Fruits of the juniper

Juniper berries contain essential oil, tar, sugars, organic acids. Essential oil and resins give the berry a characteristic smell, which is enhanced by their grinding. Essential oil of juniper has a strong diuretic effect, as well as expectorant, choleretic and antimicrobial effect. Long since the infusion and decoction of pine cones of juniper have been prescribed for edema, kidney stones, bladder inflammation and other diseases of the urinary system. It is important that the diuretic effect of these drugs is combined with disinfectant properties. However, preparations of juniper pineal glands irritate the kidneys, so they are contraindicated in a number of renal diseases, in particular, nephritis.