berries.
JUNIPER (Juniperus communis L.)Evergreen coniferous shrub, rarely a small tree of the cypress family (Cupressaceae), up to 8 m (in some cases up to 12 m) in height. The crown is broadly ovate in shrubs and narrowly conical in tree forms. The trunk is straight, branched, with a thin, gray-brown cracking bark. Shoots are reddish brown. Leaves (needles) are needle-shaped, linear-awl-shaped, prickly, arranged in whorls of 3, stored on branches up to 4 years. The plant is dioecious. Male cones look like elongated oval bright yellow spikelets sitting in the axils of the leaves, female cones – oval light green cones, consisting of 9 whorled seed scales. The upper scales, when the seeds ripen, grow among themselves and with the seeds, forming bluish-black fruits with a bluish wax coating – cones. Pollination takes place in May and seeds in cones are formed in the second year after pollination. Seeds brown, oblong, trihedral. Fruits in 5-10 years. Abundant harvests are repeated after 3-5 years. Life expectancy – up to 600 years (there is evidence that he lives up to 2000 years). Propagated by seeds. Distributed in the forest zone of the European part of the CIS, in the Urals and Siberia. It grows on dry sandy soils, forming an undergrowth layer in pine forests, occasionally found in deciduous forests on more fertile soils. Forms thickets at the site of clearings. Grows best in moderately moist soils in open areas. Frost-resistant. Can tolerate shade. In summer, 1 hectare of juniper thickets emits phytoncides 6 times more than conifers, and 15 times more than deciduous ones. It is believed that this amount is quite enough, to purify the air of a medium-sized city. At the same time, juniper is very sensitive to air pollution, which is why it is often absent or very oppressed in the forests of the environs of large cities. In Russia, juniper branches consecrated in churches were placed behind icons, fastened under the ceiling, in barns, considering this protection from evil spirits. And the cattle themselves were driven out to pasture with a juniper branch in the belief that it would protect the cattle from diseases and other misfortunes. The seeds of the plant, worn on the body, are supposedly able to protect against snake bites. For many peoples, juniper is a symbol of overcoming death, a symbol of eternal life. Related to this is the burning of juniper branches at funerals, covering the deceased with them in the aftermath. In ancient Rome and Greece, this plant was considered a sure remedy against snakes. In the well-known myth of the Argonauts, how Medea and Jason, with the help of juniper, put to sleep the monstrous serpent guarding the golden fleece. In the Middle Ages, it was considered an almost universal remedy. The famous Italian physician of the 16th century, Pietro Andree Mattioli (Mattiolus), emphasized the effectiveness of juniper as a diuretic and uterine remedy.
COLLECTION AND DRYING OF RAW MATERIALS
Medicinal raw materials are the fruits of juniper (Fructus Juniperi). They are harvested in autumn, when they are fully ripe, when they turn black and blue. When harvesting, it is strictly forbidden to cut down shrubs and cut branches. After harvesting, the raw materials are cleaned of needles, twigs and unripe cones. Particular attention should be paid to the cleaning of raw materials from herbal bugs, which give it an unpleasant odor. The fruits are dried in air dryers, under sheds or in heat dryers at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. In dry weather, they can be dried outdoors. To avoid self-heating, the raw material will need to be shoveled. The shelf life of raw materials is 2-3 years (when storing juniper fruits, an intense loss of essential oil occurs). The smell of raw materials is peculiar, fragrant; sweet, spicy taste. Juniper fruits are exported (in England it is a necessary component for making gin). Cossack juniper (Juniperus sabina L.), which is very poisonous, should not be mixed. Its fruits are tuberous, black-blue, with green flesh, with 2 seeds, much longer than the leaves (in common juniper, the fruits are 2-3 times shorter than the needles), with a sharp unpleasant odor. The leaves are not needle-like, but scaly, flat, pressed against the branch.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Juniper infusion has a diuretic effect, which is mainly due to the presence of essential oil in its fruits and the terpineol contained in it, which enhances filtration in the renal glomeruli and inhibits the reverse resorption of sodium and chlorine ions in the convoluted tubules of the kidneys. In addition, galenic products of the fruits of the plant increase bile formation and bile secretion, increase the secretion of gastric juice, slightly increase intestinal motility and have a bactericidal effect. Essential oil enhances the secretion of the bronchial glands, promotes liquefaction of the secret and facilitates its removal due to increased activity of the ciliated epithelium of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE
Roots. In folk medicine, a decoction is used for stomach ulcers, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, skin diseases. Branches. In folk medicine, a decoction is used for exudative diathesis, scurvy. Fruits (cones), branches. In folk medicine, a decoction – with a delay in menstruation. Infusion (externally in the form of baths) – for rheumatism, gout. Fruits. Infusion – as a diuretic and disinfectant for diseases of the urinary tract. In folk medicine, infusion, decoction – for chronic inflammation of the bladder, kidney stones, diseases of the stomach and liver, leucorrhoea, edema, malaria, gout, rheumatism; externally – for pain in the ears, as a distraction for rheumatic and gouty pains, in the form of rinses for inflammation of the gums, also for wet lichen and scabies. Juice – as a diuretic for inflammation of the urinary tract, metabolic arthritis. Fresh berries – with stomach ulcers, liver diseases. Essential oil (from unripe fruits) externally – for scabies. The fruits are part of the diuretic fees.
