Juniper oil

As you know, juniper cones are distinguished by a light, spicy aroma of meadow herbs and forests, as well as a resinous, bittersweet taste, due to which they are widely used in the industrial production of various drinks.

So, on the basis of juniper cones, special varieties of wines are often made along with quite popular juniper vodka and gin. In addition, these fruits are used in the liquor industry and brewing, and they are also considered an indispensable component of many spicy mixtures.

Interestingly, juniper essential oil, which is widely used in cooking, is also made from different parts of this fragrant evergreen. In particular, the aromatic properties of juniper oil are highly appreciated when smoking sausages, as well as the manufacture of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, where this natural concentrate plays the role of a flavoring agent.

In addition, juniper oil can be found in foods such as chewing gum, candy or ice cream. In home cooking, juniper oil is often added to dishes of game and meat, sauces, broths and vegetables. The plant itself, along with its essential oil, is popular in Scandinavian, German and French cuisines.

Juniper berries contain a lot of essential oil, which in turn consists of substances such as terpineol, camphen, terpenes, pinene, cadinene, borneol and many others. In addition, coloring substances, sugars, important organic acids (apple, acetic and formic) are present in the composition of juniper oil. It also has trace elements (iron, aluminum, manganese, copper).

Juniper essential oil is produced in industrial conditions by steam distillation. Moreover, for the manufacture of one kilogram of this valuable product, 30-50 kilograms of raw materials are needed.

Juniper oil has strong phytoncidal properties. It is believed that in places where juniper grows, the air is much cleaner and more healing. Even the ancient North American Indians left patients with ailments of bones, joints, as well as tuberculosis in the thickets of juniper, where the air is simply saturated with therapeutic volatile ethers.

By the way, it is essential oil made from immature juniper fruits that is used in the production of immersion oil, which is necessary during microscopic studies, as well as for the preparation of essences of a refreshing nature.

Juniper fruits along with the essential oil of this plant are distinguished by the presence of diuretic, urinary tract disinfecting properties. In addition, juniper oil is characterized by digestive, choleretic and quenching effects, thanks to which this natural concentrate is indicated in diarrhea and flatulence.