Title: Juniper
Literature References: Dioecious, evergreen shrub,
Juniperus communis L.,
Cupressaceae, bearing tangy, bitter, blue berries. Medicinal portions inlude the ripe berries, berry cones and essential oil.
Habit. Europe, northern Africa, northern Asia, North America.
Constit. Volatile oil (1-2%), diterpenes, catechin tannins, flavonoids, inverted sugar (20-30%), oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Analysis by GLC of the oil of six western North American species: F. C. Vasec, R. W. Scora,
Am. J. Bot. 54, 781 (1967). Botanical description and medicinal uses: J. Gruenwald
et al., PDR for Herbal Medicines (Medical Economics, Montvale, 2nd Ed., 2000) pp 440-441. Review of pharmacology: J. Barnes
et al., Herbal Medicines (Pharmaceutical Press, London, 2nd Ed., 2002) pp 317-319.
Derivative Type: Volatile oil
CAS Registry Number: 8002-68-4
Synonyms: Juniperberry oil; oil of juniper
Literature References: Obtained by steam distillation of the dried ripe fruit (berries).
Constit. Primarily monoterpenes incl. a-pinene, b-myrcene, sabinine, camphene, terpineol.
Properties: Colorless, faintly green or yellow liquid with characteristic odor and aromatic, bitter taste. Odor and taste as of the berries. d2525 0.854-0.879. [a]D25 0 to -15°.
nD20 1.474-1.484. Sol in most fixed oils, mineral oil. Insol in glycerin, propylene glycol.
Keep cool in well-closed and well-filled bottles, protected from light.
Optical Rotation: [a]D25 0 to -15°
Index of refraction: nD20 1.474-1.484
Density: d2525 0.854-0.879
Use: Volatile oil as flavor component of gin; in perfumery.
Therap-Cat: Diuretic; carminative.
