JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS BERRY : A SOURCE OF POWERFUL ACTIVE COMPOUNDS !

 

 Juniperus communis

 

 

Everyone has probably eaten their fair share of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

But have you heard of Juniper Berries? NO?

 Don't worry! Let's have a look to get a complete grip on the topic!

This will help you to reap the benefits effectively..

 

 

SO..... WHAT ARE JUNIPER BERRIES ?

 

 A juniper berry is not a true berry but a cone with fleshy and merged scales, which gives it a berry-like appearance. Young berries have a greenish colouring that ripen to purplish-black.

Although, the shrub J. communis is native to Europe, South-Asia and North America, it is found in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 3000 m–4200 m.

Cedar berries are used as a flavouring agent, particularly as a spice, mainly in European countries. They have a strong flavour and taste bitter if eaten raw. They are aromatic & have a light fruity fragrance which is psychologically uplifting during the periods of low energy anxiety and general weakness.

In ancient times, Romans used cedar berries as a substitute for black pepper.

 

Matured berries

 

 

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION :

 

 Binomial name: J. communis L

It belongs to Cupressaceae ( conifer family)

 

 

BIOACTIVE INGREDIENTS :  

 

The fruit berries contain essential oil (0.5% in fresh and 2.5% in dry fruit) invert sugars (15–30%), resin (10%), catechin (3–5%), organic acid, terpenic acids, leucoanthocyanidin besides bitter compound (Juniperine), flavonoids, tannins, gums, lignins, wax, etc.

Various flavonoids like biflavonoids (amento-flavone), flavones (apigenin), flavonols (quercetin, isoquercetin) and vitamins (vitamin C) have also been found to be present in juniper berries.

 

 

 

HEALTH  BENEFITS :

 

The berries have long been used as medicine by many cultures. The functional compounds present are responsible for the various therapeutic properties. The different physiological benefits are :

 

• POWER PACKED WITH ANTIOXIDANTS -   Vitamin C, polyphenols and polyphenol esters in addition to monoterpene hydrocarbons have been isolated from the fruit of J. communis. The hydroxyl group present in the phenolic compounds is primarily responsible for the antioxidant effects. It reduces the damage caused by free radicals.

• NEUROPROTECTIVE - The extracts of J. communis have shown protective effects on nervous tissue and enhance working memory. Therefore, it can be a potential alternative treatment for Parkinson, Alzheimer and other chronic neurological disorders.

• ANTIDIABETIC - Juniper berries decoction induces significant hypoglycaemia. This effect is due to the improved peripheral utilization of glucose due to high insulin-like activity of decoction and/or its ability to heal pancreas particularly when there is no permanent damage.

• GASTROPROTECTIVE - Juniper is useful in alleviating various gastrointestinal disorders due to its digestive, carminative, anti-spasmodic and anti-bacterial action. The berries being bitter in nature have digestive action. Chewing of berries is useful to treat inflamed and infected gums due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Leaf extract has antiulcer properties.

• DIURETIC - Juniper plant is known as urinary antiseptic and diuretic among other effects in folk medicine. It increases urine output without loss of electrolytes. The diuretic activity of aqueous infusion of berries is attributed to terpinol-4-ol and hydrophilic constituents which increase glomerular filtration rate.

  Who knew a tiny berry was capable of doing so much?

  

 

 

 

 HOW ARE THE BERRIES CONSUMED?

 

The astringent blue-black berries commonly are dried for its use as a culinary component in different regions of the world. The dried berries are crushed or grounded to release their flavour before these are added to a dish.

These are used to flavour meat, soups, sauces, vegetable stews, stuffing and pickled foods. The berries are also used to flavour certain alcoholic beverages like beer and gin. They are used to make herbal decoctions. They are used in cookies, cakes & tarts to get a sweet & spicy flavour.

 

 

 

 

BE CAUTIOUS !!!

 

Despite its many benefits, there are also precautions and downsides to consuming cedar berries. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and people with urinary tract or kidney problems should avoid including the berries.

 The berry extract should be avoided by patients taking medication for diabetes mellitus because it may cause a further decrease in blood sugar to very low levels.

Juniper is safe for most adults when taken orally in medicinal amount for short term. However, consumption for a long time or in high doses can be unsafe and cause irritation of the gut which may result in diarrhoea and stomach ache.

Hence, it is necessary to incorporate optimum amounts of the spice to avoid the negative consequences!

 

 

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