OIL OF JUNIPER 391 



pyelitiSj cystitis and urethritis. It is stimulating, but only slightly irri- 

 tating. Buchu has been recommended in chronic nephritis, and is useful 

 in irritation of the urinary bladder, with frequent micturition, combined 

 with spirit of nitrous ether. Buchu is occasionally prescribed in the 

 later stages of bronchitis or in the chronic form of this disease, and is 

 employed in its native country as a remedy for chronic diarrhea and 

 dysentery. 



Oleum Juniperi. Oil of Juniper. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Oleum fructus (vel baccse) juniperi, oil of juniper berries, E.; 

 essence de genifivre, Fr. ; wachholderbeerol. G. 



A volatile oil distilled from the fruit of Juniperus communis Linn6 (Fam. 

 Pinaceae). 



Habitat. — Canada and United States; Rocky Mountains, south to New 

 Mexico. 



Properties. — A colorless, or faintly green or yellow liquid, iiaving tiie charac- 

 teristic odor and taste of juniper fruit. Spec. gr. 0.854 to 0.879. Soluble in 4 

 volumes of alcohol. 



Composition. — The chief constituents of oil of juniper are the terpenes — 

 pinene and cadinene. 



Dose.—U. & C, 3i-ii, (4-8); D., Tllii-x, (.12-.6). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Spiritns Juniperi. Spirit of Juniper. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Oil of Juniper, 50; alcohol, 960. (U. S. P.) 

 Dose.— H. & C, gi'-ii, (30-60) ; D., 3ss-i, (2-4). 



Spiritus Juniperi Compositus. Compound Spirit of Juniper. (U. S. P.) 

 Oil of juniper, 8; oil of caraway, 1; oil of fennel, 1; alcohol, 1400; water to 

 make 2000. 



Dose.— W. & C, 5ii-iv, (60-120) ; D., 5i-iv, (4-15). 



Action and Uses 



Oil of juniper resembles oil of turpentine physiologically as well as 

 chemically. It is a stomachic and carminative, particularly when com- 

 bined with alcohol and other aromatic oils (sp'r. juniper, co.), but is 

 used in medicine chiefly for its stimulant and diuretic action upon the 

 kidneys and genito-urinary tract during its elimination. Oil of juniper 

 is capable of irritating the kidneys in large doses, .and causing congestion, 

 strangury, and even suppression of urine. It is le§s likely, however, to 

 disturb digestion than oil of turpentine, and does not so readily occasion 

 hematuria and albuminuria. Oil of juniper is indicated in chronic pye- 

 litis and cystitis ; also in dropsy of cardiac, renal, or hepatic origin. It is 

 efficient in assisting absorption of eifusions into serous cavities, through 

 its diuretic properties. The compound spirit of juniper approximates 

 gin in composition, although it is not the official name for that liquor. 

 This preparation is useful in the convalescent period of acute bronchitis 

 and influenza, stimulating the bronchial mucous membrane by virtue of the 

 volatile oil, and acting as a circulatory stimulant and diuretic. The oil 

 of juniper is an efficient renal stimulant in passive congestion of the 

 kidneys, and following the active stage of acute nephritis. 



Juniper berries are sometimes given to the larger animals on their 

 food (§i-ii), or are exhibited in infusion. 



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