Juniper Berries

Juniper berry has a long history of use that can be traced back to the American Indians. The essential oil is used for urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder stones, gastrointestinal infections, as a diuretic, and a fungicide. The oil contains a variety of compounds including alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. There are many scientific studies that support its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Animal experiments have shown that Juniper Berries cause an increase in urine excretion, as well as have a direct effect on smooth muscle contraction. As well, administration to rats found that it was 60% effective in preventing paw edema (Blumenthal, 2000). A study completed at the University of Zagreb in Croatia, evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Juniper essential oil against sixteen bacterial species, seven yeast-like fungi, three yeast, and four dermatophyte strains. They found strong fungicidal activity against Candida spp., a type of yeast that can cause illnesses such thrush and candidiasis. Juniper was also effective at fighting dermatophytes, which are various fungi that can cause parasitic skin infections (Pepeljnjak et al, 2005).

References

Blumenthal, M.,et al., editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E. Monographs. Boston (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

Pepeljnjak et al (2005). Antimicrobial activity of juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae). Acta Pharmaceutica; 55(4). Abstract available online from

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=
Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16375831&query_hl=7&itool=pubmed_docsum

[Cited Feb. 26, 2007].