Juniper in herbal medicine: Properties of the juniper

Scientific name

Juniperus communis

Family

Pinaceae

Origin

Temperate and cold regions of the northern hemisphere

Synonyms

Juniper

Used Parts

Drug consisting of berries (Official Pharmacopoeia).

Chemical constituents

Essential oil, whose main components are pinene, sabinene, candinene, myrcene, terpinene-4-ol;
Tannins;
diterpenes;
proanthocyanidins;
Flavonoids;
diterpenes;
Resins;
Monosaccharides.

Juniper in herbal medicine: Properties of the juniper

The infused juniper berries have diuretic activity (essential oil); however, in the literature there are conflicting data on the safety of the essential oil as such, in relation to the presence of some potentially nephrotoxic hydrocarbons.

Biological activity

The use of juniper has been officially approved only for the treatment of dyspeptic disorders, thanks to the carminative and stomachic action carried out by the essential oil and, probably, also by the resinous substances contained in the fruits of the plant.

However, many other properties are also attributed to juniper. The essential oil has shown, in fact, to possess diuretic and anti-inflammatory activity (exercised through the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzyme). In particular, the major responsible for the diuretic effect appears to be terpinene-4-ol, which is, in fact, contained in the essential oil of the plant.

Juniper has also been shown to have hypoglycemic, hypotensive, antiseptic and antiviral properties against Herpes simplex virus.

However, before being able to approve similar therapeutic applications of juniper, further and more in-depth clinical studies are needed.

Juniper against dyspeptic disorders

As mentioned, thanks to its stomachic and carminative properties, juniper can be used as a remedy to counter dyspeptic disorders.

For the treatment of these disorders, juniper must be taken internally. The usual recommended dose can range from 2 to 10 grams of drug per day, corresponding to about 20-100 mg of essential oil per day. However, given the potential toxicity of juniper essential oil, the duration of treatment should not exceed six weeks.

In case juniper tincture (1: 5) is used, it is generally recommended to take 1-2 ml of product three times a day.

Juniper in folk medicine and homeopathy

In folk medicine, juniper is used internally for the treatment of inflammation of the lower urinary tract, gout and arteriosclerosis; as well as being used as a remedy to regularize the menstrual cycle and reduce the pain associated with menstruation.

Externally, on the other hand, juniper is used in traditional medicine to combat rheumatism.

The plant is also used in homeopathic medicine, where it can be found in the form of granules, drops and glyceric macerate. In this field, juniper is used as a remedy against disorders of the lower urinary tract, cystitis, kidney stones and digestive disorders.

The amount of homeopathic remedy to be taken may vary from individual to individual, also depending on the type of disorder to be treated and the type of homeopathic preparation and dilution that is intended to be used.

Side effects

Following overdose or excessive use for long periods of juniper essential oil, symptoms of intoxication may occur, such as: pain in the kidney area, marked increase in diuresis, hematuria, albuminuria, tachycardia, hypertension. In some rare cases, seizures and metrorrhagia may also occur.