Juniper Berry Whole Cert. Organic (Juniperus communis) 25 lb: K

This is Frontier's economical 25 lb. bulk pack. That is, twenty-five pounds packed in a heavy duty plastic bag within a sturdy cardboard box. The berries can be eaten whole, crushed, cooked with sweetner, or brewed into a tea, boiled to decoction strength, or steepd in wine. Juniper is the flavoring agent in gin. Juniper has traditionally been used in the making of everything from soap to perfume. Juniper ointment is a soothing antiseptic treatment for eczema and psoriasis. Juniper is an effective urinary antiseptic, and is carminative. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Juniper berry for 'Dyspepsia.' 'Contraindications: Pregnancy and inflammation of the kidneys. Side Effects: Prolonged usage or overdosing may cause kidney damage.' 'Daily dose: 2 to a maximum of 10 g of the dried juniper fruit, corresponding to 20 - 100 mg of the essential oil. Mode of Administration: Whole, crushed, or powdered drug for infusions and decoctions, alcohol extracts, and in wine. Essential oil. Liquid and solid medicinal forms only for oral application.' Combinations with other plant drugs in teas and similar preparations for treating bladder and kidney diseases may be helpful.' 'Action: Animal experiments have shown an increase in urine excretion as well as a direct effect on smooth muscle contraction.' Juniper is often combined with other diuretic and antimicrobial herbs for bladder and kidney conditions. The volatile oils cause an increase in urine volume, which seems to lower uric acid levels. Although juniper lignans inhibit the herpes simplex virus in laboratory studies, treatment for human herpes infections by juniper has yet to be proven. The traditional use of juniper in topical ointments, however, does seem to have some lab confirmation. Juniper contains bitter substances, at least partly accounting for its traditional use in digestive upset and related problems. The tea is made thick, a teaspoon of juniper berries being allowed to steep for 20 minutes in just one cup of boiling water. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Oil of Juniper is given as a diuretic, stomachic, and carminative in indigestion, flatulence, and diseases of the kidney and bladder. Spirit of Juniper has properties resembling Oil of Turpentine: it is employed as a stimulating diuretic in cardiac and hepatic dropsy. The fruit is readily eaten by most animals, especially sheep, and is said to prevent and cure dropsy in the latter.' 'The chief use of Juniper is as an adjuvant to diuretics in dropsy depending on heart, liver or kidney disease. It imparts a violet odour to the urine, and large doses may cause irritation to the passages. An infusion of 1 oz. to 1 pint of boiling water may be taken in the course of twenty-four hours. In France the berries have been used in chest complaints and in leucorrhoea, blenorrhoea, scrofula, etc. They are not given in subst