Juniper

Fun fact! This plant is most commonly known for its use in the making of gin. While no one knows exactly how the drink came to be, it may be derived from an old recipe found in the 1299 Dutch work Der Naturen Bloeme, which recommended boiling juniper berries in rainwater or wine to treat stomach pain.

Did you know? Native American tribes used this plant “against bad magic, plague, and various negative influences” (Moore, 1989, p.65). It was and still is used as incense, in saunas and sweat lodges, and as a protection talisman to detoxify the environment and transmute subtle energy.

Witches and occultists burn it for rituals connected to good health, fortune, harmony, and banishing anything that may cause disease.

The berry that is used is high in vitamin C, vitamin B3 (niacin), and vitamin B1 (thianin), as well as many amino acids and trace minerals including calcium, cobalt, chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, and zinc.

Today it is used for its antimicrobial properties. Buhner notes that [the plants'] “...antimicrobial activities show up against 57 strains of 24 bacterial species, including Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Brevundimonas, Brucella, Enterbaccter, Escherichia, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Xanthomonas” (Buhner, 2012, p.180). It also has been shown to inhibit 11 Candida species. As an anti-viral, it is active against various cancer cell lines, SARS coronavirus, and herpes simplex 1 (Buhner, 2012).

This plants' diuretic action may also be useful in such conditions as congestive heart failure, edema, and dropsy, a condition accompanied by swelling, scanty urine, poor appetite, sluggishness, and debility.

Today, herbalists use juniper as an anti-inflammatory, to reduce stiffness and pain associated with arthritis, gout, neuralgia, and rheumatism.

Not only is juniper a historical antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic, but it is also a disinfectant. As a decoction, it has been used to sterilize countertops, utensils, and even surgical instruments. It has also been used topically to disinfect wounds.

While there are over 60 varieties, not all are edible/ medicinal. The one you'll see here in North Dakota is the Rocky Mountain Juniper, which thankfully for us, is edible!

Pick the berries as they ripen in the fall for optimal benefits and use immediately or dry.