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In mediaeval times Juniper Berries were used to flavour whisky in Scotland, but since that time the berries have been primarily used in the flavouring of gin. Juniper Berries were administered medicinally to cure tapeworm infections as early as 1500 B.C., as recorded on an Egyptian papyrus dating back to this time.

Juniper Berries contain a volatile oil that stimulates kidney filtration and output and it is thus best known as a diuretic treating kidney and bladder problems and relieving the symptoms of gout and kidney stones. Consumed raw the berries have also shown to stimulate appetite and treat rheumatism and arthritis and brewed as a tea, remedy flatulence and relieve colic.

Juniper Berries belong to the Cupressaceae plant family and are also known as Juniper bush and Juniper bark. The evergreen shrub stands approximately five feet high and thrives on sunny slopes. Similar to wine the properties of the berries differ according to the year of yielding, influencing the chemical and physical characteristics of the oil distilled.

Commercial Juniper oil is primarily obtained from the dried ripe fruit which take two to three years to mature – the berries start off a greeny-yellowy colour and reach a dark purply blue when fully ripe, possessing a bitter balsamic taste. Juniper oil is derived from the ripe fruit after it has been dried and crushed.

Apart from the medicinal use and flavouring of gin, the oil from Juniper Berries is also used to flavour food and scent perfume and soap.

Parts used

• Ripe dried berries
• Leaves

Active compounds

• Volatile oil. Myrcene, sabinene and x-pinene, with 4-cineole, p-cymene, camphene, limonene, b-pinene, terpin-4-ol, y-terpinene, x-thujene.
• Condensed tannins
• Diterpene acids. Myreocommunic, communic, sandaracopimaric, isopimaric, torulosic acids and other diterpenes such as geijerone
• Other. Sugars, resin, wax, lignin, salines and vitamin C

Actions

• Anti-microbial
• Anti-rheumatic
• Antiseptic
• Carminative
• Diuretic
• Tonic

Medicinal uses of Juniper Berries

Internally

• Cystitis; due to the antiseptic properties
• Stimulate and protect the kidneys; primarily roles of Juniper essential oil
• Assist in digestions and ease flatulence and colic; due to the bitter action
• Rheumatism and arthritis
• Assist in treating cardiac and liver disease
• Relieve chest complaints
• Stimulant; a primary role of Juniper oil

Externally

• Joint and muscle pain

Dosage

Tea
Steep one teaspoon of lightly crushed Juniper Berries in a cup of boiling water for 20 minutes. Drink twice a day, morning and night.

Tincture
0.5 - 1 ml three times a day

Juniper Berry oil
Pure oil: 1 to 5 drops twice a day
In capsule form: Two capsules twice a day (with meals)

Safety
Juniper Berry products should be avoided by anyone suffering from kidney disease and by pregnant women. Juniper products are known to increase contractions of the uterus in the case of pregnancy. In addition herbs can react with medication and it would be advisable to consult with a physician before taking Juniper herbal remedies.

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