Studies on Several Medicinal Benefits of Plant Juniperus communis

Abstract

Juniperus communis Lin is a fragrant evergreen plant of family Pinaceae; Cupressaceae. The aromatic shrub has great potential in treatment of human and animal diseases. The plant is great source of invert sugars, wax, gums, resins, flavonoids leucoanthocyanins, organic acids, aromatic oils, terpenic acids, alkaloids, tannins, lignins, catechin, etc. Berries of juniper or plant extract used as emmenogogue, sudorific, carminative, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, digestive, and anti-inflammatory. The experiments have demonstrated that the plant’s extract as well as essential oils from plant have antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Recent studies uncovered the hypolipidemic and cytotoxic activities from Juniperus berries in experimental study. Recent study also shown the insect repellant and insecticidal activity. Thus, the plant or shrub is treasure of medicinal properties, of which some are discovered and some are undiscovered. There is need to study the plant for new activities that can aid in treating many chronic diseases.