Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Healing with Juniper
Juniper’s aromatic oil contains a diuretic chemical (terpinen4-0l), which increases the fluid-filtering rate of the kidneys, supporting its traditional use as a diuretic. In fact, it’s an ingredient in the over-the-counter diuretic, Odrinil.
High Blood Pressure - Physicians often prescribe diuretics to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a serious condition requiring professional care. If you’d like to use juniper as part of your treatment plan, discuss it with your physician.
Diuretics deplete the body of potassium, an essential mineral. If you use juniper, eat foods high in potassium, such as bananas and fresh vegetables.
Congestive Heart Failure - Culpeper exaggerated when he said juniper “cured” this condition. But as a diuretic, the herb can be a part of an overall treatment plan. Heart failure is a serious condition requiring professional care. If you’d like to use it, discuss it with your physician.
Women’s Health - In animal studies, juniper stimulates uterine contractions. Pregnant women should not use it (except at term under the supervision of a physician, when it might help stimulate labor). Other women might try it to help begin their periods.
Since diuretics help relieve the bloated feeling caused by premenstrual fluid retention, women bothered by premenstrual syndrome might try juniper during the uncomfortable days right before their periods.
Arthritis - Juniper may have anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting it may have value in treating arthritis-one of its age-old Indian uses. In Germany, where herbal medicine is considerably more mainstream than it is in the United States, physicians prescribe juniper preparations for arthritis and gout.
Myth - Juniper does not “destroy all fungi,” and it has never been shown effective for gonorrhea, bladder or kidney infections.
Rx for Juniper
If you want to use it as a diuretic, or try to treat the inflammation associated with arthritis, or attempt to bring on your period, take juniper as an infusion. For an infusion, use I teaspoon of bruised berries per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 20 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups a day for no more than 6 weeks. Juniper has a strong, pleasantly aromatic taste.
Juniper should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.