Nephrotoxicity of juniper berry preparations: A critical review of the literature from 1844 to 1993

Author(s): Heil, B.

Abstract: Medical handbooks and phytopharamceutical textbooks Attribute nephrotoxic effects to the juniper berry and the oil of the juniper berry. This assumption obviously refers to observations concerning turpentine oil being used in veterinary medicine. The nephrotoxic effects depend on much too high doses. Further nephrotoxic effects are errogenously suggested from pathological protein values in urine, which in fact embody acute kidney infections. These have never been discussed in the original literature since 1937! They have not been substantiated for almost one century and may be due to the falsification of juniper oil with turpentine oil.

Keyword(s): Juniperus communis L.

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