HerbalGram 82 • May – July 2009 82 • May HerbalGram Supplements for Pets • Chinese Herbal Folk Tales • Ginseng and Alzheimer’s • 2008 Herbal Market Report Supplements The Journal of the American Botanical Council Number 82 | May – July 2009 for Pets • Chinese Herbal Folk Tales • Rhodiola for Fatigue • Ginseng and Alzheimer’s • 2008 Herbal Market Report • Ginseng and Alzheimer’s Fatigue • Rhodiola for Tales • Chinese Herbal Folk Pets for Supplements • St. John’s Wort and Depression Wort • St. John’s for Pets Chinese Herbal US/CAN $6.95 Folk Tales www.herbalgram.org Herb Sales Rise in 2008 www.herbalgram.org www.herbalgram.org 2009 HerbalGram 82 | 1 STILL HERBAL AFTER ALL THESE YEARS Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting America’s Health The year 2009 marks Herb Pharm’s 30th anniversary as a leading producer and distributor of therapeutic herbal extracts. During this time we have continually emphasized the importance of using the best quality certified organically cultivated and sustainably-wildcrafted herbs to produce our herbal healthcare products. This is why we created the “Pharm Farm” – our certified organic herb farm, and the “Plant Plant” – our modern, FDA-audited production facility. It is here that we integrate the centuries-old, time-proven knowledge and wisdom of traditional herbal medicine with the herbal sciences and technology of the 21st Century. Equally important, Herb Pharm has taken a leadership role in social and environmental responsibility through projects like our use of the Blue Sky renewable energy program, our farm’s streams and Supporting America’s Health creeks conservation program, and the Botanical Sanctuary program Since 1979 whereby we research and develop practical methods for the conser- vation and organic cultivation of endangered wild medicinal herbs. Thirty years and millions of bottles later, Herb Pharm remains America’s best-selling brand of liquid herbal extracts.We thank all our loyal customers for making our many years of work such a success. 2 | HerbalGramYou’ l82l find Herb Pharm at fine natural produc2009ts stores or online at www.herb-pharwww.herbalgram.orgm.com Herb Profile Juniper Berry Juniperus communis Family: Cupressaceae INTRODUCTION made with the berries and unspecified other herbs has been used for 5 Juniperus is the world’s most widespread genus in the Cypress urinary tract disorders by the Potawatomi. family (Cupressaceae).1 Juniperus communis, known as common juni- In Western traditional medicine, juniper berry preparations have per or, simply, juniper, is the main species found in the cooler regions been used to relieve flatulence and indigestion and to stimulate the 6 of Europe, although it is also native to temperate Asia and North appetite. Due to their reputation as having a stimulating effect on America.2,3 Juniper varies in shape and size and can be a dense ever- appetite, juniper berries have been used traditionally as a flavoring in 6 6 green shrub, prostrate or creeping, or a small tree that grows to 20 sauerkraut. The berries have been eaten to relieve rheumatism and 7 feet in height.1,2,3 The leaves are dark green to blue-green and sharply were made into topical ointments for aching joints and muscles. A pointed.1 The glaucous blue female cone is called the fruit or berry, and 70% alcohol extract of juniper berries, called spirit of juniper, has been 8 6 it grows to ¼ to ½ inch in diameter and is blue or reddish in its second used to treat dropsy (edema), intestinal pain, and lack of appetite. 7 year.1,4 The cone usually matures in the third year and has 3 seeds.1 Juniper berry has been utilized to treat colic, cystitis, some forms of Currently, the berry and the oil extracts from the berry are the parts cancer, as a steam inhalation to treat bronchitis, and as an extract to 2 that are used commercially. The berry is steam distilled after fermenta- treat snakebites and intestinal worms. Juniper berry oil has been used tion or without fermentation to extract the essential oil.2 even in veterinary medicine, mixed with lard and applied to wounds to ease irritation from fly infestation.8 Juniper berry has been used as HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE a diuretic9,10,11 and to battle bad breath.10 Many Native American tribes of North America have utilized vari- Commercially, juniper berries are used as flavoring agents in teas, ous parts of J. communis for a wide range of ailments.5 A decoction of beers (genevrette), liqueurs (ginepro), alcoholic bitters, and gin.2,4,9 the berries has been used for lung and venereal disease by the Black- The word ‘gin’ may be either a shortened form of the Dutch genever, foot tribe. The Woodland Cree smoked the blue berries for asthma which is derived from the Latin juniperus,9 or derived from the term and have made a decoction of the green berries for sore backs caused “Holland’s Geneva” as the Dutch-invented drink was first known.12 by kidney trouble. A combination One legend