General Description
Juniper is an evergreen shrub or tree native to Europe and naturalized
in North America. Although juniper is most often found as a spreading,
low-lying shrub, there are tall varieties that may reach as much
as ten meters in height. The stems and branches of the plant are
covered with red bark, which is often coated with sticky sap. The
leaves are small and needle-like, 12-20 millimeters long. The plant
flowers from April through June, with male and female flowers on
separate plants. Male flowers grow in yellow catkins consisting
of several stamens in three-segmented whorls. The green, ovoid female
flowers, which consist of three carpels, eventually form the juniper
berries. The berries, which are used medicinally and as the principle
flavoring agent in gin, are bluish-white when ripe, and usually
contain two or three angular seeds. Because it may take as long
as three years for juniper berries to mature, ripe and green berries
are commonly found on the same plant.
Health Applications
- Water retention
- Indigestion
- Kidney/urinary tract health
- Diabetes
History and Traditional Use
Juniper has been used to flavor gin for over 300 years, and its
history of medicinal use dates back just as far. The famous 17th
century British herbalist Nicholas Culpeper recommended juniper
berries to stimulate urination, strengthen the stomach, and to
treat gas, cough, shortness of breath, gout, sciatica, and a host
of other ailments.1 Traditional herbalists
often recommend juniper berries as a diuretic and stomach remedy
for treatment of indigestion, flatulence, and diseases of the
kidneys and bladder.2
Chemical Composition
The primary active constituent in juniper berries is their volatile
oil, which is composed primarily of monoterpene hydrocarbon compounds.
Juniper berries also contain diterpenes, tannins, and flavonoids.3
Contemporary Uses
Modern herbalists use juniper to treat digestive disorders and
as a diuretic for disorders of the lower urinary tract.3
While Germany's Commission E lists juniper as an approved herb
for treatment of indigestion,4 some animal
studies suggest the herb may be useful in treatment of diabetes
as well.5,6
Dosage/Toxicity
The daily dosage approved by Commission E is 2 to 10 grams of
dried fruit or 20 to 100 mg of the essential oil.4
Duration of usage should be limited to six weeks, because long-term
administration may cause kidney damage.3 Juniper
is not recommended for use during pregnancy or for people with
inflammation of the kidneys. Juniper contains varying amounts
of vitamin K, which may interfere with the activity of anticoagulant
drugs used to treat hypertension.7 |
