Juniper Berries: Would would become of our beloved gin and tonics without juniper? Surely, nothing! But juniper doesn’t only reside in our glasses; it also brings a whole range of benefits to our bodies.
The juniper berries, grown in bushes that can reach 7 metres high, have sharp, dark green leaves and are a fundamental ingredient for all stomach ailments. Without having to leave Europe (although it can also be found in Asia and North America), we can still find it at its highest quality. It was bet on in Ancient Greece for its ability to increase athletes’ physical endurance before important sporting events.
Including juniper berries in your daily life will greatly improve your digestive health and diuretic system. Thanks to its terpinene-4, which decreases our levels of uric acid, kidney activity is increased without losing electrolytes such as potassium (which is very common when treating renal activity).
Juniper berries have truly captivated us because:
– They’re a powerful antioxidant: they’re able to remove harmful, free radicals from our bodies as well as prevent and improve illnesses or diseases in the brain and blood vessels.
– Strong antibacterial: juniper berry oil has a strong action-reaction against bacteria, inhibiting their movement.
– Eliminate toxins from the body: we toxins in our bodies as if they’ve made us rich, but really they drain us, depriving us of restful sleep and energy.
– Allies to our bowel and stomach: increase the flow of digestive fluids contributing to lighter, better digestion.
– Diuretic function: helps to release fluid retention which reduces swelling and contributes to weight loss.
How can you eat them?
They’ll help you conserve food due to their spiciness. Mash and rub them over meat or include them in fish sauce. You can also make Juniper Berry Tea infusions which is very rich and digestible/
You should always keep these incredible berries in mind.
They’re absolutely indispensable in a cocktail bar. Add one or two juniper berries to your glass and everything will change. Squeeze them a little with your fingers, add them to your gin and tonic and enhance the flavour of gin like you never have before.