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 Juniperus communis (Coniferae)
JUNIPER, GINEPRO, GENEVRIER
Most familiar as a flavouring in gin,
juniper has been used medicinally since the time of ancient Greek and Arab physicians.
An oddity of the plant is that the small berries it produces take two years to ripen.
Native to southern Europe, which remains the source of most commercial juniper berries,
it is an evergreen tree with flat needle-like leaves, tiny flowers in late summer, and small green berries that ripen to black.
PARTS USED
Berries.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Volatile oil containing myrcene,
sabinene, pinene, limonene, and cineole; condensed tannins; bitter principle; flavonoids.
ACTIONS
Urinary antiseptic; increases urine production; relieves wind and colic; stimulates the muscles of the womb.
MEDICINAL USE
Used to treat colic, rheumatism, and urinary tract infections, particularly cystitis.
PREPARATIONS
Dried berries, tincture.
CAUTION
Avoid in pregnancy or if kidney disease is suspected.
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