Juniper Berries

[gardnmom]

More on Juniper Berries

http://www.day-spas.org/herbs/juniper-berries.html

Juniper berries are used as a diuretic and to treat bladder and kidney conditions. The berries have been used in herbal medicine for more than 300 years, and are actually the cones of the small, evergreen juniper shrub. New berries appear on mature shrubs in the fall and take 2-3 years to fully ripen, so Juniper shrubs often have unripe green and ripe blue berries at the same time. Juniper berries contain up to 2 percent volatile oil and 10 percent resin. Usually, a tea is prepared from juniper and a mixture of other herbs, but for treating certain conditions, the berries themselves are eaten. Juniper berries are also used as a flavoring agent in gin and certain luncheon meats.

Juniper is a remedy for cystitis, helps to relieve fluid retention, and helps to settle the digestive system. Unfortunately, the diuretic action of the berries can irritate the kidneys when taken in large doses and it is no longer recommended for treating kidney disorders. It is imperative that pregnant women not take juniper berries as they increase intestinal movement and may also stimulate contraction of the uterus. Juniper berries should not be taken for more than 6 consecutive weeks.

To treat chills, stomach upset, or menstrual pain, you should sip a weak infusion of juniper berries (1 tablespoon of juniper berries added to one cup of boiling water and steeped for twenty minutes) twice a day, and for cystitis and other urinary infections, you should take 2mL of the tincture, three times a day.

Juniper berries are found in Europe, southwestern Asia, and North America where the shrub grows in southern coastal sites, moorland, and mountainous regions. The berries can be gathered when they ripen in the spring.

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There are 3 recipes here

http://www.schwartz.co.uk/handsguide.cfm?id=5144

 

Herb and Spice guide

 

Juniper Berries (Juniperus communis) Description Juniper berries are the deep purple fruit of the Juniper bush. They have a bitter sweet, pine flavour with a peppery aftertaste. Juniper Berries complement - beef, game, pork, venison, cabbage, terrines.

Did You Know?

Juniper Berries can take 3 years to ripen on the bush. Juniper gives its distinctive flavour to gin and other spirits. Cooks in the mountainous regions of Italy, France and Germany use Juniper to flavour rich game dishes. Although Juniper grows in Britain we do not have many traditional culinary uses for it. However, it adds an excellent flavour to game, pâté and marinades. It is believed to be a diuretic and anti-inflammatory.

 

Quality

The berries should be large, round and plump with a deep purple colour and slight dusty bloom.

Usage

Lightly crush the berries before use to release their flavour.

Add Juniper Berries to rich beef stews and game casseroles.

Pork and venison can be well flavoured with Juniper.

Sauerkraut is traditionally flavoured with Juniper.

Use Juniper in conjunction with herbs, wine and garlic for a full flavour.

Crushed Juniper Berries are good in rich terrines, as well as being used whole with Bay Leaves as a final garnish.

 

 

 

[Freetobeme]

We have lots of juniper up north. Berries anyone?