Berries

Juniper berries come from the female seed cones of various junipers. The name is misleading though as they aren’t really berries. The cone of the juniper features fleshy scales that often resemble berries. Most juniper berries are blue in color but some of them are orange or red. They grow in many areas of the Northern hemisphere on large evergreen trees. The berries are ripe in the fall.

It is believed juniper berries held a significant meaning in Egypt as tombs from early time periods had juniper berries in them. It is believed those juniper berries actually came from Greece. It was very common for the Greek athletes to consume juniper berries to give them strength and build their endurance. The Romans also used juniper berries as an alternative to pepper because the cost of pepper was very high.

Today, many people use juniper berries to add flavor to various foods including meats, stews, and marinades. It is actually classified as a spice in many parts of the world.
They are recommended for individuals who suffer from diabetes. Juniper berries have great nutritional value and they are naturally sweet. Diabetics can enjoy them without eating a sugary snack, yet they cure a craving for sugar.

Juniper berries are considered to be a natural product to cure various ailments including bladder infections. Some people claim that consuming a handful of juniper berries on a daily basis has helped relieve the pain of their arthritis better than any prescription medication they have ever taken. They are effective for relieving water retention due to other medications as well.

There aren’t any known side effects to consuming juniper berries and a food allergy to them is not known either. However, it is not recommended for pregnant women to consume them. It is know to help regulate menstruation and that isn’t something that should be triggered while you are pregnant. While there is no evidence that juniper berries can lead to a miscarriage in humans, tests so it does in rats.

You can pick your own juniper berries in many different locations or you can purchase them at various grocery stores and health food stores. Juniper berries are in high supply so you won’t find them to be very expensive unless you are looking for them in the off season.