Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Katu, Tikta, Madhura
- Quality (Guna)
- Laghu, Tikshna
- Potency (Virya)
- Ushna
- Key Constituents
- Juniperin, organic acids, resin, volatile oil
- Also Known As
- Sanskrit: हपुषा, सुरभि
Hindi: हपुषा, हाउबर
Overview
Juniper Berries (Juniperus spp.), known in Sanskrit as Hapusha, have a pungent, bitter, and sweet rasa, heating virya, and pungent vipaka. They act on plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, and marrow and nerve tissues, influencing the urinary, respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems. They pacify Kapha and Vata but may aggravate Pitta.
Juniper Berries are one of the best diuretics for Vata constitution, as they also dispel excess Vata and improve digestion. They are also very good for Kapha conditions. Their key actions include diuretic, diaphoretic, stimulant, carminative, analgesic, disinfectant, and bacteriocidal properties, giving them a broad range of therapeutic applications.
They are indicated for dropsy, edema, sciatica, lumbago, arthritis, rheumatism, swollen joints, diabetes, weak digestion, weak immune system, and dysmenorrhea. Precautions include acute nephritis, cystitis, and pregnancy. Prepared as infusion, powder (250–500 mg), or paste.
Source: The Yoga of Herbs, Section A: Commonly Available Herbs
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Deepana
- Pachana
- Mutrala (diuretic)
- Shothahara
- Kasa-Shwasa hara
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
How to Use Hapusha by Condition
Explore how Hapusha is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
Take one part each of yavani (Trachyspermum ammi), hapusha (Juniperus communis), dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum), haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz), vibhitaki (Terminalia belerica), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), upakunchika (Nigella sativa), kaavi (Apium leptophyllum), root of pippali (Piper longum), ajagandha (Withania somnifera), shati (Hedychium spicatum), vacha (Acorus calamus), shatahva (Anethum sowa), jiraka (Cuminum cyminum), pippali (Piper longum), shunthi (Zingiber officinale), maricha
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)
Prepare fine powder from hapusha (Juniperus communis), svarnakshiri (Argemone mexicana), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), vibhitaki (Terminalia belerica), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), katurohini (Picrorhiza kurroa), nilini (Indigofera tinctoria), trayamana (Gentiana kurrhoa), satala (Euphorbia Tirucalli), trivrita (Operculina turpethum), vacha (Acorus calamus), rock salt, kala lavana (black salt) and pippali (Piper longum).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)
The powder of hapusha, kunchika, dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum), jeera (Cuminum Cyminum), karavi (Foeniculum Vulgare), kachur, pippali (Piper longum), pippali mula ( root of Piper longum), chitraka (Plumbagoylanica) gajapippali (Scindapsus officinalis Schoott.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Vata dominant madatyaya is treated with administration of old salty liquor made up of flours, with added sours like beejapura, vrikshamla, kola, dadima and powders of yavani, hapusha, ajaji, shringabera preceded by intake of food with parched gram flour mixed with unctuous substances.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)
Chatu-Prasritiki Basti I: Half aksha (6g) rock salt, one prasrita each of honey, sesame oil, milk, and ghee, with one karsha (12g) Hapusha (Juniperus communis).
— Charaka Samhita, Siddhi Sthana — Therapeutic Procedures, Chapter 8: Standardized Enema Formulations in Prasrita Units (Prasrita Yogiyam Siddhi / प्रासृतयोगीयसिद्धि)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा); Siddhi Sthana — Therapeutic Procedures, Chapter 8: Standardized Enema Formulations in Prasrita Units (Prasrita Yogiyam Siddhi / प्रासृतयोगीयसिद्धि)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
Ajaji (Cuminum cyminum, cumin), Hapusha (Juniperus communis, juniper berry), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Gomeda (hessonite/cow's urine stone), with Badara (Ziziphus jujuba, jujube) — ground with kanji (fermented rice water), this paste is the supreme destroyer of Bradhna.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 27: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga)
Ajaji (Cuminum cyminum, cumin), Hapusha (Juniperus communis, juniper berry), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Gomeda (hessonite/cow's urine stone), with Badara (Ziziphus jujuba, jujube) — ground with kanji (fermented rice water), this paste is the supreme destroyer of Bradhna.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 32: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga)
Also: Chavika (Piper retrofractum), Hapusha (Juniperus communis — juniper), Dhanya (Coriandrum sativum), Kramuka (Areca catechu — betel nut), Katuki/Katurohhini (Picrorhiza kurroa), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Triphala — Haritaki, Bibhitaka, Amalaki — Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), and the two Nishas — Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Daruharidra (Berberis aristata).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)
Trivrit, Hapusha (Juniperus communis), Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Saptala (Acacia concinna), Katurohi (Picrorhiza kurroa), and Svarnachiri — grind all and soak in cow's urine for three days.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 4: Virechana Vidhi (Purgation Therapy)
Eranda seeds, Madhuka, Pippali, Saindhava, Vacha, and Hapusha fruit paste — this is the Utkleshana Basti.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 6: Niruha Basti Vidhi (Decoction Enema Therapy)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 27: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga); Parishishtam, Chapter 32: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 4: Virechana Vidhi (Purgation Therapy); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 6: Niruha Basti Vidhi (Decoction Enema Therapy)
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.