JUNIPER for CORONA VIRUS
(in bloom right now - March 2020)
There are more than 50 species in the Juniperus genus; all
of them can be used similarly. Junipers are active
against various viruses - - such as SARS, Corona virus (and worth trying for the strain of COVID19* - although it's too early to have any studies on its effects) plus Herpes simplex 1. It cannot hurt to add Juniper as a preventative (or even helper), due to it's historical uses and dense nutrient benefits.
Use the berries for urinary tract infections; the berries or needles for upper respiratory or GI tract infections; the heartwood, roots, bark, berries or needles for skin infections and infectious dysentery; the essential oil for airborne and upper respiratory infections* (a diffuser using pure juniper essential oil can be breathed-in to help kill-out respiratory infections).
Herbal alcohol extracts of juniper berries also show
activity against 57 strains of 24 bacterium, among them Bacillus, Enterobacter and Staphylococcus
They also have been shown to
inhibit
11 Candida species (fungus) and cancer cell lines .
Juniper is a powerful diuretic – a herb that increases the flow of urine, helping to cleanse the system of excess fluids and stimulating the kidneys. This causes the body to flush out uric acid and excess crystals that can cause many problems including gout, arthritis and kidney stones.
The Juniper Berry is rich in volatile oils, in particular terpinen-4-ol, which is reported to increase the rate of kidney filtration, which in turn increases urine flow whilst helping to flush out bacteria from the kidneys and bladder. This makes Juniper exceptionally useful in the treatment of urinary tract infections, with some patients reporting relief after just 24-72 hours of use.
A study in rats with diabetes observed that supplementing with juniper berry extract significantly reduced blood sugar and increased heart-protective HDL (good) cholesterol.
Another study on the anti-diabetic effects of Chinese juniper berry extract found that it significantly reduced blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in rats with diabetes
Parts used: The berries and needles - - but the bark, wood and root all have healing properties with active chemical constituents.
Preparation and Dosage: The chemical constituents in the junipers are readily
soluble in alcohol but vary in water depending on what part of the plant you’re
using. The berries must be eaten whole or tinctured in alcohol to
be medicinally effective. Alcohol extracts can be stored one-two years.
The needles will work to some extent in water (but are better in
alcohol— as the monoterpenes aren’t very water soluble. Numerous studies have shown that the bark also needs the addition of alcohol to totally release its healing constituents.
Essential oil: For sinus and upper respiratory infections put 8 to 10 drops in water in a 1-ounce nasal spray bottle and spray it near your nose and mouth, breathing in - four to six times a day; shaking well before each use. Spray the air and countertops for cleansing.
Use Juniper essential oil in a diffuser for helping prevent and cure upper respiratory infections (my favorite way to use!). A few drops can be mixed with water in a steamer for upper respiratory infections (but essential oils can react with some plastics and could cause a discoloration of the steamer).
Steam: Any part of the plant, but usually the needles or berries. Boil 4 ounces of needles in 1 gallon of water, and inhale the steam as it boils (put a towel over your head to hold the steam within the tent). Or use in a sauna pouring the boiled water strained from the plant material directly onto the stones..
Tincture: Berries, 1:5 (1 part berries to 5 parts vodka - extract in dark space for 1 month - then strain for a 75 percent alcohol extract. Use 5 to 20 drops, up to three times daily. These store
Infusion: Chopped or powdered needles
prepared as a standard infusion (tea), water covering berries, bring to boil then turn down low to steep with lid on. Drink 4 to 6 ounces, three to six times
daily.
Decoction (water boiled on low, covered with a lid,
for a long period of time): A strong decoction of the herb has been
traditionally used in many cultures to sterilize brewing equipment, cooking
utensils, surgical instruments, hands, counters, etc. The decoction is also
effective as a wound wash to either prevent or cure infection. Use 1 ounce herb
per each quart of water, boil 30 minutes, then turn off the heat and let steep
overnight.
Berries: In whole form, for gastric
problems, eat 1 to 5 berries per day for two weeks.
Powder: Add any part of the plant to wound
powders or use alone to prevent or cure infection in wounds.
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Side Effects and Contraindications: There has been a long-standing assertion in
scores of herbals that the use of this plant may cause kidney irritation and
that it is highly contraindicated in kidney disease. The phyto-medicalist,
Kerry Bone, and others have proven the error of this belief (which began in the
latter part of the 19th century from the administration of large doses of the
essential oil to animals). Recent studies with rats have found that Juniper has
a kidney-protective effect from the plant. This matches the results by the
Eclectics (over a long period of time) who used the berries in the treatment of
active kidney disease and inflammation. Use of juniper berry essential oil should be avoided during pregnancy.
Caution should be exercised by diabetics in any long-term
use of the plant, as it may alter insulin
requirements. It should probably not be used long-term with pharmaceutical
diuretics. However, almost no one uses the plant long-term for healing.
One side-effect recorded was a mild diarrhea when the
essential oil (15 drops in one ounce of olive oil) was used to treat an ear
infection. The mix was applied three times daily with a cotton swab. The
diarrhea stopped with discontinuation of the herb. This doesn’t really make sense - - but it’s
in the research literature.
Juniper essential oil is not for internal use,
other than breathing-in via a diffuser (aromatherapy) or as a steam inhalant.
