulent blackheads, you can use the infusion of juniper needles.

To do this, you need:

• vodka 200 ml;
• needles of 100 g.

Preparation and use:

1. Pour crushed needles into a glass container and pour vodka.
2. Remove the container in a dark, cool place for 14 days.
3. After strain tincture and apply externally.
4. Lubricate acne with a cotton-gauze swab dipped in tincture 3 times a day until the pimple has completely dried and disappeared.

Depression, insomnia and neurosis

To get rid of insomnia and relieve nervous tension, it is necessary to prepare a decoction from a mixture of herbs.

To do this, take the following ingredients:

• chamomile 30 g;
• mint 30 g;
• lemon balm 30 g;
• chopped fruits of heather 30 g.

Did you know? In furniture made from juniper wood, moths never start.

Preparation and use of broth:

1. Boil 1 liter of water.
2. Pour a mixture of herbs.
3. Boil for 10 minutes.
4. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes.
5. Take 50 ml 3 times a day. The course of treatment is up to 10 days.

To get rid of depressive mood and relieve tension in the muscles, you need to take a bath with juniper infusion 3 times a week. Needles in an amount of 100 g are steamed in 500 ml of boiling water for 30 minutes.

Add the resulting infusion to the water and take the aroma bath for at least 30 minutes.

Digestive system diseases

As an adjunct therapy for stomach ulcers, a concentrated decoction of heather berries is used.

Preparation and use:

1. Boil 300 g of water.
2. Pour boiling water 40 g of crushed juniper fruits.
3. Boil for 20 minutes.
4. After insisting under a covered lid for 45 minutes.
5. Consume daily for 7 days before meals 3 times a day.

In order for food to be digested and absorbed faster by the body, juniper infusion is used before meals.

It is prepared from:

• water - 200 ml;
• chopped fruits - 30 g;
• honey - 40 ml.

Preparation and use:

1. Boil water and pour fruit into it.
2. Insist for 60 minutes.
3. Strain and stir with honey.
4. Take in 20 minutes. before meals 2 times a day for 7 days.

Respiratory diseases

Along with drug treatment for bronchitis and pneumonia, rubbing with a mixture of juniper and fir oils mixed in a 1: 1 ratio is effective. Rubbing is carried out before bed for 5 days.

When tracheitis with juniper oil, tonsils are lubricated, which helps to remove irritation and inflammation from the mucous membranes and prevents the spread of infection. The procedure is carried out 3 times a day an hour before meals, so as not to cause a gag reflex. Such therapy is carried out for 3-5 days.

Contraindications

• As with any drug used for healing purposes, products made on the basis of juniper needles, seeds or fruits have a number of contraindications:
• kidney inflammation;
• renal failure;
• the period of bearing a child;
• lactation;
• age to 18 years.

Juniper is a useful plant that is widely used in folk and traditional medicine. The fruits of the plant can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription and used according to the instructions.