440 /JUJUBE (DA-ZAO) PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESFurther information in:
Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11:
Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston. Berlin 1962-1997.
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. AufL, Bde 1-8: Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
York 1995.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.TRADE NAMES
Juniper (available from numerous manufacturers and as
combination product), Juniper Berry, Euro Quality Juniper
BerriesDESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the essential oil
from the berry cones; the ripe, dried berry cones; the ripe
fresh berry cones; the fresh or dried pseudo fruit or berry;
and the ripe berry.Flower and Fruit: The plant is usually dioecious, occasional-
ly monoecious and occasionally bears androgynous flowers.
The yellowish male flowers are in elliptical catkins consist-
ing of numerous stamens in 3-segmented whorls in the leaf
axils of young shoots. The greenish female flowers are
almost ovoid and consist of 3 carpels. The carpels become
fleshy and in the second year when ripe form pea-sized,
globular, and dark-brown to violet, blue-frosted juniper
berries. The berries ripen for 2 or 3 years so that blue (ripe)
and green (unripe) berries are found on the same tree. The
seeds are light brown, oblong-triangular. They are somewhat
warty between the edges and have a hard shell.Leaves, Stem and Root: Juniperus communis is a tree or
shrub found in varying forms from 2 to 10 m in height. The
bark is smooth and yellow-brown at first, later fissured, gray-
black and peeling. The buds are covered in scale-like
needles, which can be distinguished from the foliage needles
by their length. The leaves are needles in whorls of 3
spreading from the branchlets. They are evergreen, stiff,
pointed, prickly and sea green. The outer and inner
membranes have thickened cell walls.Characteristics: The berries have a tangy smell. The taste is
tangy-sweet, then resinous and bitter.
Habitat: Europe, northern Africa, north Asia and North
America.Production: Juniper Berry is the ripe, fresh or dried spherical
ovulate cone (berry) of Juniper communis as well as its
preparations. The ripe berries are harvested from the end of
August to the middle of September and then dried at room
temperature and sorted.Other Names: Juniper Berry, Ginepro, EnebroACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (1-2%); make-up is very dependent upon the
source of the drug, chief components monoterpene hydrocar-
bons, for example alpha-pinene, beta-myrcene, gamma-mu-
urolen, sabinene, additionally including among others
limonene, beta-elemene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene,
gamma-cadinene, terpinene-4-olDiterpenesCatechin tanninsFlavonoidsMonosaccharides: inverted sugar (20 to 30%)Oligomeric proanthocyanidinsEFFECTS
The diuretic effect is attributed to the essential oil content.
The drug works to lower blood pressure and as an
antidiabetic. In animal experiments a hypotensive, antidia-
betic and antiexudative effect was proven. In vitro, an
antiviral effect was also demonstrated.In older studies a spasmogenic, expectorant and broncho-
spasmolytic effect has been described, for which there are no
new data.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:- Loss of appetite
- Dyspeptic complaints
Unproven Uses: Juniper is used externally for rheumatic
symptoms (as a bath additive). In folk medicine it is used
internally to regulate menstruation and to relieve menstrual
pain, flushing out therapy for inflammatory diseases of the
lower urinary tract, gout, arteriosclerosis, for severe irritation
resulting from bronchitis and diabetes (ground juniper
berries). It is often chewed for halitosis.Homeopathic Uses: Juniperus communis is used for dis-
charge disturbances of the efferent urinary tract and dyspep-
tic complaints.Juniper
Juniperus communis