|
nature direct 2u
Most common oils
Chamomile Others Seeds
Glossary |
Juniper |
|
Juniperus communis
Juniper is an evergreen coniferous shrub or small tree occurring throughout the northern hemisphere from Europe to Siberia and grows up to 10m in height; it can be either prostrate or erect. As its botanical name suggests, Juniperus communis often occurs in groups. The medicinal portions of the plant are referred to as berries, but they are actually dark blue-black scales from the cones of the tree. Unlike other pine cones, the juniper cones are fleshy and soft. Juniper has a history of medicinal use dating as far back as 1550 B.C. A remedy to treat tapeworm was found in "The Papyrus of Ani" from ancient Egypt, 240 B.C. It is also known that the branches and berries were burned in temples as a part of purification ceremonies. In the Ayurvedic system juniper is believed to not only purify the body but also the aura or subtle body. It also helps to destroy negative astral influences. It was burnt by 15th century herbalists to guard against the plague, in French hospitals to clear the air, and by native Americans for purification and healing. In more modern times the berries are used to flavour gin by extracting their essential oil and in cooking as well as in herbal medicine. Juniper is an important spice in many European cuisines, especially in Alpine regions, where juniper grows abundantly. It is the only example of a spice in the botanic group of the coniferae, and also one of the few examples of spices from cold climatic regions, though the best quality stems from southern European countries. Juniper is much used in the traditional, German speciality Sauerkraut. For it's preparation, fresh cabbage is preserved by lactic fermentation and seasoned with juniper, caraway and a few bay leaves. The taste then develops during ageing in large wooden barrels. Sauerkraut can either be eaten raw (as a kind of salad), or be cooked or fried (often together with small cubes of ham) to be served as a side dish; there are also dumplings stuffed with it.
Juniper berries owe their use to an essential oil, content 0.2 to 2% dependent on provenance e.g. Hungarian berries contain 1.2% and German berries only 0.7%. The essential oil is mainly composed of monoterpenes: 80% alpha- and beta-pinene, thujene, sabinene, 5% terpinene-4-ol, alpha-terpineol, borneol and geraniol; sesqiterpenes (alpha- and beta-cadinen, caryophyllene) are found in traces. Commercial juniper
oil is produced by two methods: the best oil is steam distilled from the
crushed, dried or partially dried, ripe berries. Occasionally water
distillation is used. The greater part of all commercial juniper oil,
however, is derived from the fermented fruits as a byproduct of central
European juniper brandy manufacture. It should be noted that juniper
berries contain certain amounts of fixed oil, occasionally called
juniper oil. Juniper oil is a water white or very pale yellow, mobile
oil, having a fresh, yet warm, rich balsamic, woody sweet and pine-needle
like odour. In fact, the oil of Pinus pumilio resembles juniper
oil very much in odour characteristics. The oil derived from the
fermented fruits usually has a more turpentine like, pinene like odour
and little or no balsamic sweetness. It's tenacity is inferior to that
of the true oil. Cade oil (huile de cade), or juniper tar oil is made by the dry distillation of the
heartwood. It is a middle note and blends well with basil, cedar, all citrus oils, cypress, fennel, lavender, pine, rosemary, clary sage, elemi, fir, lavendin and oakmoss.
Juniper acts on the urinary, respiratory, nervous and digestive systems. As an antiseptic, it is primarily used in the treatment of urinary tract infections such as cystitis and urethritis. The antiseptic volatile oil is excreted in the urine, disinfecting the urinary tract as it passes through. Juniper is very potent as a diuretic and may cause the urine to smell like violets. It helps clear acid wastes from the body, promoting the excretion of uric acid at the kidney. Long-term use, however, maybe too irritating to the kidneys. It should only be taken up to six weeks internally and should be avoided if kidney disease is present. Juniper tea or tincture is warming to the digestive tract and can help stimulate weak digestion. Both the tea and tincture can be used for upset stomachs and to relieve flatulence. It may also be used for relief of menstrual cramps. It is used for the relief of chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. As well as being beneficial for the skin, juniper is excellent where detoxification and cleansing is required. Juniper oil may be used in ointments or in carrier oil as an insect repellent or it can be mixed with other insect-repelling essential oils like citronella and pennyroyal.
Care: Juniper is used during labour to improve contractions as it is a uterine stimulant and should be avoided during pregnancy for the same reason. Juniper should not be used when breastfeeding. Do not give to children under 12 years or the elderly, and because of its stimulating effect, should not be used by those with kidney disease. The undiluted oil can be irritating and is likely to cause inflammation and blisters. DISCLAIMER: This page is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for accurate diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health care professional. The author is neither a chemist nor an herbalist and has had no medical training whatsoever. The content herein is the product of research, not practical experience. |
The
ripe, dark blue berries are used for herbal remedies. As it takes 2 to 3
years for the berries to reach full ripeness, both green, unripe berries
and dark, blue berries can be found growing together on the same plant.
The berries are normally harvested in the autumn of their second year
when they are blueish-black in colour. They should be dried carefully to
preserve the volatile oil. The fresh berries can be made into a syrup.
Juniper berries have a bittersweet taste and a hot, drying energy and, because
of this characteristic, they should be used sparingly with appropriate
balancing herbs.
