

However, human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

Test-tube and animal studies indicate that juniper berry extract provides strong antibacterial and antifungal effects.

While it’s clear that juniper berries have antibacterial and antifungal properties, human studies are needed to examine whether their extract can be used to treat fungal or bacterial infections in people. intracellulare ( 17).Įxtract from the berries also may have antibacterial effects against many bacteria, including Campylobacter jejuni, which commonly cause food poisoning, and Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that may cause skin, lung, and bone infections ( 18, 19, 20, 21). The strongest fungus-killing activities occurred against dermatophytes, as well as Candida species, which cause fungal infections like mouth and yeast infections ( 16).Īnother test-tube study found that juniper berry essential oil significantly inhibited the activity of three bacteria that can cause serious infections in humans - M. In one test-tube study, juniper berry essential oil demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal effects against 16 species of bacteria, yeasts, yeast-like fungi, and dermatophytes, a type of fungus that grows on your skin, causing diseases like ringworm ( 16). These are attributed to potent compounds in their oil, including sabinene, limonene, myrcene, and alpha- and beta-pinene ( 16). Test-tube and animal studies show that juniper berries have powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties. Juniper berries contain essential oils and flavonoids that offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Juniper berries are also rich in the flavonoids rutin, luteolin, and apigenin, which test-tube, animal, and human studies have shown can act as powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents ( 9, 10, 11).
Juniper berries skin#
The main role of these enzymes is to protect cells from free radical damage ( 7).Īnother test-tube study showed that juniper berry essential oil significantly reduced inflammation in human skin cells, an effect that researchers attributed to the oil’s high concentration of monoterpenes ( 8). The study found that the oil reduced cellular damage in yeast cells by increasing the activity of the enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. All of them add to the oil’s strong antioxidant effects. One test-tube study detected over 70 compounds in juniper berry essential oil, with the monoterpenes alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, myrcene, limonene, and sabinene making up the majority. Juniper berries are rich in essential oils and flavonoids that function as potent antioxidants and may help reduce inflammation. Provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effectsĪntioxidant-rich foods are important for health, as they help protect your cells against damage that may otherwise lead to illness. Juniper berries are high in vitamin C, flavonoid antioxidants, monoterpenes, and coumarins, all of which may offer various health benefits.Ģ. Consuming a diet rich in these compounds can promote health and may protect against chronic conditions, including heart and neurodegenerative diseases ( 5, 6). Monoterpenes have been shown to provide anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties ( 4).Ĭoumarins and flavonoid antioxidants also offer an array of health-promoting effects. The volatile oils in juniper berries contain substances known as monoterpenes, including limonene, camphor, and beta-pinene. The berries also pack many plant compounds, including flavonoid antioxidants, volatile oils, and coumarins, which are chemical compounds with various protective properties ( 1). It also acts as a strong antioxidant, protecting your cells from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals ( 3). Vitamin C is essential for immune health, collagen synthesis, and blood vessel function. Like most other berries, they’re a good source of vitamin C, delivering 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of this water-soluble nutrient in a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving ( 2). Though nutrition information on juniper berries is limited, they’re known to provide certain vitamins and an array of plant compounds. High in nutrients and powerful plant compounds
