Medicinal Uses (Juniper) —
Reported to be carminative, cephalic, deobstruent, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, and stimulant. Berries, wood, and oil are used in folk remedies. The berries are sometimes chewed to alleviate halitosis. The Herbal PDR reports antidiabetic, antiexudative, and hypotensive activities in animals, antiviral effects in vitro. But MPI recounts less than mediocre results. Checking J. communis var. saxatilis, they reported only abortifacient effects, and no anthelminthic, antibacterial, antifertility, antifungal, antiviral, diuretic, and no CNS, CVS, and smooth muscle effect (MPI). More positively, MPI reports the berries active against the parasites that cause mange in sheep. Ether extracts of the berries inhibited Trichophyton both in vitro and in vivo (MPI). And if juniper really does prevent uric acid build-up, and red wine is really bad for gout, perhaps gout sufferers might try juniper tea (or maybe even a martini) in lieu of red wine! But remember that alcohol, especially red wine, is generally considered bad for gout. In a study of clinical applications of ayurvedic herbs, Khan and Balick (2001) note studies on juniper reducing levels of hyperglycemia. They also cite antifertility and antiimplantation activities.
Indications (Juniper) —
Ache (1; FAD; FNF); Amenorrhea (f; MAD); Anasarca (f; DEP); Anorexia (2; BGB; KAB; PH2); Arthrosis (1; APA; CAN; CRC; FNF); Ascites (1; FEL); Asthma (f; DEM);
Atherosclerosis (f; CRC; PH2); Backache (f; DEM); Bite (f; CRC; MAD); Blenorrhea (f; CRC); BPH
(1; PED); Bright’s Disease (f; DEP); Bronchosis (f; APA; CRC; FAD; KAB); Burn (f; MIC); Calculus (f; CRC); Cancer (1; CRC; FAD; FNF); Cancer, kidney (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, leg (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, liver (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, spleen (1; FNF; JLH); Cardiopathy (1; APA; FNF); Catarrh (f;
MAD); Chest (f; DEM); Childbirth (f; CEB; DEM); Chlorosis (f; MAD); Cholecystosis (f; CRC);
Cold (f; APA; CEB; FAD); Colic (f; CAN; CRC); Condyloma (1; FNF); Congestion (f; APA); Constipation (f; KAB); Cough (f; DEM; FAD; MAD); Cramp (1; APA; FNF); Cystosis (1; APA;
CAN; CEB; FAD; FEL); Dermatosis (f; CRC; FEL; SUW); Diabetes (1; APA; FNF; MAD; PHR);
Diarrhea (f; DEM); Dropsy (f; CEB; CRC; FEL; KAB; MAD); Dysentery (f; CRC); Dysmenorrhea (f; APA; MAD; PH2); Dyspepsia (1; APA; BGB; KAB; KOM; PH2); Dyspnea (f; CRC; DEM); Dysuria (f; CEB; MIC); Edema (1; FNF); Encephalosis (f; KAB); Enterosis (f; CEB; CRC; FAD; KAB); Enuresis (f; MAD); Epilepsy (f; CEB); Eructation (f; PHR); Fever (f; DEM; MAD); Fistula
(f; MAD); Flu (f; DEM; MIC); Fungus (1; KAP; MPI); Gallstone (f; MAD); Gas (1; APA; BGB; CAN; CEB; FAD; MAD); Gastrosis (f; CRC; MIC); Gleet (f; CRC; FEL; KAP); Gonorrhea (f; CRC; FEL; KAP); Gout (1; APA; FNF; PH2); Gravel (f; CRC; MAD); Halitosis (1; PH2); Headache (f; CEB); Heart (f; DEM); Heartburn (1; APA; DEM; PHR); Hemicrania (f; KAB); Hepatosis (1; CEB;
FNF; JLH; KAB); Herpes (1; CAN; MAD); High Blood Pressure (1; DEM; FNF; PHR); High
Cholesterol (1; FNF); HIV (1; FNF); Hydrocele (f; KAB); Hyperglycemia (1; FNF; JAC7:405); Hysteria (f; CRC); Immunodepression (1; FNF); Induration (f; CRC; JLH); Infection (1; APA; FNF); Inflammation (1; FNF; PH2); Jaundice (f; MAD); Kidney Stone (f; MAD); Leukemia (1; FNF);
Leukorrhea (f; CRC; DEP; FEL; KAP); Lumbago (f; CRC); Malaria (1; ABS; FNF; MAD); Mange
(1; MPI); Melanoma (1; FNF); Miscarriage (f; CEB); Mycosis (1; KAP; MPI); Myosis (f; CAN;
DEM); Nephrosis (f; BGB; CRC; FEL; MIC); Neuralgia (f; APA); Neurasthenia (f; APA); Neurosis (f; APA); Odontosis (f; CEB); Ophthalmia (f; DEM); Otosis (f; KAB); Pain (1; FNF; JBU; KAB;
PH2); Palsy (f; CEB); Polyp (f; CRC; JLH); Psoriasis (f; PED); Pulmonosis (f; CRC; MAD); Pyelosis
