Juniper berries are an evergreen shrub. It is not a true berry, but a cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales gives it a berry-like appearance. Juniper berries are green when young and mature to purple-black. Their aroma is often described as woody or spicy. Juniper berries contain multiple phytochemicals.
It has essential oil, proteins, formic acids, malic, acetic. The juniper berries extracts offer terpenes, aromatic compounds, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons like sabinene, terpinene-4-ol, pinene, limonene, and myrcene, which were isolated. However, most varieties of juniper berries are edible. While juniperus oxycedrus and juniperus sabina are not safe to be consumed.
Nutritional Facts Of Juniper Berries
100 g of juniper berries have the following nutrition facts.
- Energy: 14 kcal
- Protein: 0 g
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.22 g
- Total Sugar: 4.22 g
- Sodium: 0 g
Juniper berries offer anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal, and antiseptic properties. They are loaded with vitamins such as vitamin C and compounds such as monoterpenes.
Health Benefits of Juniper Berries
1. Help treat leishmaniasis
According to research, it is possible that the use of juniper berries can help in the treatment of the parasite that causes leishmaniasis. It is a kind of disease commonly contracted in tropical regions and southern Europe. This infection is spread by the bite of infected sandflies. While there are several different forms of leishmaniasis. The research mentioned the very potent results of an extract of juniper berries against the parasite.
2. Relieve oxidative stress and help prevent disease
Juniper berries contain antioxidants. That helps the body to prevent and fight disease. As they relieve oxidative stress caused by too many free radicals in your system. These berries have polyphenolic compounds called bioflavonoids or flavonoids. This compound gets more in ripe berries than in unripe varieties. However, the activity of three extremely important antioxidants in the body is encouraged by juniper berries such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase.
3. Supports restful sleep
Juniper berry essential oil has a positive impact on brain chemistry, encouraging relaxation. As per studies of the effects of a therapeutic fragrance with juniper berry essential oil as well as orris, and rose, on insomniacs currently taking medication for the disorder. However, it can help with restful sleep.
4. Improves skin conditions
Juniper berries are mostly used in essential oil forms to treat skin issues such as rash or eczema. These berries contain antioxidants that are probably one major reason this can be effective. As per research, juniper berry extract can be able to help treat skin pigmentation disorders such as vitiligo. Juniper berries essential oil can be used for some time to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
5. Improve digestion
According to some studies juniper berries were used and considered a digestive aid. The juniper berry essential oil did result in improved digestive behavior. As they function as diuretics, juniper berries can help relieve bloating in some cases as well.
6. Potentially Anti-diabetic
Juniper berries are been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. The juniper berry extracts provide anti-diabetic effects and properties. Consuming the extracts of juniper berries regularly can reduce blood glucose levels. The juniper berry extracts can potentially be used to treat type 2 diabetes.