Juniper Berry Powder

Juniper Berry Powder

Juniper berries are actually not berries at all, but the seed cone of the juniper plant. However, they are considered to be a berry because of its scales. Juniper berries are a nutritional powerhouse because they loaded with copper, calcium, chromium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, selenium, zinc, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B3 and C. They also contain a decent amount of health-boosting plant compounds known as flavonoids. To obtain the therapeutic benefits of juniper berries, it’s best to take them in the form of powder, tea, capsules and tablets.

Benefits of Juniper Berry

Numerous high quality studies support the extensive health benefits of juniper berries. Among them are the following:

Promotes Restful Sleep

Most men, especially the older population, commonly experience sleeping difficulties or insomnia. A study from Mie University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan found that using juniper berry essential oil as a form of therapeutic fragrance can help induce restful sleep in patients with insomnia.[1] Researchers also observed that the treatment decreased the use of sleeping pills by the study participants, suggesting that juniper berry aids in restful sleep and can be a natural remedy for sleeping difficulties experienced by aging men.

Fights Cancer

Growing evidence supports the anti-cancer properties of juniper berry essential oil or extract. Studies show that that juniper berry can induce programmed cell death of drug-resistant strain of leukemia, liver cancer cells, prostate cancer cells, and nerve tissue cancer cells.[2-3] This mechanism causes malignant cells to self-destruct, thereby preventing its progression.

Combats Infection

Studies show that juniper berry has potent antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal activities.[4-6] Researchers even reported that juniper berry extract was found to be very effective as compared to standard antibiotics such as ampicillin and erythromycin, in treating infections. This effect suggests that juniper berry can help fight a wide array of infections caused by harmful microorganisms.

Improves Blood Sugar Levels

Consuming juniper berries can also be beneficial in men with type 2 diabetes. Studies show that the antioxidants in juniper berries helps bring down the levels of blood sugar in diabetics by improving the body’s response to insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar.[7-8]

Eliminates Stubborn Fat

Juniper berry oil can reduce the appearance of cellulite, a dimpled skin appearance that occurs when underlying fat deposits begin to push through layers of connective tissue. This condition becomes more noticeable in fat people. Interestingly, one study found that the application of juniper berry oil can help reduce the appearance of cellulite in affected skin areas.[9] This suggests that juniper berry may have fat-burning effects, which may ultimately  contribute to healthy, rejuvenated skin.

Detoxifies the Body

Juniper berry has potent diuretic effect, which means it can increase urinary frequency and urine volume. Studies show that terpinenol, the active compound in juniper berries, can help flush out toxins and harmful substances inside the body by increasing the production of urine.[10-11]

Prevents Erectile Dysfunction

There is increasing evidence that plant compounds known as flavonoids can help prevent the incidence of erectile dysfunction. For instance, a 2016 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher dietary intake of specific flavonoid-rich foods such as juniper berries is associated with reduced incidence of erectile dysfunction.[12]

Prevents Cognitive Decline

Large clinical trials have shown that higher intakes of berries such as juniper berries were associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in older men.[13-15] The ability of juniper berries to boost cognitive function is primarily attributed to its rich flavonoid content.

References:

1. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0962456205000597. Accessed September 5, 2017.
2. Saab AM, Guerrini A, Sacchetti G. Phytochemical analysis and cytotoxicity towards multidrug-resistant leukemia cells of essential oils derived from Lebanese medicinal plants. Planta medica. 2012; 78(18):1927-31.
3. Lantto TA, Laakso I, Dorman HJ. Cellular Stress and p53-Associated Apoptosis by Juniperus communis L. Berry Extract Treatment in the Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells. International journal of molecular sciences. 2016; 17(7).
4. Sati S. C., Joshi S. Antibacterial potential of leaf extracts of Juniperus communis L. from Kumaun Himalaya. African Journal of Microbiology Research. 2010;4(12):1291–1294.
5. Pepeljnjak S., Kosalec I., Kalodera Z., Blažević N. Antimicrobial activity of juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae) Acta Pharmaceutica. 2005;55(4):417–422.
6. Modnicki D., Łabędzka J. Estimation of the total phenolic compounds in juniper sprouts (Juniperus communis, Cupressaceae) from different places at the kujawsko-pomorskie province. Herba Polonica. 2009;55(3).\
7. Khan V, Najmi AK, Akhtar M, Aqil M, Mujeeb M, Pillai KK. A pharmacological appraisal of medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences. 2012;4(1):27-42. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.92727.
8. Sánchez de Medina F, Gámez MJ, Jiménez I, Jiménez J, Osuna JI, Zarzuelo A. Hypoglycemic activity of juniper “berries”. Planta medica. 1994; 60(3):197-200.
9. Available from http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/8050/1/NPR%204%281%29%2018-26.pdf
10. Janku I, Hava M, Motl O. [Diuretic substance from juniper (Juniperus communis L.)]. Experientia. 1957; 13(6):255-6.
11. Ripka O. [Diuretic Effect of Terpinenol, A Constituent of Juniper Oil]. Sbornik lekarsky. 1964; 66:161-6.
12. Cassidy A, Franz M, Rimm EB. Dietary flavonoid intake and incidence of erectile dysfunction. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2016;103(2):534-541. doi:10.3945/ajcn.115.122010.
13. Schmitt-Schillig S, Schaffer S, Weber CC, Eckert GP, Muller WE. Flavonoids and the aging brain. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2005 Mar;56(Suppl 1):23–36.
14. Mattson MP. Pathways towards and away from Alzheimer’s disease. Nature. 2004 Aug 5;430(7000):631–639.
15. Behl C. Amyloid beta-protein toxicity and oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s disease. Cell Tissue Res. 1997 Dec;290(3):471–480.