Juniper Berry
The juniper tree, Juniperus communis, is an
evergreen shrub that grows in many parts of the world, including North America,
Europe and Asia. It produces seed cones that are commonly known as juniper
berries.
People have used these small berries for
culinary and medicinal purposes since ancient times, and current research
suggests that they may offer various health benefits:
1. High in nutrients and powerful plant
compounds
Like many other berries, they contain vitamin C,
which is essential for immune health, collagen synthesis and blood vessel
function. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the cells from damage
caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.
Juniper berries contain plant compounds like
flavonoid antioxidants, volatile oils and coumarins.
The volatile oils in juniper berries contain
substances known as monoterpenes. Research has shown these to have
anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
The volatile oils also increase hydrochloric
acid in the stomach. This is needed to relieve gas in the digestive system,
help with good digestion and reduce bloating.
2. Provide anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant effects
Juniper berries, being rich in volatile oils and
flavonoids, besides functioning as potent antioxidants, may also help reduce
inflammation.
One study detected over 70 compounds in juniper
berry volatile oil, with the monoterpenes alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, myrcene,
limonene, and sabinene making up the majority. The study found that the oil
reduced cellular damage in yeast cells by increasing the activity of certain
enzymes.
Another test-tube study showed that juniper
berry volatile oil significantly reduced inflammation in human skin cells. The
researchers attributed this to the oil’s high concentration of monoterpenes.
Juniper berries are effective diuretic, and
useful for eliminating excess water from the body. They are used in the
digestive system and are popular and effective ingredient in many weight loss
supplements.
Juniper berries are also helpful for those who
suffer from joint pain, nerve and muscle disorders and rheumatoid arthritis.
3. May have antidiabetic properties
People used juniper berries in traditional
medicine practices to treat diabetes. More recent studies confirm that they may
have antidiabetic properties.
Researchers believe these antidiabetic effects
are due to the berries’ high concentration of antioxidants. One study on mice
found that they helped reduce body weight as mentioned above and improve blood
lipid profiles.
4. Could promote heart health
Juniper berries may promote heart health by
increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol.
A 2007 study on rats with diabetes demonstrated
that treatment with juniper berry extract reduced total cholesterol and
triglyceride levels by 57% and 37%, respectively.
Though human studies are lacking, research shows
that eating berries may reduce heart disease risk factors.
5. Antibacterial and antifungal activity
Test-tube and animal studies show that juniper
berries have powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties.
One test-tube study found that juniper berry volatile
oil significantly inhibited the activity of three bacteria that can cause
serious infections in humans — M. gordonae, M. avium and M. intracellulare.
Nonetheless, considering the lack of human
research on juniper berry supplements, it may be best to speak with a doctor
before trying or using as home remedy.
Catnip
Catnip is a strong-smelling herb. It is native
to Central Europe, though it can now be found in most of Canada and the
Northeast United States.
Catnip has long been thought to have medicinal
properties. Its dried leaves and white flowers are traditionally used for this
purpose. Both can be used to make tea, which is sometimes used to treat
conditions like insomnia, anxiety and headaches. In some cases, the roots of
catnip can be used. However, these act as a stimulant instead of a relaxing
agent.
Catnip is effective alone or in herbal remedies
for colds, flu, fevers, upset stomach and insomnia. Catnip is particularly good
for children with upset stomachs in a very mild infusion. Catnip has been used
for prevention of nightmares, and has a mild anti-spasmodic effect and is used
to alleviate symptoms such as stress, menstrual cramps and gut cramps.
Historically, catnip was used for diarrhea, gas
and stomach cramps. It is said to relieve muscle spasms in the intestinal
tract. Drinking catnip tea may soothe the digestive system.
Catnip is believed to have sedative properties
that can remedy nervous disorders and migraine headache. Many groups of people
have traditionally used catnip tea to relieve infants' colic and help babies to
sleep at night.
As carminative with anti-spasmodic properties,
catnip is antiflatulent. Its sedative action on the nerves adds to its genera.
Catnip is astringent, and can be applied
externally to cuts and scrapes to stop bleeding and promote healing. The leaves
of catnip have traditionally been chewed as a remedy for alleviating toothache.
The dried leaves can also be used to make a pillow that can be slipped into a
pillowcase to promote sleep.
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