Phytochemical investigation of the berries of Juniperus phoenicea led to the isolation of 4 compounds, namely; scutellarin, isoscutellarin, shikimic acid and the new palmitoyl lactone derivative 16-hydroxy palmitic-1,16-olide. This is the first report for the occurrence of these compounds in the species grown in Libya. The identification of the isolated compounds was based on the application of different spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the antihepatotoxic effect of the aqueous decoction of the berries was investigated.