Evidence supporting the use of: Juniper
For the health condition: Gout

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Juniper (Juniperus communis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for various ailments, including gout. In traditional European and Native American medicine, juniper berries were sometimes used as a diuretic and to "cleanse the blood," with the idea that increasing urine flow could help eliminate uric acid, the substance responsible for gout attacks. However, this rationale stems from pre-modern medical theories rather than scientific understanding of gout’s pathophysiology. There is very limited scientific evidence supporting the use of juniper for gout. While some in vitro studies have shown that juniper extracts possess anti-inflammatory properties, there is a lack of clinical trials or robust evidence demonstrating that juniper can effectively lower uric acid levels or prevent gout attacks in humans. Most modern herbal references cite only traditional use, and authoritative sources such as the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rate its effectiveness for gout as lacking reliable scientific proof. Additionally, high doses of juniper can be nephrotoxic, which is a concern given the potential kidney complications in gout patients. In summary, while juniper’s use for gout is rooted in tradition, scientific validation is minimal, and safety concerns limit its recommendation for this purpose.

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