(f; CRC; FEL); Rheumatism (1; CAN; CRC; FAD; FNF; KAP; MAD; PH2); Rhinosis (f; CRC); Scabies (f; MAD); Scrofula (f; CRC); Snakebite (f; CRC); Sore (f; CEB; FAD; MIC); Sore Throat (f; CEB; DEM); Splenosis (f; CEB; JLH; KAB); Sprain (f; MIC); Stone (2; PHR); Snakebite (f; FAD); Stomachache (f; APA; DEM; FAD); Strangury (f; KAB); Swelling (f; CRC; KAP; MAD); Tenesmus (f; CRC); Tonsilosis (f; DEM); Toothache (f; CEB; KAB); Tuberculosis (f; CEB; CRC);
Tumor (1; CRC; FNF); Urogenitosis (f; CRC); Ulcer (f; CEB; DEM); Urethrosis (f; CEB); UTI (2; FAD; FNF; PHR; SKY); Uterosis (f; CEB; MAD); Vaginosis (f; KAB); VD (f; CRC); Virus (1; FNF; PH2); Wart (1; CRC; FNF); Water Retention (1; FNF; MAD); Worm (f; APA); Wound (f; DEM; MIC).
Juniper for cancer:
• AntiEBV: (-)-epicatechin; bilobetin; chlorogenic-acid; hinokiflavone
• AntiHIV: (+)-catechin; (-)-epicatechin; amentoflavone; apigenin; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; gallic-acid; hinokiflavone; quercetin
• Antiadenomic: farnesol
• Antiaggregant: (+)-catechin; (-)-epicatechin; 3-alpha-hydroxymanool; apigenin; caffeic-acid; ferruginol; ferulic-acid; menthol; quercetin
• Antiangiogenic: apigenin
• Anticancer: (+)-catechin; (-)-epicatechin; alpha-pinene; alpha-terpineol; apigenin; aro-madendrene; beta-myrcene; caffeic-acid; camphor; cedrene; chlorogenic-acid; cinnamic-acid; ferulic-acid; gallic-acid; isoquercitrin; limonene; linalool; p-coumaric-acid; quer-cetin; rutin; terpineol; umbelliferone; vanillic-acid
• Anticarcinomic: betulin; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; cis-aconitic-acid; desoxypodo-phyllotoxin; ferulic-acid; gallic-acid
• Antiestrogenic: apigenin; ferulic-acid; quercetin
• Antifibrosarcomic: quercetin
• Antihepatocarcinogenic: fumaric-acid
• Antihepatotoxic: caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; ferulic-acid; gallic-acid; glucuronic-acid; p-coumaric-acid; protocatechuic-acid; quercetin; rutin
• Antihyaluronidase: apigenin
• Antiinflammatory: (+)-catechin; (-)-epicatechin; alpha-amyrin; alpha-pinene; amentofla-vone; apigenin; beta-pinene; betulin; borneol; caffeic-acid; caryophyllene; caryophyllene-oxide; chlorogenic-acid; cinnamic-acid; cis-communic-acid; cuparene; delta-3-carene;
ferulic-acid; gallic-acid; lupeol; menthol; n-hentriacontane; protocatechuic-acid; quercetin; rutin; sciadopitysin; umbelliferone; vanillic-acid
• Antileukemic: (-)-epicatechin; amentoflavone; apigenin; deoxypodophyllotoxin; farne-sol; quercetin
• Antileukotriene: caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; quercetin
• Antilipoperoxidant: (-)-epicatechin; quercetin
• Antimelanomic: apigenin; farnesol; quercetin
• Antimetastatic: apigenin
• Antimutagenic: (+)-catechin; (+)-gallocatechin; (-)-epicatechin; apigenin; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; cinnamic-acid; ferulic-acid; gallic-acid; l-ascorbic-acid; limonene; myrcene; n-nonacosane; protocatechuic-acid; quercetin; rutin; umbelliferone
• Antineoplastic: ferulic-acid
• Antinitrosaminic: caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; ferulic-acid; gallic-acid; p-coumaric-acid; quercetin
• Antioxidant: (+)-catechin; (-)-epicatechin; amentoflavone; apigenin; caffeic-acid; cam-phene; chlorogenic-acid; ferulic-acid; fumaric-acid; gallic-acid; gamma-terpinene; iso-quercitrin; leucoanthocyanin; linalyl-acetate; lupeol; myrcene; p-coumaric-acid; protocatechuic-acid; quercetin; rutin; vanillic-acid
• Antiperoxidant: (+)-catechin; (-)-epicatechin; amentoflavone; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; gallic-acid; lupeol; p-coumaric-acid; protocatechuic-acid; quercetin
• Antiproliferant: apigenin; quercetin; terpineol
• Antiprostaglandin: (+)-catechin; caffeic-acid; umbelliferone
• Antiretroviral: isoquercetin
• Antitumor: alpha-amyrin; alpha-humulene; apigenin; betulin; caffeic-acid; caryophyl-lene; caryophyllene-oxide; chlorogenic-acid; deoxypodophyllotoxin; ferulic-acid; fumaric-acid; gallic-acid; isoquercitrin; limonene; lupeol; nepetin; p-coumaric-acid; quercetin; rutin; vanillic-acid
