Juniper Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Genévrier Commun, Genievre, Genièvre, Ginepro, Huile de Baies de Genévrier, Huile de Genévrier, Juniper Berry, Juniper Berry Oil, Juniper Extract, Juniper Oil, Juniperi Fructus, Oil of Juniper, Wacholderbeeren, Zimbro CAUTION: Please refer to separate listing for Cade
Scientific Name
Juniper Communis
Why Do People Use Juniper?
Oral preparations of Juniperus communis (Juniper), like juniper powder are used for dyspepsia, heartburn, flatulence, loss of appetite, bloating, kidney and bladder stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), intestinal worms, snakebite, diabetes, gastrointestinal infections and cancer.
Topically - Juniper is used topically for rheumatic pains in muscles and joints, wounds and inflammatory diseases.
As An Inhalant - The vapors of essential oil of juniper are inhaled for bronchitis and as analgesic for pain.
In Foods - The berry part of juniper is generally used as a flavoring agent in gin and bitter preparations, as a culinary condiment; whereas its oil and extract are used as a flavoring agent in number of beverages and food items.
In Manufacturing Practices - Juniper oil is used as a fragrance agent in number of cosmetics and soaps products.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely Safe - According reliable researches orally used juniper thought to be safe in amounts commonly found in foods. Juniper, juniper extract and juniper berry have acquired Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the United States. Studies also suggest that oral and appropriate time (short term) period usage of juniper in medicinal amounts has positive effects. There are some reports which suggest that topical usage of juniper on limited areas of skin seems to be safe. Also, oil of juniper used by inhalation and appropriately as aromatherapy is thought to be safe in most cases.
Likely Unsafe - When juniper is taken in excessive amounts, orally and for long-term period, several adverse effects have been reported. Extended consumption in high doses can enhance potential side effects such as kidney damage and convulsions. Juniper should also be avoided in individuals with acute skin conditions and large skin wounds.
Possibly Unsafe In Pregnancy - Pregnant women should avoid using juniper because it can interfere with fertility and implantation, increase uterine tone and can also lead to abortion.
Avoid In Lactation - Breast feeding mothers should also avoid using juniper because there is no information to rate its safety in this condition.
How Effective Is Juniper?
Not known.
How Juniper Works?
The most effective part of Juniperus communis is the berry. The berry consists of essential oil in a range of 0.5% to 1.55%. The oil contains around 10% cadinene, 20% alpha-pinene, 8.5% myrcene, 9% limonene, 7% germacrene, 7.2% caryophyllene, 8% borneol and a few different constituents in littler concentrations.
Juniper berry has sterile, aquaretic, antirheumatic and antiflatulent impacts. It also invigorates stomach function. Aquaretics enhance the urine volume (which result in water loss) yet not electrolyte discharge. The constituent terpinen-4-ol increases the glomerular filtration rate, but it can also disturb the kidneys.
The juniper berry oil stimulates uterine activity and has GI irritant and antiseptic impacts. The oil appears to have antispasmodic impacts in smooth muscle. In test animals, extract of juniper berry show antifertility, abortifacient, anti-implantation, anti-inflammatory, hypertensive and hypotensive effects.
In vitro analysis, juniper berry oil displays antiviral effects against herpes simplex infection and has antifungal and antibacterial activity.
In animal models, extract of juniper berry appears to have a hypoglycemic impact and may also diminish polydipsia. It appears to work by enhancing peripheral glucose uptake.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Juniper?
Orally - Excessive dosage of the juniper berry oil can result in kidney irritation. Other side effects include pain, kidney pain, albuminuria, diuresis, purplish urine, hematuria, hypertension, tachycardia, metrorrhagia, convulsions and abortion as well.
Topically - Topical side effects include skin irritation, skin burning, inflammation with blisters, erythema and edema. Frequent exposure to the juniper pollen can lead to occupational allergies that affect the respiratory tract and skin.
How Juniper Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Not known.
How Juniper Interacts With Drugs?
Antidiabetes Drugs - Interaction rating between juniper powder and anti-diabetic drugs is moderate, so be careful about this mixture. Juniper berry may potentiate diabetes therapy because of hypoglycemic activity.
Diuretic Drugs - Interaction rating between juniper powder and drugs with diuretic effects is minor, still be cautious about using this combination. Juniper berry may interfere with diuretic therapy.
How Juniper Interacts With Foods?
Not known.
How Juniper Interacts With Lab Tests?
Urine Tests - The juniper berry can interact with urine assays and excessive dosage can result in purplish urine.
How Juniper Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Diabetes - In animal models, juniper berry has shown hypoglycemic effects. Juniper may increase hypoglycemia in diabetes suffering patients.
GI Conditions - Juniper berry may irritate gastrointestinal tract.
Hypotension, Hypertension - Juniper berry may have effects on blood pressure. They may also effect the blood pressure control.
Surgery - Juniper may affect blood glucose levels. Juniper powder may affect the human blood glucose control after and during surgical procedures. So such patients are usually adviced to stop using juniper minimum two weeks before suggested surgical procedures.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Juniper?
ORAL 1 to 2 grams of the berries should be consumed thrice every day or one cup of the tea 3-4 times every day. Such tea is made by steeping one teaspoon of the crushed juniper berry powder, which is about 2 to 3 grams, in 150 mL boiling water for ten minutes and then straining. Juniper should be taken up to ten grams daily. This amount should not be utilize longer than four weeks without doctor’s advice. The common dose of the liquid extract (with ratio 1:1 in 25% concentrated alcohol) is 2 to 4 mL trice on daily basis. The common dose of the tincture (with ratio 1:5 in 45% concentrated alcohol) is up to 2 mL, taken thrice every day. The berry oil (as ratio 1:5 in 45% concentrated alcohol) is normally consumed in a dose of 0.03 to 0.2 mL thrice every day.
CAUTION The oil obtained from juniper berry should only be used after proper advisory.
TOPICAL The juniper berry is commonly used in bath salts for treating rheumatism.
Comments
Don’t mix cade oil and juniper which is refined from juniper wood (Juniperus oxycedrus). This turpentine oil has been utilized to adulterate juniper berry oil.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
