Juniper

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 06.03.2025

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Synonym(s)

common junipers; Kranewitt; Machandel; Northern Ireland

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

A widespread evergreen conifer in the northern hemisphere with a shrub or tree-like growth habit. The juniper genus belongs to the cypress family and comprises around 60 species worldwide. In North America, there are juniper species (called cedars there) that reach a height of up to 40 meters. The juniper's prickly, gray-green needles are 1 to 2 cm long. The resin-free wood is tough, soft, elastic and durable.
The heath juniper, Juniperus communis, develops berry-shaped, 0.3 to 2 cm large cones, also known as berries. These "berries" take 1-2 years to ripen and then take on a deep blue color.

The ripe berry cones (juniper berries - Juniperi pseudofructus) and the essential oil they contain (juniper oil - Juniperi aetheroleum) are used phytotherapeutically.
Caution: Danger of confusion with the highly poisonous Sade tree, stinking juniper! The juniper stings, the sade tree does not!


The juniper wood used in the past is now obsolete. see also Pix juniperi

General informationThis section has been translated automatically.

Juniperus communis is the parent plant of Juniperi fructus (pseudofructus) the official extract of juniper berries (Commission E monograph).
Alcoholic beverages. Juniper berries are an important raw material in the production of juniper brandy or gin or jenever.
Spice: Dried juniper berries are used in the preparation of sauerkraut, also in meat preparations.

Cosmetics: Extracts of Juniperus cmmunis are used in cosmetic formulations:

  • Juniperus communis oil - the extract from the berries of the plant
  • Juniperus communis extract - the extract from the needles and wood of the plant

Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

Cave: confusion with the highly poisonous sade tree!

The juniper stings, the sweetgum does not!

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/wacholder.php
  2. Wenigmann M.(2017) Phytotherapie Arzneidrogen Phytopharmaka Anwendung. Urban & Fischer: 5.115 Tormentilla rootstock (Tormentillae rhizoma) p 208-209
  3. https://www.krautundrueben.de/wacholder-oder-sadebaum
  4. https://baumfreunde.org/FinBa/juniperus-sabina
  5. https://www.awl.ch/heilpflanzen/juniperus_communis/wacholder.htm
  6. https://heilkraeuter.de/lexikon/wacholde.htm

Authors

Last updated on: 06.03.2025

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter AltmeyerProf. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles