Juniperus Communis In Herbal Medicine

Other Common Names: Ardij Aghaji, Common Juniper, Enebro, Havrest, Sabino Macho, Yoshu-Nezu, Juniperus communis

Range: Britain; Canada; Europe; Kurdistan; Malaya; North Africa; North Asia; USA

Habitat: Chalk downs, but only where there is least sunshine and most rain, heaths, moors, pine and birch woods, on acid peat, often dominant on chalk, limestone and slate.

Juniper fruits are commonly used in herbal medicine, as a household remedy, and also in some commercial preparations. They are especially useful in the treatment of digestive disorders plus kidney and bladder problems.

The fully ripe fruits are strongly antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, strongly diuretic, rubefacient, stomachic and tonic. They are used in the treatment of cystitis, digestive problems, chronic arthritis, gout and rheumatic conditions. They can be eaten raw or used in a tea, but some caution is advised since large doses can irritate the urinary passage. Externally, it is applied as a diluted essential oil, having a slightly warming effect upon the skin and is thought to promote the removal of waste products from underlying tissues. It is, therefore, helpful when applied to arthritic joints. The fruits should not be used internally by pregnant women since this can cause an abortion. The fruits also increase menstrual bleeding so should not be used by women with heavy periods. When made into an ointment, they are applied to exposed wounds and prevent irritation by flies.

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Toxin elimination'.

The fruit is readily eaten by most animals, especially sheep, and is said to prevent and cure dropsy in the latter.

Fruit - raw or cooked. It is usually harvested in the autumn when fully ripe and then dried for later use. A soft, mealy, sweet, resinous flesh. The fruit is often used as a flavoring in sauerkraut, stuffings, vegetable pates etc, and is an essential ingredient of gin. An essential oil is sometimes distilled from the fruit to be used as a flavoring. Average yields are around 1%. The cones are about 4 - 8mm in diameter and take 2 - 3 years to mature. Some caution is advised when using the fruit, see the notes on toxicity.

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. A tea is made by boiling the leaves and stems. A tea made from the berries has a spicy gin-like flavor.

A decoction of the branches is used as an anti-dandruff shampoo. The essential oil distilled from the fruits is used in perfumes with spicy fragrance.

Known Hazards: Although the fruit of this plant is quite often used medicinally and as a flavoring in various foods and drinks, large doses of the fruit can cause renal damage. Juniper should not be used internally in any quantities by pregnant women.

  • Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984 ISBN 0723408394

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