• Antiviral: (-)-epicatechin; alpha-pinene; amentoflavone; apigenin; betulin; bilobetin; bornyl-acetate; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; deoxypodophyllotoxin; desoxypodophyl-lotoxin; ferulic-acid; gallic-acid; hinokiflavone; isoquercetin; limonene; linalool; lupeol; neryl-acetate; p-cymene; protocatechuic-acid; quercetin; rutin
• Anxiolytic: apigenin
• Apoptotic: apigenin; farnesol; gallic-acid; quercetin
• Beta-Glucuronidase-Inhibitor: apigenin
• COX-2-Inhibitor: (+)-catechin; apigenin; quercetin
• Chemopreventive: limonene
• Cyclooxygenase-Inhibitor: (+)-catechin; apigenin; gallic-acid; quercetin
• Cytochrome-p450-Inducer: delta-cadinene
• Cytoprotective: caffeic-acid
• Cytotoxic: (+)-catechin; (-)-epicatechin; alpha-amyrin; apigenin; betulin; caffeic-acid; deoxypodophyllotoxin; hinokiflavone; lupeol; p-coumaric-acid; quercetin
• Hepatoprotective: (+)-catechin; borneol; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; desoxypodo-phyllotoxin; ferulic-acid; quercetin
• Hepatotonic: glycolic-acid
• Immunostimulant: (+)-catechin; (-)-epicatechin; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; ferulic-acid; gallic-acid; protocatechuic-acid
• Interferonogenic: chlorogenic-acid
• Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor: (-)-epicatechin; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; cinnamic-acid; p-coumaric-acid; quercetin; rutin; umbelliferone
• Mast-Cell-Stabilizer: quercetin
• Ornithine-Decarboxylase-Inhibitor: apigenin; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; ferulic-acid; limonene; quercetin
• p450-Inducer: delta-cadinene; quercetin
• PKC-Inhibitor: apigenin
• PTK-Inhibitor: apigenin; quercetin
• Prostaglandigenic: caffeic-acid; ferulic-acid; p-coumaric-acid; protocatechuic-acid
• Protein-Kinase-C-Inhibitor: apigenin; quercetin
• Reverse-Transcriptase-Inhibitor: (-)-epicatechin
• Sunscreen: apigenin; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; ferulic-acid; rutin; umbelliferone
• Topoisomerase-II-Inhibitor: apigenin; deoxypodophyllotoxin; isoquercitrin; querce-tin; rutin
• Tyrosine-Kinase-Inhibitor: quercetin Juniper for rheumatism:
• Analgesic: borneol; caffeic-acid; camphor; chlorogenic-acid; ferulic-acid; gallic-acid; menthol; myrcene; p-cymene; quercetin
• Anesthetic: benzoic-acid; camphor; cinnamic-acid; linalool; linalyl-acetate; menthol; myrcene
• Antidermatitic: apigenin; fumaric-acid; quercetin; rutin
• Antiedemic: alpha-amyrin; amentoflavone; beta-amyrin; caffeic-acid; caryophyllene; caryophyllene-oxide; lupeol; rutin; sciadopitysin
• Antiinflammatory: (+)-catechin; (-)-epicatechin; alpha-amyrin; alpha-pinene; amentofla-vone; apigenin; beta-pinene; betulin; borneol; caffeic-acid; caryophyllene; caryophyl-lene-oxide; chlorogenic-acid; cinnamic-acid; cis-communic-acid; cuparene; delta-3-carene; ferulic-acid; gallic-acid; lupeol; menthol; n-hentriacontane; protocatechuic-acid; quercetin; rutin; sciadopitysin; umbelliferone; vanillic-acid
• Antiprostaglandin: (+)-catechin; caffeic-acid; umbelliferone
• Antirheumatalgic: p-cymene
• Antirheumatic: lupeol; menthol
• Antispasmodic: apigenin; borneol; bornyl-acetate; caffeic-acid; camphor; caryophyllene; cinnamic-acid; farnesol; ferulic-acid; limonene; linalool; linalyl-acetate; menthol; myrcene; p-coumaric-acid; protocatechuic-acid; quercetin; rutin; umbelliferone
• COX-2-Inhibitor: (+)-catechin; apigenin; quercetin
• Counterirritant: camphor; formic-acid; menthol
• Cyclooxygenase-Inhibitor: (+)-catechin; apigenin; gallic-acid; quercetin
• Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor: (-)-epicatechin; caffeic-acid; chlorogenic-acid; cinnamic-acid; p-coumaric-acid; quercetin; rutin; umbelliferone
• Myorelaxant: apigenin; borneol; bornyl-acetate; gallic-acid; menthol; rutin
Other Uses (Juniper) —
