Juniper
| Botanical Name | Juniperus communis |
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Other Names | Aiten, aitnach, bastard killer, common juniper, horse saver, melmot berry, mountain yew |
| Habitat | Chalk moors, limestone hills, heaths, moors |
| Description | Evergreen conifer. Up to 1.5-3.5m/4-12ft. Stem: reddish Leaves prickly needles in whorls of three Flowers small yellow at base of leaves May – June Fruit green berry like cone in June ripens to dark purple berries September or October |
| Native to | Worldwide |
| Aroma | Peppery, fresh |
| Native to | Britain, Hungary, Italy, France |
| Part Used | The whole herb. |
| Harvesting | From second year onwards in autumn |
| Preserving | Berries: dry slowly in shade |
| Actions | Abortifacient, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxin, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, depurative, disinfectant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticidal, nervine, parasiticide, parturient, rubefacient, sedative, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vulnerary |
| Extraction | Steam distillation of berries or wood and needles |
| Constituents | Monoterpenes, pinene, myrcene, sabinene, limonene, cymene, terpinene, thujene, camphene, borneol, cadinene, Cedrene Volatile oil (up to 2%) –myrcene, sabinene, alpha pinene, terpinen 4-ol, gamma terpinene, alpha thujone Diterpene acids –myrceocommunic, communic, sandaracopimaric Flavonoids –armentoflavone, apigenin Desoxypodophyllotoxin, 1 ,4 dimethyl 3 cyclohexen 1 yl methyl ketone, sugars, resin, vitamin C |
| Combines with | Bergamot, benzoin, cypress, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemongrass, lime, rosemary, sandalwood, vetiver |
| Note | Middle |
| Culinary Uses | Gin, coffee substitute, beer, flavouring, pies, jam |
| Skin | Acne, dermatitis, eczema, haemorrhoids, oily skin |
| Circulatory, muscle joint | Cellulites, gout, obesity, rheumatism, arthritis |
| Digestive | Indigestion, colic, flatulence, colic |
| Immune | Colds, flu |
| Genito-urinary | Amenorrhoea, cystitis |
| Nervous system | Anxiety, nervous tension, stress, headaches |
| Other Uses | Food and drink |
| Other Notes | In England it was used to ward of witches and demons The Celtic word juneprus means acidic or biting Native Americans burn it during cleansing ceremonies |
| Caution | Large amounts can cause kidney damage. Do not use if pregnant Do not use oil on children |