Juniper (Juniperus communis)

Because it supports healthy digestion, it is often used to season hearty dishes and to ease digestive disorders. It is also effective for infectious conditions of the respiratory tract.

Juniper (Juniperus communis) has long been valued as a safeguard against infectious diseases. People once believed it offered protection from plague and cholera, and that it could even help with snake bites. Juniper berries, known locally as klekinje, brinje or smrekinje, are harvested from early autumn through winter.

Fresh berries are not palatable and are not eaten. They are used dried, both as a remedy and as a spice, for marinades, fish soups, sauerkraut and game. They are particularly welcome in heavy or hard to digest dishes. Juniper helps relieve bloating and other digestive complaints. It has diuretic and antiseptic properties, so it is used for minor urinary tract issues. In 1987 Italian researchers confirmed its inflammation reducing activity. Juniper also shows antiviral effects.

It supports treatment of tuberculosis and other infectious lung diseases.

It reduces secretions from the bronchial glands, which is important when treating conditions marked by excessive mucus. Native American traditions used juniper berries in diabetes care, and more recent studies support this effect. Further research is still needed to determine precise therapeutic doses. When used topically for rheumatic conditions in the form of massage, it improves circulation in tissues and eases pain. Juniper essential oil is used for neuralgia and rheumatism. A bath infused with juniper tea offers a gentle relaxing effect that can soothe tendon inflammation and muscle pain.

Juniper grows in open pine and birch woods, scrub and rocky ground. It can be propagated from ripe seed or from cuttings taken in autumn.

It thrives in acidic soil and in sunny or lightly shaded sites.

Caution

Large amounts of juniper berries or their oil can irritate the kidneys, and prolonged use may cause inflammation. Do not use for longer than six consecutive weeks. Avoid juniper berries in cases of acute or chronic kidney inflammation.

People with kidney disease, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should consult a physician before using juniper.