Useful properties of juniper. Properties of juniper essential oil

Only those who were fortunate enough to visit the juniper forest will be able to truly appreciate the purity and extraordinary freshness of the air in it. That is why today in large cities this plant began to be used for gardening and decoration.

Probably not everyone knows that juniper can clean not only the air, but also the human body. By this he deserved recognition all over the world.

Description

Useful man has learned to use juniper for a long time. But how to distinguish a given plant? It is a coniferous evergreen tree or shrub. Refers to the family cypress. The height can reach eight meters. It grows more often in the underbrush next to rowan or buckthorn. Leaves are hard, needle-like, collected in bundles. The bottom of the leaf is green and shiny, and the top is yellowish with a white stripe.

Juniper: useful properties

It is a relic medicinal plant, which is known to man since very old times. Then it was used to drive out evil spirits. As a curative, it was used by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. In the Middle Ages, during epidemics, it was used to fumigate the premises as a disinfectant. In ancient Egypt, the plant was burned and its vapors were inhaled to cleanse the body. In North America, the Indians treated them for skin diseases and open wounds, joints and bone diseases. For this, the patient was placed in dense thickets of juniper. In addition, it was used to treat plague and other infectious diseases.

Use of fruits

Due to its therapeutic effect, juniper is the most effective ordinary. The folk names of this plant vary according to the regions of our country: the cerebellum, the vespero, the japovian, the grouse, the arsa, the mesentery, etc. The juniper fruit, the properties of which are checked by time, are used in the form of infusion, oil, broth. To treat diseases of the digestive tract, stenocardia, urogenital infections use infusion of fruits from this wonderful plant. To do this, you need to grind the berries, take one dessert spoonful of fruit and brew a glass of boiling water.

Broth

Suffering diseases of the kidneys, rheumatism, inflammation of the appendages, puffiness should be used decoction of these magic fruits. The broth is prepared as follows: grind 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 spoonful of decoction three times a day before meals.

Juniper: useful properties and contraindications

This is a plant unique in its effect on the human body. From its berries prepare broths and teas, tinctures and infusions. In addition, fruits can be eaten in kind. In any case, they have diuretic, expectorant and antimicrobial properties. Preparations from juniper are used as an effective painkiller for diseases of the bladder and certain diseases of the kidneys, scabies, certain liver pathologies, gout, rheumatism.

These fruits purify and disinfect the stomach and oral cavity, positively influence the composition of the blood, promote the rapid scarring of stomach ulcers, improve lactation in nursing mothers. Fresh berries are used according to the scheme: on the first day it is necessary to eat four berries, in the second - five, in the third - six, thus increase the amount, bring it to fifteen berries on the twelfth day. Then the scheme is repeated in the opposite direction (the number of berries consumed decreases every day).

Useful properties of juniper are widely used in cooking. Shishkoyagody has a characteristic and unusual taste and aroma. They make dishes with their use original and refined. This 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 liqueurs and sauerkraut.

Despite the many useful properties, juniper has contraindications. He is categorically not recommended for dropsy, although it relieves swelling. 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 accurately observe the dosage and timing of the use of drugs. It is necessary 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, you should be very careful not to confuse it with the juniper Cossack. He is very similar to the ordinary, and therefore even more cunning. This is a poisonous plant that can not be categorically used for treatment. The fact is that many books on folk medicine describe juniper, useful properties and contraindications, give recipes, but do not share these two subspecies. Therefore, if you do not understand how to distinguish between juniper and Cossack in nature, do not take risks at all.

Essential oil of juniper: properties

In our country, juniper is common in many regions. Essential oil of juniper is made from fresh or dry berries. They are preliminarily kneaded and subjected to steam treatment. In some cases, oil can be made from needles or wood. This valuable product contains the following components:

- Apple acid;

- Acetic;

- formic;

- camphene;

- terpineol;

- Beta- and Alpha-Pinene.

In addition, it contains many trace elements (copper, iron, manganese). There is also ascorbic acid.

Application

Essential oil of juniper, whose properties are widely used in many areas of human activity: cosmetology, production of alcoholic beverages, folk medicine, food production - is becoming increasingly popular. Women who want to lose weight are well aware of the unique features of juniper oil in combating obesity. It is applied externally and consumed inside.

For external exposure take a bath with a few drops of oil and make wraps. In these procedures, it can be used alone, but can be combined with sandalwood, bergamot, cedar, lime, melissa oil.

Tested by time useful properties of juniper, or rather, its oil in the fight against stretch marks and cellulite. It is well known that quite often the overweight causes overeating on the background of stress. And in this case, juniper oil can be useful. 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.

We take care of hair

Regular use of juniper oil gives hair shine, destroys dandruff and itching and strengthens hair bulbs. Therefore, the use of this product for hair care is completely justified.

Dosages

For external use, juniper oil must be mixed with vegetable oil in a ratio of 7: 10 drops.

In the inhalation solution, not more than three drops are added, and for the bath, the dose can go up to six drops.

Inside take one drop, mixed with honey, juice or sour milk product. Useful properties of juniper are well known. Nevertheless, before using it, consult your physician for advice.