Background
Don't confuse juniper berry oil with cade oil, which is distilled from juniper wood (Juniperus oxycedrus).
Some people take juniper by mouth for problems with digestion, urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods, juniper berry is often used as a condiment. The extract, oil, and berry are used as flavoring ingredients in foods and beverages.
In manufacturing, juniper extract and oil are used as fragrances in soaps and cosmetics.
Safety Safety definitions
When applied to the skin: Juniper is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when applied to small sections of healthy skin. Using juniper on the skin can cause irritation, burning, redness, and swelling in some people. Do not apply juniper to damaged or irritated skin.
When inhaled: Juniper is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when inhaled appropriately as a vapor.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE to use juniper if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Juniper's effects on the uterus might interfere with fertility or cause a miscarriage. It's also best to avoid using juniper if you are breast-feeding. Not enough is known about how juniper might affect a nursing infant.Diabetes: Juniper berry might lower blood sugar. There is some concern that it might lower blood sugar too much in people with diabetes.
Stomach and intestinal disorders: Juniper berry might irritate the stomach and intestines, making disorders in these organs worse.
High blood pressure, low blood pressure: Juniper berry might affect blood pressure and could make blood pressure control more difficult.
Surgery: Juniper might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control more difficult during and after surgery. Stop using juniper at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
- Bloating.
- Heartburn.
- Joint and muscle pain.
- Kidney and bladder stones.
- Loss of appetite.
- Upset stomach.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Wounds.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Lithium
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Juniper might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking juniper might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Juniper might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking juniper along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Juniper seems to work like "water pills" by causing the body to lose water. Taking juniper along with other "water pills" might cause the body to lose too much water. Losing too much water can cause you to be dizzy and your blood pressure to go too low.
Some "water pills" include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Interactions with foods
Action
Products
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