Herbs and plantsJuniper — bitter berries that flush the kidneys, but are they not safe for everyone?
Sources: 5 · Article: 8 178 characters
Henryk Różański states that a decoction, infusion, and tincture made from juniper are said to have diuretic and anti-swelling effects.
- Juniper is also said to stimulate the secretion of digestive juices and bile, speed up bowel activity, and relieve bloating.
- Różański lists acute kidney failure, proteinuria, and blood in the urine as contraindications.
- He also warns against exceeding the prescribed doses, because juniper can be harmful and may even cause fatal poisoning.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
The bitter constituent of juniper berries is juniperin.
„Major constituents: essential oil 1–2% (alpha- and beta-pinene 16–80%, terpinen-4-ol up to 5%), catechin tannins up to 5%, invert sugar 30–33%, resins and waxes about 8%, the bitter substance juniperin, and formic, acetic, and malic acids. The oil is mainly composed of pinene, cadinene, camphene, borneol, terpineol, juniperol, and junene.”Ważniejsze składniki: olejek eteryczny 1-2% (alfa i beta pinen 16-80%, terpinen-4-ol – do 5%), garbniki katechinowe – do 5%, cukier inwertowany – 30-33%, żywice, woski – ok. 8%, goryczka juniperyna, kwas mrówkowy, octowy, jabłkowy. W olejku dominują: pinen, kadinen, kamfen, borneol, terpineol, juniperol, junen.
Henryk Różański
A decoction, infusion, and tincture made from juniper are said to have diuretic and anti-swelling effects.
„A decoction, infusion, and tincture made from juniper increase filtration in the kidney glomeruli, inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and chloride ions in the nephron’s convoluted tubules, and increase blood flow through the kidneys. As a result, they have diuretic and anti-swelling effects. Water- and alcohol-based extracts of juniper berries stimulate the secretion of gastric juice rich in hydrochloric acid, as well as intestinal juice.”Odwar, napar i nalewka z jałowca zwiększają przesączanie w kłębuszkach nerkowych, hamują wchłanianie zwrotne jonów sodu i chloru w cewkach krętych nefronu, zwiększają przepływ krwi przez nerki, przez co działają moczopędnie i przeciwobrzękowo. Wodne i alkoholowe wyciągi z owocu jałowca pobudzają wydzielanie soku żołądkowego bogatego w kwas solny oraz soku jelitowego.
Henryk Różański
Juniper is said to stimulate the secretion of gastric and intestinal juices.
„Water- and alcohol-based extracts of juniper berries stimulate the secretion of gastric juice rich in hydrochloric acid, as well as intestinal juice. They have bile-stimulating and heart-stimulating effects. The phytoncides in juniper inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, yeasts, and protozoa.”Wodne i alkoholowe wyciągi z owocu jałowca pobudzają wydzielanie soku żołądkowego bogatego w kwas solny oraz soku jelitowego. Wywierają wpływ żółciopędny i kardiostymulujący. Fitoncydy zawarte w jałowcu hamują rozwój bakterii, drożdżaków i pierwotniaków patogennych.
Henryk Różański
Juniper is said to increase the secretion of bile and gastric juice and speed up bowel activity.
„Juniper increases the secretion of bile and gastric juice rich in hydrochloric acid. It speeds up intestinal peristalsis and increases blood flow to the digestive tract and reproductive organs. It helps nutrients pass from the intestines into the blood. It promotes milk production.”Jałowiec zwiększa wydzielanie żółci i soku żołądkowego bogatego w kwas solny. Przyśpiesza perystaltykę jelit, wzmaga ukrwienie przewodu pokarmowego i narządów płciowych. Usprawnia wchłanianie składników pokarmowych z jelit do krwi. Działa mlekopędnie.
Henryk Różański
Juniper is said to relieve bloating and regulate bowel movements.
„Juniper relieves bloating and inhibits putrefaction and fermentation in the intestines. It regulates bowel movements. It increases blood flow to the intestines and pelvic organs. It stimulates blood circulation and strengthens contractions of the heart muscle. Juniper preparations increase urine production and the excretion of nitrogenous metabolites and sodium chloride with the urine.”Jałowiec znosi wzdęcia, hamuje procesy gnilne i fermentacyjne w jelitach. Reguluje wypróżnienia. Zwiększa ukrwienie jelit i narządów miednicy mniejszej. Pobudza krążenie krwi, nasila skurcze mięśnia sercowego. Preparaty z jałowca wzmagają wydzielanie moczu, a wraz z nim metabolitów azotowych i chlorku sodu.
Henryk Różański
In the past, juniper was considered an appetite and digestion stimulant and was recommended for urinary stones and bloating.
