Juniper
If you like gin, you’re already familiar with the essence of juniper. The berries, which are found amongst the prickly leaves of the bush, give off the strong and distinctive aroma that defines gin. These “berries” are actually fleshy cones that ripen to blue-black and show up only on the female plant. Junipers are in the cypress family (Cupressaceae), and they’re widely distributed around the world. There are dozens of species, but the berries used in gin and in herbal remedies are usually taken from the common juniper, Juniperus communis.
Health Benefits
In ancient Rome, coating the body with a juniper berry extract was protection against being bitten by snakes, being poisoned, and contracting the plague. It was even considered a remedy for feeble-mindedness.
Beginning in the 20th century, juniper was often prescribed as a diuretic for treating water retention, to relieve kidney and bladder problems, and externally for muscle aches and pains, arthritis, and even eczema.
Juniper berries contain flavonoids, tannins, and many volatile oils that laboratory research has shown to be effective as diuretics in animals. These compounds work by irritating the kidney lining, thereby increasing fluid loss by increasing urine flow.
DIFFICULTY
Easy
HARDINESS
Perennial in zones 3 to 8
TIME TO PLANT
Early spring or early fall
TIME TO HARVEST
Fall
LOCATION
Full sun
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained; will survive rocky soils
Growing
This popular landscape shrub comes in many different shapes, sizes, and colours—spreaders or upright pyramidal forms, blue needles or gold needles—and some even provide fall colour. Junipers can really enhance a landscape by offering winter interest and colour all year long, but not all of them are suitable for medicinal purposes. Some produce berries that are bitter, and a few are even poisonous. Know what you are eating!
Common Varieties: The best berries come from Juniperus communis, which is common in the wild. Other edible species include J. drupacea, J. phoenicea, J. deppeana, and J. californica. Avoid J. sabina and J. virginiana, which are toxic.
PLANT
Junipers can be planted throughout the growing season, but for best results plant them in early spring as soon as the ground is workable, or in early fall. Both seasons are ideal for establishing roots before harsh weather like dry summers or extremely cold winters.
There are over 50 known varieties of juniper worldwide. From short to long needle, upright to spreading, most junipers will produce berries, whose colour can range from red to orange to blue.
Select healthy plants! Look for needles with no signs of browning. Junipers have both male and female plants, and berries only appear on the females. The sex is never marked on the plant tag, so if you’re plant shopping in the fall, look for plants with berries already on them.
Locate in full sun and soil that is well drained—junipers hate being too wet!
Every landscape needs some evergreens, and junipers fit the bill. Not only do they provide four seasons of colour and interest, but the taller varieties also help block winds and will provide cover for birds during harsh weather.
GROW
Junipers are easy: Once they’re established they take care of themselves. But I do recommend a few things that can help.
First, prune them annually in early spring before buds appear: Remove any dead or broken branches and selectively remove others to improve airflow. Never remove more than a third of the plant at one time. Junipers can be lightly pruned again in early summer, but avoid pruning in late summer or fall.
Ensure junipers are well watered in fall; this will minimize winter burn. In areas of high winds, cover junipers with a burlap screen in late fall or early winter. You may also want to tie upright varieties with twine to protect them from damage caused by heavy snow loads.
Junipers rarely have a problem with insects or disease. In residential settings, the browning of lower needles is often the result of dog urine. You don’t want to eat the berries if that’s the case!
HARVEST
In late summer or early fall, look for plump, bluish to black berries. Lay a bed sheet under your juniper, wear gloves, and give the bush a shake. The ripest berries will quickly fall onto the sheet. Hand-pick the remaining ripe berries, but don’t harvest the green ones. You may want to come back and repeat this process later on if green berries remain.
Junipers can be easily found in the wild, so if you don’t have the space to grow your own, just forage! Always make sure you can identify the species of juniper to make sure the berries are safe.
STORE
Wash the berries by soaking them in cold water to remove bugs and debris. Drain and spread them on drying trays or baking sheets, leaving space between the berries. Place them in a dry location out of direct light for up to 3 weeks. Monitor and remove any rotten berries (they’ll turn brown or have holes in them). After drying, store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
Put It to Work
Retaining water? Expel it with juniper berry!
Edema is swelling caused by fluid retention—often in the feet, ankles, and legs, but it can involve your entire body. Because it can represent a more serious underlying condition, it requires attention from your physician. When it isn’t too serious, a natural remedy like juniper berry may help.
Gather about 2 cups of ripe juniper berries and wash them gently with cold water. Place them in a large resealable jar (like a Mason jar). Cover the berries with at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) of brandy (at least 80 proof), seal tightly, and shake the jar well. Set aside in a cool, dark place for 1 week, shaking the jar daily.
After a week, transfer the contents to a blender and blend on low until smooth. Return the mixture to the glass jar and replace the lid. Set aside in a cool, dark place for 4 more weeks, shaking vigorously once a week.
When the 4 weeks are up, place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl lined with cheesecloth. Pour in the berry pulp and allow the tincture to drain into the bowl. Gather up the edges of the cheesecloth and squeeze to extract as much liquid as you can (discard solids). Pour the tincture into a sterile jar and seal.
Take 1 teaspoon with water twice daily between meals. The tincture will keep indefinitely in a cool, dark place.
Joint or muscle pain? Juniper packs can help!
If your joints ache from an arthritis flare-up, if your muscles are sore from intense activity, or if you’re just feeling like a rusted Tin Man, then these juniper oil packs may help.
In a small heatproof bowl over a pot of boiling water (acting as a double boiler), heat 2 cups of castor oil. When the oil is hot, add 1 cup of juniper berries and stir. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer very gently for 3 hours. Check occasionally to make sure there is enough water in the pot and that the formula isn’t burning. After 3 hours, the castor oil will be infused with the juniper berries and your home will smell like a fresh forest!
Dried juniper berries.
Strain the berry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass bowl (discard solids). Add 1 cup of Epsom salts and stir well. While the mixture is still hot (but not hot enough to burn skin), dip a piece of flannel cloth into it. Let excess oil drip away. (Take care not to spill this oil on clothing—it will stain!) Carefully apply the soaked flannel directly to the area where there is pain, cover with a towel, and wrap with plastic wrap. (You can also apply a hot water bottle or heating pad.) Leave on for 10 minutes.
Remove the dressing and clean the area with baking soda and water. If desired, apply an ice pack for 7 minutes.
To store, place the flannel cloth into the bowl with the oil and cover with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. The oil will keep in the refrigerator for up to 30 days.
Fast Forward
Fast forward to the health food store to purchase Herb Pharm’s juniper tincture or equivalent. Follow the instructions on the label.
Cautions
Taking juniper for longer than 6 weeks could result in kidney damage. Strictly avoid in pregnancy and do not use if you experience any inflammation of the kidneys.
Don’t exceed the recommended doses—doing so may lead to kidney and skin damage. Overdose symptoms include blood in the urine, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, convulsions, and non-menstrual uterine bleeding.
Juniper may also lower blood sugar levels, so those with diabetes or low blood sugar, and those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar should avoid it.