JUNIPER

JUNIPER

(Juniperus communis)      Top Pick

Other Names

Enebro, Genera, Gin Berry, Gin Plant, Ginepro, Prickly Juniper.

Description

Juniper is a short evergreen shrub native to North America, Europe and Asia.   It is found in rocky areas growing 2 - 6 feet tall but occasionally reaching heights up to 25 feet.   The chocolate brown bark is covered in needle shaped leaves that have a white stripe on top and are yellow on the bottom.   The male flowers are yellow, while the female flowers are green, blooming from April through June.   The first year a green berry is produced, ripening to a dark purple color the second year.

Classification

Dry

Taste

Pungent

Balance Yin/Yang

Hot

Humor

Fire  é  Water   ê  Air   ê

Uses/Applications

Juniper berries make an excellent antiseptic for conditions such as cystitis or gastrointestinal infections.   Use to aid digestion, ease colic, eliminate excess water, and to treat gout.   Externally use to ease muscle and joint pain.   Juniper Oil is good for bone or joint problems.   Breathe the vapors for bronchitis or lung infections.   Use Juniper tar for skin problems and hair loss. 

Berries

Infusion

Sip a weak infusion for stomach upsets, chills, or menstrual pain.

Essential Oil

Chest Rub

Use for stubborn coughs or bronchitis.

Hair Rinse

Use of psoriasis affecting the scalp.

Lotion

Use for oil skin or acne

Massage Oil

Apply to arthritic joints

Oil

Add to bath water for arthritis, gout, and muscle pain.

Ointment

Apply to chronic scaling eczema or psoriasis.

Tincture

Use for urinary infections or to stimulate digestion.

Combinations

Constituents

Essential oil, Invert Sugar, Flavone, Glycosides, Resin, Tannins, Organic Acids, Volatile Oil - Terpinen 4.

Action

Diuretic, Carminative, Anti-Rheumatic, Anti-Microbial, Emmenagogue, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic.   Anti Tumor agent Podoph Yllotoxin.

Food Values

Vitamin C, Cobalt.

Part Used

Dried ripe Berries, Oil.

Collection

Collect the ripe berries in the fall.   Dry them slowly in the shade.

Preparation

Infusion

Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 Tsp. lightly crushed berries.   Infuse for 20 minutes.   Drink in the morning and at night.   You can also sip the infusion for stomach upsets, chills, or menstrual pain.

Extract

Take 10 - 20 drops three times per day.

Tincture

Take 2 ml. three times per day for urinary infections or to stimulate digestion.

Syrup

Take 1 Tbsp. two times per day in water, tea, or milk.   Children take 1 Tsp. three times per day. 

Dried Berries

Chew a few berries each day.

Lotion

Add 5 drops of oil to 50 ml. equal parts Rosewater and Witch Hazel.

Oil

Add 5 drops to your bath water.

Massage Oil

Dilute 10 drops of Juniper Oil in 5 ml. of Almond Oil.

Hair Rinse

Add 10 drops of Juniper Oil to 500 ml. hot water.   Mix well.   Leave in your hair 15 minutes.

Ointment

Add 10 drops of Juniper Oil to 20 ml. of a melted ointment base.   Cool before using.

Growing Directions

If you want Juniper Berries you must plant a male and a female plant.   Juniper prefers sandy soil and full sun but it will adapt to many conditions.

History

Juniper has long been associated with ritual cleansing.   It was burned in temples as part of their regular purification rites.   There are medicinal recipes on file dating back to 1550 BC.   For over 300 years it was used as a popular intoxicant and calminative in the western cultures.   The Greek and Arab healers, as well as Native Indian healers, used it to treat many diseases and illnesses.

Additional Information

1.   Juniper Tar Oil is made by dry distillation of the heartwood of various types of Juniper trees.   It contains Phenol and it has a mild disinfectant action.   Applied externally, it is a non irritating oil used for chronic skin conditions.

2.   The fruit and oil are extensively used as a flavoring agent in food, perfume, and soap. 

3.   Juniper Berry is best known for its use to flavor Gin.

Cautions

1.   Avoid high doses during pregnancy as Juniper is a uterine stimulant.

2.   Juniper may irritate the kidney if used for long periods of time. 

3.   Do not take for more than 6 weeks.

4.   If excessive urination or kidney irritation occurs, cease using the product immediately.

5.   Do not use if you are suffering from kidney problems.

Magick Information

There is no magical value.