„In traditional medicine, juniper was considered an appetite and digestion stimulant, a metabolism booster, a diuretic, an aphrodisiac, and a blood purifier. Juniper was recommended for treating urinary stones, liver pain, bloating, dropsy, and stomach weakness.”Jałowiec uważano w dawnej medycynie za środek pobudzający apetyt i trawienie, przyśpieszający przemianę materii, moczopędny, podniecający i czyszczący krew. Polecano jałowiec do leczenia kamicy moczowej, bolącej wątroby, wzdęć, puchliny wodnej i niewydolności żołądka.
Henryk Różański
In the past, juniper was also used for kidney and bladder conditions.
„It was not until Paracelsus (1493–1541) and Bock (1565) that juniper was used to treat kidney and bladder conditions and as a “blood purifier.” From then on, juniper was described in all lists of medicinal drugs and later in pharmacopoeias. Paradoxically, despite the trend toward returning to natural treatments, juniper has become less important and less widely used in Poland over the last 30 years, while other, often less valuable, remedies have grown in popularity.”Dopiero Paracelsus (1493-1541) oraz Bock (1565 r.) stosowali jałowiec do leczenia schorzeń nerek i pęcherza moczowego i jako środek „czyszczący krew”. Od tego czasu jałowiec był opisywany we wszystkich lekospisach, a potem farmakopeach. Paradoksalnie, pomimo tendencji powrotu do naturalnych metod leczenia, jałowiec w Polsce w ostatnim 30-leciu traci na znaczeniu i zastosowaniu, podczas gdy inne niejednokrotnie mniej wartościowe zyskują na popularności.
Henryk Różański
Juniper should not be used in cases of acute kidney failure, proteinuria, or blood in the urine.
„Juniper preparations must not be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women, or to those prone to uterine bleeding. Other contraindications to using juniper include proteinuria, blood in the urine, peptic ulcers, acute liver or kidney failure, and inflammation of the appendix or gallbladder.”Preparatów z jałowca nie wolno podawać kobietom ciężarnym, w czasie laktacji i skłonnym do krwotoków macicznych. Przeciwwskazaniami do stosowania jałowca są również: białkomocz, krwiomocz, choroba wrzodowa, ostra niewydolność wątroby i nerek, stany zapalne wyrostka robaczkowego i pęcherzyka żółciowego.
Henryk Różański
Henryk Różański warns against exceeding the prescribed doses, because juniper can be harmful and may even cause fatal poisoning.
„I am obliged to offer some cautions: Use juniper only in the prescribed doses. Do not increase the dose, as juniper can be harmful and may even cause fatal poisoning. Do not give it to young children or pregnant women. Do not use it in cases of blood in the urine.”Zobowiązany jestem do udzielenia pewnych uwag: Jałowiec stosować w dawkach przepisanych. Nie zwiększać dawek, bowiem jałowiec może zaszkodzić, a nawet spowodować zatrucie śmiertelne. Małym dzieciom i kobietom ciężarnym nie podawać. Nie stosować w przypadku krwiomoczu.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 2.
In a study of diabetic rats, extracts from juniper berries and leaves lowered glucose levels and lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidneys.
Aim of the study: To evaluate the relationships between levels of selected trace elements (copper, iron, and zinc) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in the liver and kidneys of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes treated for 10 days with leaf and fruit extracts of Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus (J.o.s.o.).
Results: Treatment of diabetic rats with J.o.s.o. fruit and leaf extracts decreased blood glucose levels and lipid peroxidation in both liver and kidney tissues. J.o.s.o. extracts increased zinc concentrations in the liver of rats with STZ-induced diabetes. The results indicate that J.o.s.o. fruit and leaf extracts may be beneficial for diabetes and its complications.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Gazi University
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review indicates that juniper may have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties that could help prevent urinary tract infections.
Aim of the study: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common global health problem and often require antibiotic treatment, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. This narrative review explores the potential of probiotics and plant-based foods as alternative or complementary ways to prevent UTIs.
Results: Similarly, plant-based foods, including cranberry, garlic, bearberry, juniper, and nettle, contain bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties. Laboratory and clinical studies suggest that these natural approaches may reduce the incidence of UTIs by preventing pathogens from adhering, influencing immune responses, and promoting urinary tract health. However, despite promising findings, differences in study methods, lack of standardized doses, and uncertainty about long-term effectiveness require further investigation. Future research should focus on optimizing probiotic formulations, standardizing doses of plant-based supplements, and assessing potential interactions between foods and medicines to establish evidence-based guidelines for UTI prevention.
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
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