Enebro: what it is for, properties and how to consume it

The enebro is a medicinal plant of the species Juniperus communis, commonly known as ajarje, cimbro, anavio, among others, whose fruits are round and bluish or black. The fruits are also known as enebro berries and are rich in oils such as myrceno and cineole (eucalyptol), in addition to flavonoids and vitamin C, which is why they are used to treat various health problems, in particular stomach and the skin, inflammation and urinary infections.

Although it has several health benefits, the use of the brain can also generate side effects, especially when the plant is consumed excessively and for more than 6 weeks, including kidney and gastrointestinal problems, increased uterine contractions, abortion and lame irritation. bladder. The brain is contraindicated in women who are embarrassed and in people with nephritis.

The enebro can be acquired in natural products stores or in municipal markets. However, its use must always be carried out under the guidance of a doctor or another health professional who has experience in the use of medicinal plants.

The main benefits of the brain are the following:

1. Eliminates fungi and bacteria

El enebro has essential acceptances such as el sabineno, el limoneno, el mirceno and el pineno, capable of eliminating fungi, mainly los hongos de la piel, as Candida spp., and the following bacteria:

• Escherichia coli, which causes urinary tract infection;

• Staphylococcus aureus, which causes lung, skin and bone infections;

  
  
  

• Hafnia alvei, that it forms part of the normal intestinal flora, but it can also cause pneumonia, urinary tract infection, kidney infection and certain intestinal diseases;

• Pseudomonas aeruginosae, which causes lung, urinary and urinary tract infections.

In addition, the alcoholic extract of the brain also has action against bacteria, including Campylobacter jejuni, that can cause food poisoning, and Staphylococcus aureus, which is capable of generating infections in the skin, in the lungs and in the lungs.

2. Anti-inflammatory action

The essential oils and flavonoids such as rutin, luteolin and apigenin, present in the hydroalcoholic extract of the brain, work as potent anti-inflammatories, being very useful to treat inflammation of the throat and intestine, in addition to helping to reduce muscle and joint pain and tendonitis , for example, can reduce the production of inflammatory substances such as prostaglandins and cytokines.

3. Fight urinary infection

The brain has diuretic action, as it increases the production of urine and clears the urethra. For this reason, it can be used to help in the treatment of urinary infections and to prevent the formation of stones in the kidneys. See other treatments with diuretic properties.

The increase in the production of urine caused by the essential oils present in the brain, also helps in the fight against rheumatic problems such as gout or arthritis, as it increases the elimination of uric acid by the urine.

4. Reduce the hinchazón

The brain can be used to help reduce swelling, reducing fluid retention throughout the body due to its diuretic properties, which is why it is very useful especially in cases of kidney problems.

5. Improves the functioning of the digestive system

The essential oils present in the brain improve digestion by controlling the flow of liver bile and stomach acids, and increasing the production of digestive enzymes, regulating the digestive process. In addition, the astringent properties of the brain reduce stomach acidity, contributing to the treatment of ulcers.

The brain also protects the liver, reduces the production of intestinal gas, fights diarrhea and helps in the treatment of maggots and intestinal infections.

6. It has antioxidant action

The brain has phenolic compounds in its composition such as bioflavonoids and terpenes such as sabinene, limonene, mirceno and pineno, which have antioxidant action, as they combat free radicals and reduce damage in cells. Asimismo, el enebro helps prevent and fight diseases associated with oxidative stress caused by free radicals, such as atherosclerosis.

In addition, some animal studies show that, due to its antioxidant properties, it confers a protective effect on the nervous system, being able to help in the treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. However, further studies are needed in humans.

7. Protects against cardiovascular diseases

The brain has essential acceptances, such as totarol, and flavonoids, such as rutin, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action that help to reduce cholesterol absorption, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis.

Asimismo, the diuretic property of the brain also helps to control blood pressure, essential for the good functioning of the cardiovascular system.

8. Controls blood glucose

Certain studies have shown that flavonoids, such as rutin and amentoflavone, in the alcoholic extract and in the brain, can stimulate insulin production and reduce blood sugar levels, which can be an important ally in the treatment of diabetes.

See other plants that help to lower sugar naturally.

