EU_Declaration91622.pdf
Botanical Name: Juniperus communis L cupressaceae Common name: Read More
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Botanical Name: |
Juniperus communis L cupressaceae |
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Common name: |
Common juniper |
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Plant family: |
Cupressaceae |
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Genus: |
Juniperus |
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Appearance/Color: |
Colorless to pale yellow liquid with thin consistency |
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Odor: |
Medium fresh rich balsamic scent similar to pine needles |
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Blends With: |
Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Marjoram, Rosemary, Bergamot, Geranium, Clary and Sandalwood |
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Origin: |
Bulgaria |
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Source: |
Berries |
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Method of Extraction: |
Steam Distillation |
Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a coniferous evergreen shrub that belongs to the pine family (Cupressaceae) and is commonly found on heaths and mountains in North America, Europe and Southwest Asia. In the United States, junipers grow abundantly in the mountainous regions of the Appalachians, as well as in western states such as Arizona, California, New Mexico and Utah.
The juniper tree can be identified by its stiff and needle-like blue-green leaves, short reddish-brown trunks, small yellow flowers and blue or black fruits or berries (produced by the female trees). The tree can grow anywhere between six to 25 feet high.
The leaves, which grow in whorls of three on the woody twigs, emit a lemon- or apple-like fragrance when crushed.
Juniper berries, including Juniperus phoenicea and Juniperus oxycedrus have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs at multiple sites. J. oxycedrus is not known to grow in Egypt, and neither is Juniperus excelsa, which was found along with J. oxycedrus in the tomb of Tutankhamun. The berries imported into Egypt may have come from Greece; the Greeks record using juniper berries as a medicine long before mentioning their use in food.
The berries imported into Egypt may have come from Greece; the Greeks record using juniper berries as a medicine long before mentioning their use in food Harvesting/Extraction Information The berries are green when young, and mature to a purple-black color over about 18 months.
The berries are plucked from the branches of the plant once a year, and dried and ground before distillation. They have traditionally been used as an aromatic aid to meditation, and had remedial applications.
Juniper berry is a powerful source of medicinal benefits itself. This makes the juniper essential oil most used in curing respiratory disorders and for sore throat also. Juniper is used for digestion problems including upset stomach, intestinal gas (flatulence), heartburn, bloating, and loss of appetite, as well as gastrointestinal (GI) infections and intestinal worms. It is also used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney and bladder stones. Other uses include treating snakebite, diabetes, and cancer.
Juniper Berry Oil in Pharma
Juniper berries are traditionally used as a powerful detoxifier and immune system booster. Juniper berries themselves are high in flavonoid and polyphenol antioxidants that have strong free radical scavenging abilities. It is high in flavonoids and antioxidants so it fights against free radical damage.
Essence of Juniper Berry Oil
It has a best aroma and medicinal properties that can heal pains in muscles and arthritis. Juniper extract and juniper oil are used in cosmetics including lipstick, foundation, hair conditioners, bath oils, bubble bath, eye shadow, and many other products.
COMMON USAGE
· Treats Arthritis
· Prevents sepsis
· astringent
· Reduces cramps
· Stimulates urination
· Disinfects blood
· Carminative agent
· Rubefacient
· Open pores and promotes sweating
· Helps in treating stomach ailments
· Works as a tonic
· stimulant
· Heals wounds by Fastening healing process
Ingredients:
|
S.No |
Key Constituents |
Strength (%) |
|
1 |
a-Pinene |
24.1-55.4 |
|
2 |
b-Myrcene |
10.4-22.0 |
|
3 |
Sabinene |
9.8-28.8 |
|
4 |
p-Cymene |
2.0 |
|
5 |
(þ)-Limonene |
3.1-10.9 |
|
6 |
b-Pinene |
2.1-6.0 |
|
7 |
g-Terpinene |
1.2-5.8 |
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8 |
Terpinen-4-ol |
1.5-17.0 |
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9 |
Terpinolene |
1.0-1.9 |
|
10 |
b-Caryophyllene |
1.3.2.2 |
|
11 |
a-Thujene |
1.0-1.8 |
|
12 |
a-Terpineol |
1.0-1.6 |
|
13 |
d-3-Carene |
0.1-3.0 |
|
14 |
a-Terpinene |
0.2-2.6 |
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Safety summary
· Hazards: Skin sensitization if oxidized.
· Cautions: Old or oxidized oils should be avoided.
Safety advice:
Because of its high a-pinene content we recommend that oxidation of juniper berry oil is avoided by storage in a dark, airtight container in a refrigerator. The addition of an antioxidant to preparations containing it is recommended.
Regulatory guidelines
· Has GRAS status.
· A warning about kidney irritation appears in the Expanded Commission E Monographs: ‘excessive use of juniperberry oil] may cause kidney irritation and damage because terpinen-4-ol has demonstrated irritant activities’
Organ-specific effects
· Adverse skin reactions: When tested at 8% on 25 volunteers it was neither irritating nor sensitizing. It is nonphototoxic. In a study of 200 consecutive dermatitis patients, one was sensitive to 2% juniperberry oil on patch testing. Since autoxidation products of a-pinene can cause skin sensitization, oxidation of a-pinene and other monoterpenes in the oil may be responsible for the skin reactions reported above.
· Nephrotoxicity: Two different batches of juniperberry oil were tested for 28 days in male rats with 100, 333 or 1,000 mg/kg, and 100, 300 or 900 mg/kg orally. Additionally, terpinen-4-ol was tested at 400 mg/kg. In spite of the high doses used, none of the tested substances induced changes in kidney function or morphology. Juniperberry oil has demonstrated renoprotective activity, completely reversing the decrease in inulin clearance caused by tacrolimus in rats.
· Reproductive toxicity: Most of the above referenced sources refer to ‘juniper’ generically, without specifying a preparation. None of these refer to the probable scientific basis for the abortifacient activity of juniper. Ethanolic and acetone extracts of juniper berries have a significant antifertility effect in rats. An ethanolic extract of juniper berries demonstrated both an early and a late abortifacient activity in rats. An ethanolic extract would contain some essential oil, but there is no evidence that the essential oil is responsible for these effects. Since the oil constitutes only 1.5% of the raw material, and since all the major constituents of the essential oil are apparently non-toxic.
Systemic effects
· Acute toxicity: Juniper berry oil acute oral LD50 in rats reported as 8.0 g/kg and as >5 g/kg; acute dermal LD50 in rabbits >5 g/kg.
· Antioxidant/pro-oxidant activity: Juniper berry oil showed moderate antioxidant activity as a DPPH radical scavenger and in the aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay.
· Carcinogenic/anticarcinogenic potential: No information found. (þ)-Limonene displays anticarcinogenic activity.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
· Aquatic Toxicity: toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
· Bioaccumulation: No data available
· Mobility in soil: No data available
· Persistence and degradability: No data available
· PBT and vPvB assessment: No data available
· Other adverse effects: Do not allow it to enter into water systems and marine environment.