DOSAGE FORMS, METHOD OF APPLICATION AND DOSES
Infusion of juniper fruits (Infusum fructuum Juniperi): 10 g (1 tablespoon) of crushed raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of hot boiled water, close the lid and heat in boiling water (in a water bath) for 15 minutes, cool at room temperature for for 45 minutes, filter, the remaining raw material is squeezed out. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted with boiled water to 200 ml. Store in a cool place for no more than 2 days. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times every day after eating. ♦ Decoction of juniper fruits: 10 g of raw material is poured into 400 ml of boiling water, boiled for 20 minutes, insisted at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, then filtered. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times every day. ♦ Decoction of juniper fruits: 100 g of raw material is poured into 1 liter of boiling water, boiled for 20 minutes, insisted for 10-15 minutes, then filtered. Pour 1 liter of decoction into the bath. ♦ Juniper juice: squeezed in September – October from ripe berries. Take 1 tablespoon of juice and honey 3 times every day.♦ Infusion of juniper fruits and stems: 50 g of fruits and stems are brewed in a bucket of boiling water, leave for 4 hours. inflammatory diseases of the kidneys (nephritis, nephroso-nephritis), peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, acute gastritis and colitis, also for pregnant women, because they increase blood flow to the pelvic organs. Preparations containing the fruits of the plant should not be prescribed for a long period, as they irritate the renal parenchyma. It is necessary to strictly observe the dosage, since the simultaneous intake of 50 fruits threatens with severe poisoning. In case of poisoning, pain in the throat, abdomen, vomiting mixed with blood, diarrhea, profuse urination (due to irritation of the kidneys) are found. In pregnant women, uterine bleeding begins, and a miscarriage is possible. In cases of severe poisoning, dangerous kidney damage, convulsions and loss of consciousness are observed. Urgent measures consist of washing the stomach with a large amount of water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, taking saline laxatives (sodium or magnesium sulfate 15-25 g with 2-3 glasses of water), mucous decoctions of starch or salep (give 1 tablespoon every 15 minutes). To stimulate cardiac activity, injections of camphor or caffeine-benzoate (1-2 ml of a 20% solution) can be made. vomiting with an admixture of blood, diarrhea, profuse urination (due to irritation of the kidneys). In pregnant women, uterine bleeding begins, and a miscarriage is possible. In cases of severe poisoning, dangerous kidney damage, convulsions and loss of consciousness are observed. Urgent measures consist of washing the stomach with a large amount of water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, taking saline laxatives (sodium or magnesium sulfate 15-25 g with 2-3 glasses of water), mucous decoctions of starch or salep (give 1 tablespoon every 15 minutes). To stimulate cardiac activity, injections of camphor or caffeine-benzoate (1-2 ml of a 20% solution) can be made. vomiting with an admixture of blood, diarrhea, profuse urination (due to irritation of the kidneys). In pregnant women, uterine bleeding begins, and a miscarriage is possible. In cases of severe poisoning, dangerous kidney damage, convulsions and loss of consciousness are observed. Urgent measures consist of washing the stomach with a large amount of water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, taking saline laxatives (sodium or magnesium sulfate 15-25 g with 2-3 glasses of water), mucous decoctions of starch or salep (give 1 tablespoon every 15 minutes). To stimulate cardiac activity, injections of camphor or caffeine-benzoate (1-2 ml of a 20% solution) can be made. In cases of severe poisoning, dangerous kidney damage, convulsions and loss of consciousness are observed. Urgent measures consist of washing the stomach with a large amount of water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, taking saline laxatives (sodium or magnesium sulfate 15-25 g with 2-3 glasses of water), mucous decoctions of starch or salep (give 1 tablespoon every 15 minutes). To stimulate cardiac activity, injections of camphor or caffeine-benzoate (1-2 ml of a 20% solution) can be made. In cases of severe poisoning, dangerous kidney damage, convulsions and loss of consciousness are observed. Urgent measures consist of washing the stomach with a large amount of water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, taking saline laxatives (sodium or magnesium sulfate 15-25 g with 2-3 glasses of water), mucous decoctions of starch or salep (give 1 tablespoon every 15 minutes). To stimulate cardiac activity, injections of camphor or caffeine-benzoate (1-2 ml of a 20% solution) can be made.
APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS
The wood is thin-layered, dense, light, strong, white with a red core, used for small crafts, suitable for making a pencil stick, can give brown and red paint, and is well polished. It is used in fisheries (they cover ponds for spawning, where mirror carp are bred). Pine needles and fruits are used for smoking meat and fish products. Juniper fruits are used in the alcoholic beverage industry for flavoring alcoholic beverages. Suitable for making kvass, fruit drink, beer. Used to distill juniper vodka (gin). Added as a spice to meat dishes, pickles, sauerkraut, marinades. Used as a coffee substitute. The essential oil is used in perfumery. Lacquer is made from the resin of cones. Unripe fruits have coloring properties and stain fabrics in a yellow-green color. A decoction of fruits with a small amount of flour helps to increase the milk yield of cattle. Ripe fruits are a delicacy for birds (in winter, they do not often save black grouse, hazel grouse, capercaillie, bullfinch from death). It is used in decorative garden and park construction and in field-protective afforestation as an anti-erosion rock.
TASTY TIPS
Juniper seasoning.
Grind dried juniper berries like black pepper. Use to add to meat soups (1 teaspoon for 4-5 servings).
Juniper syrup.
Evaporate juice from juniper berries in a water bath to 2/3 of the original volume. The result is a syrup containing within 60% sugar.
Kvass with juniper.
3-5 hours before kvass is ready, add juniper broth to it (10 fruits per 1 liter of water).
Kvass from fresh apples, mountain ash and juniper.
Boil chopped apples with peel (1.5 kg), add juniper syrup (300 ml), yeast (100 g), mashed with sugar (200-300 g), lemon peel (to taste), rowan juice (300- 400 ml). Insist 2-3 days in a warm place. Remove the foam, pour the drink into bottles or jars and cork. Store in a cool place.
Juniper juice.
Mash the berries (1 kg), remove the seeds, pour water (3 l) heated to a temperature of 50 ° C for 2-3 hours, then strain. Use for flavoring drinks, dough.
Juniper and cranberry lemonade.
Mash cranberries with a wooden pestle, squeeze juice (200 ml), mix with juniper syrup (150-200 ml), add pieces of lemon peel, sparkling water.
Soup with juniper.
In salted meat broth or water (500 ml), boil potatoes (200 g), carrots (100 g), parsley root (15 g), onions (25 g), add juniper berries (10 g) and boil for another 5 minutes.
Meat stew with juniper.
Fry the pieces of meat in vegetable oil or fat, put in a goose dish, add onions (50 g), garlic (3-4 cloves), cumin seeds, dill, bay leaf, a little broth or water and simmer over low heat until tender. At the end of cooking, salt, pour in a decoction of juniper, season with tomato sauce. To prepare a decoction, grind dried juniper fruits (10 g), boil for 30 minutes in water (500 ml) over low heat, then strain.
Cabbage sauerkraut with juniper.
Grind dry berries (20 g) in a mortar and boil in 1 liter of water. Pour the broth into the cabbage with salting (500 ml per 10 kg).
Juniper beer.
Boil fresh berries (200 g) in water (2 l) for 30 minutes, strain and cool to room temperature, add honey (50 g) and yeast (25 g), then stir and set for fermentation. When the yeast rises to the top, stir again and bottle. Leave the bottles closed with corks for 3-5 days in a cool place.
Juniper pour.
Berries (10 g fresh or 5-6 g dried) boil in a small amount of water. Strain the broth, add honey (50 g) to it, mix with vodka (1 l) and insist for 5-10 days.