Juniper – An Aphrodisiac for Men

The very mention of aphrodisiacs brings to mind exotic fruits and herbs which provide a rush of sexual energy and heighten erotic pleasure. On the contrary, substances reputed to have aphrodisiacal properties have a much more mundane action – they cure the body of ailments which may be interfering with sexual pleasure or evoke sensual delights to create the right mood for love. The Juniper berry works in both ways to arouse sexual desire among men.

About juniper

Juniper is an evergreen coniferous shrub or small tree found across the northern hemisphere from Europe to Siberia. As its botanical name Juniperis communis suggests, the shrub most often occurs in groups. The medicinal properties of juniper lie in its berries which are actually dark, blue-black scales of its cones. Unlike other pine cones, those of juniper are soft and fleshy and hence commonly referred to as the plant’s berries.

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How juniper works as an aphrodisiac

The key of juniper’s use as an aphrodisiac may lie in the anti-bacterial properties of the berries which has long been treated to cure a wide range of urinary tract infections. Juniper berries owe their medicinal properties to an essential oil which is mainly made up of monoterpenes - 80% alpha- and beta-pinene, thujene, sabinene, 5% terpinene-4-ol, alpha-terpineol, borneol and geraniol. Compounds known as sesqiterpenes (alpha- and beta-cadinen, caryophyllene) are only found in traces in the berries. Studies have found that certain components of the essential oil have antiseptic properties and are especially useful in the treatment of urinary tract disorders like cystitis and urethritis. Men suffering from these painful conditions are unlikely to enjoy sex. However with the use of juniper berries, the antiseptic volatile oil is excreted in the urine, disinfecting the urinary tract as it passes through and healing the urinary system. In this way juniper berries may help to treat infections and prepare the body for a healthy sexual life.

Another important way in which juniper berries may act as an aphrodisiac is by appealing to the senses of smell and taste. Ripe juniper berries have a refreshing smell, described as green-fresh and spiced by citrus notes. The essential oil distilled from the berries too have a rich, balsamic, woody sweet and pine-like fragrance. This may induce an exhilarating effect in men, stimulating their erotic senses and creating the right mood for love. It is this property of juniper berries and the essential oil which have led to their use in manufacture of perfumes and other personal care products.

Related to the sensual effects of juniper is its use as a spice in a variety of European dishes. Interestingly it is the only spice derived from coniferous plants and one of the very few one that come from colder climes. Tender Juniper leaves and ripe berries are used to season Scandinavian, German, Austrian, Czech and Hungarian cuisine. It is a vital ingredient in German sauerkrauts besides being used to flavor gin as well as the Finnish rye-and-juniper beer known as sahti.

Among other medicinal uses of juniper berries is in the management of diabetes. Certain Indian tribes in western North America were believed to have used the berry to suppress appetite which led modern researchers to study the juniper berry as a possible treatment for diet-controlled diabetes. These studies have found that juniper berries facilitate the release of insulin from the pancreas and thereby help in controlling hunger.

Besides this, juniper has long been known for their cleansing properties. In ancient Egypt, the branches and berries of juniper were burnt in temples as part of the purification process. In fifteenth century Europe, herbalists burnt juniper to guard against plague and was later used in French hospitals to clear the air. In the Ayurvedic system of medicine too, juniper is regarded as a purifier of the body. Some of these practices may be due to juniper’s antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties. While this medicinal action of juniper may not directly related to the boosting of male libido, the fact that juniper may work to detoxify the body and heal various ailments make it a natural aid for healthy sex.

Using juniper

Most of the medicinal properties of juniper are concentrated in the berries which are best used when ripe and a dark blue in color. The fresh berries may be made into a syrup. The dried berries are either used in the distillation of an essential oil or as seasoning in foods. Juniper oil is light yellow in color and has important applications in aromatherapy. Other than these there are tablets, capsules and tinctures which contain juniper berry extracts and are commercially available.

A herbal infusion can be made from dried Juniper berries. To prepare this, 2-3 grams of dried berries are steeped in 150 ml of hot water which is then taken by mouth 3-4 times a day. For the treatment of dyspepsia , 20-50 mg of the berry essential oil is usually taken twice a day with the maximum limit of 100 mg a day. For the treatment of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, essential juniper oil is usually diluted with uva ursi, manzanita or pipsissewa.

Juniper has a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in United States. However the level when used in food should not exceed 0.006% when used as oil and 0.01% as an extract.

Possible side effects of using juniper

Adverse effects noticed in some individuals using oral preparations of juniper include sudden lowering of blood pressure, liver toxicity, kidney damage or kidney failure. Sometimes topical application of juniper oil may lead to skin irritation, blisters or even burns. Excessive usage or overdose of juniper may cause high amounts of protein in urine, blood in urine, increased heart rate, high blood pressure and even convulsions.

Use of juniper is not advised in pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as in individuals less than eighteen years of age because of the potent effects of the berries.

Juniper may increase the risk of bleeding when used with blood-thinning drugs and may also lower blood glucose levels when taken with medication for diabetes.

Finally, the very properties which make juniper a potent medicinal and aphrodisiacal aid may also interfere with other medical conditions. Therefore it is best taken under the guidance of a trained healthcare professional.