The efficacy and function of juniper fruit

There are many kinds of common Chinese medicinal materials in life. Many people don’t know how to choose when using them, such as Juniper Fruit. So before choosing, you need to have a certain understanding of its efficacy and dosage. So do you know what the efficacy and effects of Juniper Fruit are?

[Other name] Juniper berry (Ningxia Handbook of Chinese Herbal Medicine)

[Source] It is the fruit of Juniper, a plant of the Cupressaceae family. When the fruits are ripe in October, pick them and dry them in the shade.

[Original form] Juniper, also known as: collapsing pine, stick pine, and juniper.

[Habitat distribution] It grows on sunny hillsides and dry and barren gravel soil. Distributed in Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Inner Mongolia and Northeast China.

[Properties] The dried and mature fruit is spherical or oval, 7 to 8 mm in diameter, purple-brown, shiny, and slightly powdery on the surface. It contains 2 to 3 seeds, or 1 or 4 seeds. Seeds oval, brown. It has a special aromatic smell and a sweet taste.

[Chemical composition] The cones contain volatile oil, including 36.3% α-pinene, 12.9% myrcene, 0.8% Δ3-carene, 1.6% limonene, 0.9% p-cymene, 2.0% β-elemene, 0.4% caryophyllene, 0.4% humulene, 0.2% γ-cuberene, 0.02% terpineol, 0.20% borneol and citronellol, 0.05% aisole, etc.

[Pharmacological action] The petroleum ether extract of juniper seeds has an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus in test tubes, and can still prevent bacterial development when diluted to 1:1600. The petroleum ether extract was treated with 3% sodium bicarbonate, 3% sodium carbonate, and 3% potassium hydroxide in sequence. It was found that the part obtained from the potassium hydroxide solution had an antibacterial effect, and it also had an effect when diluted to 1:12800, but it had no effect on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae. The distillate obtained by vacuum distillation of this substance also has antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus when diluted to 1:12800. Chemical determination showed that this antibacterial substance was an isomer of rosin acid.

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind, remove dampness and act as a diuretic.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 0.3 to 1 qian. For external use: mash and apply.

[Additional prescription] To treat rheumatic joint pain: Take appropriate amount of juniper berries, mash them and apply externally. (Ningxia Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

The above is a detailed description of the effects and eating methods of juniper berries. Medicines like juniper berries are very effective in treating diseases. However, it should be noted that when using juniper berries, it is necessary to use them in moderation and not too much, otherwise it will not be of any benefit to the body.