Evidence supporting the use of: Juniper berries
For the health condition: Bladder Infection

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Juniper berries (Juniperus communis) have a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in European and Native American traditions, for treating urinary tract issues, including bladder infections. The rationale behind their use is primarily based on their reputed diuretic properties, which were believed to help "flush out" the urinary tract and potentially reduce infection. Historically, juniper was also thought to have mild antiseptic properties due to the presence of volatile oils such as terpinen-4-ol. However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. Some in vitro studies have demonstrated that extracts from juniper berries possess mild antibacterial activity against certain pathogens, but these findings have not been consistently replicated in human clinical trials or shown to be effective specifically for bladder infections. Most available human evidence is anecdotal or based on traditional herbalist accounts rather than modern, rigorous clinical studies. Modern herbal guidelines sometimes mention juniper for urinary complaints, but they also caution about potential kidney irritation and contraindicate its use in people with existing kidney disease or during pregnancy. As such, while juniper berries have a strong tradition of use for bladder infections, the scientific evidence to support their efficacy and safety for this purpose is weak. For these reasons, juniper should not replace clinically-proven treatments for bladder infection, such as antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider.

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