Only those who are fortunate enough to visit the juniper forest can truly appreciate the cleanliness and extraordinary freshness of the air in it. That is why today in large cities this plant began to be used for landscaping and decoration.
Probably not everyone knows that juniper can clean not only the air, but also the human body. This is what he earned recognition throughout the world.
Description
Man has learned to use the beneficial properties of juniper for a long time. But how to distinguish this plant? This is a coniferous evergreen tree or shrub. Belongs to the cypress family. Height can reach eight meters. Most often grows in undergrowths next to mountain ash or buckthorn. The leaves are stiff, needle-shaped, bundled. The bottom of the leaf is green and shiny, and the top is yellowish with a white stripe.
Juniper: useful properties
This is a relic medicinal plant, which has been known to man since very ancient times. Then it was used to expel evil spirits. As a healing agent, the ancient Greeks and Egyptians began to use it. In the Middle Ages, during epidemics, it was used for fumigation of premises as a disinfectant. In ancient Egypt, they burned a plant and inhaled its vapors to cleanse the body. In North America, Indians treated them for skin diseases and open wounds, joints and bone diseases. For this patient was placed in dense thickets of juniper. In addition, it was used to treat plague and other infectious diseases.
Fruit use
Juniper is the most effective in its therapeutic effect.
ordinary. The popular names of this plant vary depending on the regions of our country: cereals, woodcuts, Yapovets, black grouse, ars, mesentery, etc.
Juniper fruits, the properties of which are time-tested, are used in the form of infusion, oil, decoction. To treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, angina pectoris, and genitourinary infections, an infusion of fruits from this wonderful plant is used. To do this, grind the berries, take one dessert spoon of fruit and brew a glass of boiling water.
Decoction
Suffering from kidney diseases, rheumatism, inflammation of the appendages, swelling should use a decoction of these magical fruits. The broth is prepared as follows: chop the fruit, take one tablespoon, pour cold water (250 ml) and let it brew for about eight hours, then boil them for about eight minutes and strain. Take one tablespoon of the broth three times a day before meals.
Juniper: useful properties and contraindications
This is a unique plant in terms of its effect on the human body. From its berries prepare decoctions and teas, tinctures and infusions. In addition, the fruits can be consumed in kind. In any case, they have diuretic, expectorant and antimicrobial properties. Juniper preparations are used as an effective painkiller for diseases of the bladder and some diseases of the kidneys, scabies, some pathologies of the liver, gout, rheumatism.
These fruits cleanse and disinfect the stomach and oral cavity, positively affect the composition of the blood, promote rapid scarring of stomach ulcers, and improve lactation in nursing mothers. Fresh berries are consumed according to the scheme: on the first day you need to eat four berries, on the second - five, on the third - six, thus increasing the amount, bringing it to fifteen berries on the twelfth day. Then the scheme is repeated in the opposite direction (the number of berries eaten decreases every day).
The beneficial properties of juniper are widely used in cooking. Cones have a distinctive and unusual taste and aroma. They make dishes using their original and sophisticated. Such an unusual seasoning is great for game, meat, poultry. In addition, these fruits can be used to prepare marinades for meat dishes, they are added to liquors and sauerkraut.
Despite the many useful properties, juniper has contraindications. It is categorically not recommended for dropsy, although it relieves swelling well. It should not be taken during pregnancy and with acute inflammation of the kidneys, with peptic ulcer, gastritis and acute colitis. It is necessary to strictly observe the dosage and timing of the use of drugs. You need to know that only one of the seventy species of this plant has the beneficial properties of juniper.
be careful
If you have not encountered the collection of juniper, then you should be very careful not to confuse it with juniper Cossack. It is very similar to ordinary, and therefore even more insidious. This is a poisonous plant that absolutely can not be used for treatment. The thing is that many books on traditional medicine describe juniper, useful properties and contraindications, give recipes, but do not share these two subspecies. Therefore, if it is not clear to you how to distinguish juniper from Cossack in nature, do not risk it in vain.
Juniper essential oil: properties
In our country, common juniper grows in many regions. Juniper essential oil is made from fresh or dried berries. They are preliminarily kneaded and subjected to steam treatment. In some cases, the oil may be made from needles or wood. The composition of this valuable drug includes the following components:
- Apple acid;
- vinegar;
- formic;
- camphene;
- terpineol;
- beta and alpha pinen.
In addition, it contains many trace elements (copper, iron, manganese). Ascorbic acid is also present.
Application
Juniper essential oil, whose properties are widely used in many areas of human activity: cosmetology, the production of alcoholic beverages, traditional medicine, food production - is becoming increasingly popular. Women who want to lose weight are well aware of the unique features of juniper oil in the fight against overweight. It is used externally and consumed internally.
For external exposure, take a bath with a few drops of oil and make wraps. In these procedures, it can be used independently, but can be combined with sandalwood, bergamot, cedar, lime, lemon balm oils.
The time-tested beneficial properties of juniper, or rather, its oil in the fight against stretch marks and cellulite. It is well known that quite often the cause of excess weight is overeating against a background of stress. And in this case, juniper oil may come in handy. The properties of this drug will help calm the nervous system and, as a result, reduce appetite. Oil is a powerful diuretic, and this explains the possibility of weight loss.
Hair care
Regular use of juniper oil gives hair shine, eliminates dandruff and itching and strengthens hair follicles. Therefore, the use of this product for hair care is justified.
Dosage
For external use, juniper oil must be mixed with vegetable in a ratio of 7: 10 drops.
In the solution for inhalation is added no more than three drops, and for the bathroom the dose can reach up to six drops.
Inside, take one drop mixed with honey, juice or a dairy product. The beneficial properties of juniper are well known. However, before using it, consult your healthcare provider for advice.