Positive effects of coffee

Coffee is always  good reason to get together with friends and have fun. If you are drinking it  alone it can be a form of meditation. With someone or alone it is nice to sit somewhere and slowly drink warm cup of coffee, specially if you eat chocolate or some cake with it.

         About coffee tree

Coffee tree is a small evergreen tree (2-3 m), that growes in Africa and South America. Fruits of coffee tree are green in the beginning and red when they are ripe. Each fruit has two seeds (coffee beans), from which the coffee is made.

                                                                                            

Positive effects of coffee

 This positive effects are from coffee made from coffee beans, not instant or coffee without caffeine.

Also don't drink to much, one or two cups a day are enough.

Positive effects of coffee are:

-         increases the depth and frequency of breathing (which improves the supply of oxygen to the blood and tissues),

-         increases the blood pressure,

-         improves intestinal muscular contraction,

-         enhances the intellect, imagination and the ability of verbal expression,

-         works positive in case of alcohol or drug poisoning,

-         strengthens the heart,

-         increases muscle resistance towards the fatigue,

-         caffeine works as an analgesic.

Caution

People with: high blood pressure, heart problems, gout, gastritis or gastroduodenal ulcer, pain in joints and muscles should be careful with drinking coffee.

Coffee dehydrates the body, so remember to drink more water.

Large amounts of coffee can induce chronic intoxication. Symptoms of intoxication are: insomnia, night mares, hand tremor, respiratory problems, lose of appetite, losing weight, tachycardia.

All of this symptoms disappear when we stop drinking too much coffee.

Common Juniper

         Description

Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a nice evergreen bush that can grow into tree. You can recognize it by its spiky leaves, green and dark blue berries. They are green in the beginning, when they mature green turns into dark blue. That happens every two years, because Juniper blooms in the spring but its berries became ripe  next year in the autumn.

Use

Only dark blue Juniper berries are used (usually dry) for healing, as a spice or for making alcoholic drinks.

In some countries Juniper berries are used for making beer, wine, aromatic vinegar, for giving aroma to gin and other alcoholic drinks.

In the kitchen it is used as a spice for meat and fish. Also for making jam and compote.

         Drying

Juniper berries are dried in the sun or artificial heat.

    
     Healing

Common Juniper is used for digestion, respiratory system, gout, rheumatism, sciatica, disinfection of urinary tract and respiratory system.

     

    When not to use it ?

It shouldn't be used in case of acute urinary infection.

 Pregnant women mustn't use Juniper because it can induce labours.

Juniper shouldn't be used in big amounts because it can be damagin to the kidneys.

         TEA

Tea is made from blue Juniper berries. It is good for digestive and respiratory problems.

To make tea, crush 1 teaspoon of dry berries, pour over them 1 cup of boiled water, cover. Strain after 5-10 min.

Drink 1-2 cups for problems with stomach and intestine.

For respiratory diseases add little bit of honey in a warm tea and drink it right away.

Tea can also be made from young spring sprouts, it is full of vitamins.

Tincture

Tincture is good for digestive problems, rheumatism, gout and sciatica.

It is made from 20g of dark blue Juniper berries and 5dl of alcohol (about 40%). Put the berries in the jar and pour alcohol over . Close it and leave in warm place for 1 week. Shake it from time to time. Strain and pour into bottle.

You can drink it in small amounts for digestive problems. For rheumatism, gout and sciatica rub it on the painful places.