The dried berries and the oil distilled from them are utilized commercially to flavor gin, liqueurs such as Ginepro, and cordials. The berries are also used in alcoholic bitters. Berries of J. communis contain 0.2-3.42% volatile oil, the principal flavoring agent in gin. Those who prefer the taste of gin (but the price of vodka) might upgrade cheap vodka by steeping a berry or two. In France, a kind of beer called “genevrette” is made from fermented juniper berries and barley (FAC). Extracts and oils are used in most food categories, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages (cola, root beer), baked goods, brines, candy, chewing gum, frozen dairy desserts, gelatins, ice cream, meat and meat products, pates, puddings, sauerkraut, and stuffings. Highest average maximum use level reported for the oils is 0.006% in alcoholic beverages and 0.01% for the extract in alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. The oil is a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes (maximum use level 0.80/c). Used as a spice in pickled
fish, kraut, and gravies. In Sweden, they are made into a conserve. They are often used in cooking to cut the odor of cabbage and turnips (FAC). One can use juniper berries to give bean, meat, and soup dishes a gin-like flav. One tsp berries = 1/2 cup gin, from a flavoring point of view (RIN). Aromatic berries are used as a pepper substitute. Roasted berries are used as a poor-man’s coffee. Tea made from the berries has a spicy, gin-like flavor. Westphalian ham is smoked with both juniper twigs and berries. Swedes make a “wholesome” beer from cedar. In hot climates, the incised tree yields a gum or varnish. Deer and moose graze the plant. Sheep readily eat the fruit. (DAD).
For more information on activities, dosages, and contraindications, see the CRC Handtopic of Medicinal Herbs, ed. 2, et al., 2002.
Cultivation (Juniper) —
Hardy to zone 5 (Bown, 2001 says zones 2-8), this juniper fares best in full sun, in moist, well-drained, but not constantly waterlogged soil. Junipers can withstand moderate drought. Seeds, not always coming true, need to be stratified (alternating moist freezing and thawing). Home gardeners may just clean their seed and sow them, with fingers crossed, in the garden to await the spring and its eternal hope. If you want a shrub or tree like the parent, you are better off with cuttings. Cuttings, especially of named cultivars, are taken in late fall and overwintered in a cold frame or cool greenhouse. Many cultivars of juniper are male, and some of the female cultivars refuse to bear cones (dry berries), making it rough on us cheapscates who want to convert a cheap vodka into a respectable gin.
Chemistry (Juniper) —
Here are a few of the more notable chemicals found in juniper. For a complete listing of the phytochemicals and their activities, see the CRC phytochemical compendium, and , 1993 (DAD) and the USDA database .
Alpha-Pinene — See also Amomum compactum.
Camphor — See also Amomum compactum.
Cedrol — Irritant; Termiticide; LD50 = >5000 mg/kg orl rat.
Junene—Diuretic.
Menthol — ADI = 200 |Jg/kg; Analgesic; Anesthetic 2000 ppm; Antiacetylcholinesterase IC50 = 2.0 mM; Antiaggregant IC50 = 750; Antiallergic; Antiasthmatic; Antibacterial; Antibronchitic; Antidandruff; Antihalitosic; Antihistaminic; Antiinflammatory; Antiitch; Antineuralgic; Antiodon-talgic; Antipyretic; Antirheumatic; Antiseptic 4 x phenol; Antisinusitic; Antispasmodic ED50 = 0.01 mg/ml; Antivaginitic; Antivulvitic; Bradycardic 65 mg/3 x day/woman; Bronchomucolytic; Bronchomucotropic; Bronchorrheic; Calcium-Antagonist; Carminative; Choleretic; Ciliotoxic; CNS-Depressant; CNS-Stimulant; Congestant; Convulsant; Counterirritant; Decongestant 11 mg/man; Dermatitigenic; Diaphoretic; Enterorelaxant; Expectorant; Gastrosedative; Irritant; Myo-relaxant; Nematicide MLC = 1 mg/ml; Neurodepressant; Neuropathogenic 40-100 mg/day/rat; Nociceptive; Rubefacient; Vibriocide; LDlo = 2000->9000 mg/man; LD50 = 700-3180 orl rat;LD50 3300 mg/kg orl rat.
Myrcene — See also Alpinia galanga