suggests that a Dutch of the berries with kinnikinnick chemist developed juniper extract as (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Ericaceae) a diuretic known as ginever, which leaves or balsam has been decocted, was later popularized by the British strained and used for tuberculosis by as simply gin. The extracts or oils are the Carrier tribe. The Inupiat have used in alcoholic and non-alcoholic used the berries alone or as an infu- beverages, baked goods, candy, frozen sion, or a decoction of the berries, dairy desserts, gelatins, meat prod- needles and twigs, to prevent and ucts, and puddings.2,4 Juniper berry treat colds and flu. A compound oil is used as a fragrance component in decoction of the berries has been creams, detergents, lotions, perfumes, used by the Kwakiutl for diarrhea. and soaps.2,9 The Upper Tanana have used both Juniper berries and their steam-dis- the raw fruit and a decoction of the tilled oil were listed as official medi- fruit and branches for colds, coughs, cines in the first edition of the United and urinary disorders. The Chey- States Pharmacopeia (USP) in 1820 enne have utilized an infusion of the and stayed in the USP until 1960, at fleshy cones for coughs, fevers, tick- which time they were removed upon les in the throat or tonsillitis, and also recognition of their potential irritat- as a sedative. They have also chewed ing effect on the kidneys.13 A critical the cones and have taken steam baths review of the literature from 1844 to with an infusion of the cones as a 1993 concluded that observed neph- cold remedy. The Hanaksiala have rotoxic effects associated with juniper prepared heated poultices of the berries and oil may have been confused branch and berry paste, which they with observations of the possible adul- have applied to wounds and cuts. teration of juniper oil in veterinary While the method of preparation is medicine with turpentine.14 Official not specified, both the Okanagon US quality standards for juniper berry and the Thompson tribes have used oil are available in the currently valid the berries for urinary disorders, and edition of the Food Chemicals Codex.15 the Micmac have used the cones Juniper fruit remains an official arti- for ulcers. A compound preparation cle in the currently valid editions of Juniper Berry Juniperus communis ©2009 Stevenfoster.com www.herbalgram.org 2009 HerbalGram 82 | 1 the Mexican Herbal Pharmacopoeia16 and European Pharmacopoeia.17 REFERENCES Pharmacopoeial-quality juniper fruit consists of the dried ripe cone 1. Hageneder F. The Meaning of Trees: Botany, History, Healing, Lore. San berry containing minimum 10 ml/kg of essential oil, with maximum Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books; 2005. 5% unripe or discolored cone berries; and identification must be 2. Leung AY, Foster S, eds. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used confirmed by macroscopic, microscopic, organoleptic, and thin-layer in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley and chromatography (TLC) tests. Sons, Inc; 1996. In 1984, the German Commission E approved the use of juniper 3. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. dried fruit (for aqueous infusions and decoctions, alcoholic extracts, Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000. and wine extracts) or essential oil to relieve dyspepsia (disturbed diges- 4. DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA, eds. The Review of Natural Products. St 3,18 tion or indigestion), but did not approve juniper as a single-ingre- Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons; 2002. dient aquaretic (an agent that increases urine flow, without affecting 5. Moerman D. Native American Ethnobotany. Portland, OR: Timber Press; electrolyte balance). Juniper is said to possess antirheumatic, antiseptic, 1998. carminative, diuretic, and stomachic properties.2,7 In 2008, the Euro- 6. Tyler V. The Honest Herbal, 3rd ed. New York, NY: Pharmaceutical Press; pean Medicines Agency (EMEA) published a draft monograph, which, 1993. rd once final, will be relevant for traditional herbal medicinal product 7. Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines. 3 ed. London: (THMP) registrations in all EU member states, including Germany. Pharmaceutical Press; 2007. 8. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Vol 1. New York, NY: Dover Publications The public comment deadline for the draft monograph is May 15, Inc.; 1979. 19 2009. The EMEA draft monograph proposes therapeutic indications 9. Bown D. The Herb Society of American New Encyclopedia of Herbs and for juniper fruit or preparations of juniper (e.g. herbal tea, 1:1 liquid Their Uses. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.; 2001. extract with 25% ethanol, and 1:5 tincture with 45% ethanol) that 10. Hocking GD. A Dictionary of Natural Products. Medford, NJ: Plexus are intended as traditional herbal medicinal products to increase urine Publishing; 1997.