Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

Juniper wood tar, obtained from the dry distillation of Juniperus oxycedrus, has a long history of use in both medical and industrial applications. Owing to its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, it remains significant in the medical and veterinary fields. The tar is produced by heating wood in an oxygenfree environment at high temperatures, and its chemical composition varies depending on the wood type and distillation conditions. Medically, it is used to treat eczema, psoriasis, and acne; in veterinary medicine, it serves as an antiseptic for treating skin infections. In the cosmetics industry, it appears in shampoos, soaps, and skincare products as an anti-dandruff and antiseptic agent, while in the industrial sector, it is employed in wood preservation, paints, and leather processing. In this study, the antimicrobial properties of juniper wood
tar were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans using the disc diffusion method. The results demonstrated significant antibacterial and antifungal activity, as indicated by the formation of inhibition zones around bacterial and fungal cultures. Moreover, the antimicrobial effect was dose-dependent, with higher concentrations producing stronger inhibition. These findings suggest the potential of juniper wood tar as a natural antimicrobial agent in the development of therapeutic treatments and preservatives. However, due to potential toxicity and skin irritation, controlled use is advised. Further research is recommended to explore its broader applications in medical and industrial contexts. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting plant-derived substances as sustainable alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial agents and highlights the potential of juniper wood tar in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reducing reliance on chemical preservatives.