9. Reduce pain

The alcoholic extract of the brain has substances such as pinene, linalool and octanol with analgesic effects, and flavonoids such as rutin, luteolin and apigenin with anti-inflammatory effects, which help to reduce pain due to inhibiting the activity of substances involved in it, such as cyclooxygenase, for example.

10. Possess sedative action

The aroma of essential brain oil has sedative properties, so it can help your skin, helping to combat insomnia and improve the heat of the body. The essential oil can be used inhaled directly from the bottle or taken in the form of a tea before bed.

11. Combats respiratory problems

Enebro antioxidants, such as rutina and sugiol, are related to the improvement of asthma and bronchitis, especially when essential oil is used in the form of steam.

12. Improves the heat of the skin

Vitamin C, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances present in the brain tone and cleanse the skin, can have antiseptic and astringent action that improves the heat of the skin; in addition, it also helps to treat problems such as allergies, acne, eczema, psoriasis and dandruff in the hairy skin.

It can also be used in skin diseases due to its antibacterial properties.

Enebro provides several health properties, as it is antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, sedative, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, digestive, analgesic and diuretic, which is why it provides all the benefits mentioned above,

Normally, the used part of the brain is its enteric fruit, which is where its active substances are extracted. This can be consumed in the form of tea, tincture, also called alcoholic extract, or used in the form of essential oil, ointment or cream for the skin.

The main ways to use el enebro son las siguientes:

• Té de nebro: put 2 to 3 bays of fog in a water bowl, filling and covering. Leave to rest for 5 minutes and paste. It is recommended to drink from 1 to 3 glasses a day, for a maximum period of 6 weeks;

• tincture of fog (for external use): the tincture or alcoholic extract can be purchased at natural and herbal products pharmacies, or can be made at home. To do this, crush 10 berries of brain in 1 cup of grain alcohol at 70% or brandy. Place the mixture in a clean, dark and covered container, and leave to macerate for 1 week, being important to move the bottle every day to extract the components of the brain. From this period, paste and conserve. The tincture can be used on the skin in cases of rheumatism or muscle pain;

• essential oil oils (for external use): essential oil can be used as a flavoring agent, in the form of a vapor for lung problems, or on the skin mixed with other essential oil, such as almond oil, for example. Discover other ways to use essential oil. See other ways to use essential oil;

• Enebro tincture: add 30 drops, 2 to 3 times a day in 1 vase of water or yoke;

• Enebro ointment or cream (for external use): cream or ointment can be purchased from natural products pharmacies. These can be applied to the skin in cases of muscle or joint pain, calamities, rheumatism, gout or arthritis.

Another way to use el enebro is en banos de asiento to treat hemorrhoids due to its anti-inflammatory properties. You must use 1 teaspoon of tea in 100 to 200 ml of water to prepare the bath.

Likewise, you can also prepare a conditioner to use on the hairy skin in cases of psoriasis, mixing 10 drops of essential oil from the xylem of the brain with 1 tablespoon of almond oil and 600 ml of hot water. Apply it on the hairy skin for 15 minutes and then rinse.

The energy is safe for most adults when it is consumed for a short period of time, is inhaled in the form of steam or is used on the skin in small areas. However, if the brain is consumed in excessive amounts or for more than 6 weeks, it can cause respiratory and renal problems and irritation of the intestines, bladder and skin; make it difficult to control blood pressure in cases of hypertension, or reduce blood sugar levels, causing a hypoglycemic crisis in diabetics. Asimismo, el enebro can generate an increase in uterine contractions and, therefore, an abortion.

You must seek medical help immediately or go to emergencies if you have symptoms of intoxication by brain, such as difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting or convulsions.

Enebro should not be used in babies, children, women who are embarrassed or in the period of lactation nor by people with nephritis, which is an infection of kidneys. In case of embarrassment, it is recommended that, before using the embryo, an embarrassment test is carried out, because the embryo may cause an abortion due to the increase in uterine contractions.

Likewise, the brain should be used with caution by diabetic and hypertensive individuals, as it can increase the effect of medications for these diseases and cause side effects.

Essential oil must not be ingested or used directly on the skin due to the high intoxication capacity.

It is important to use the brain under the guidance of a doctor, phytotherapist or health professional who has specific knowledge on medicinal plants.