Long associated with mythology
Juniper (Juniperus communis or Cade) is an evergreen shrub or tree member of the Cupressaceae family, growing to about 10m in mountains, foothills and scrubland in the northern hemisphere. It has needle-like leaves and small cones that resemble berries that are green in the first year but turn black on maturing after three years. There are a number of junipers, some growing to over 30m, but I shall concentrate on communis as it is the best known.
Juniper has long been associated with mythology and religion; it was the symbol of the goddess Astarte in ancient Syria; the prophet Elija sheltered in a ‘friendly juniper’ when fleeing the troops of Jezebel, and it was a juniper that hid Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus from Herod. The first medicinal reference to the shrub is to be found in the Egyptian Ebers papyrus dating from 1500BC, where it is recommended as a method of expelling tape and intestinal worms. The plant was well known to the ancients and Discorides suggested the leaf stem and cones be burnt to purify a dwelling following a visitation of pestilence. Gerard and Culpeper claimed that juniper would clear a house of plague if used as a strewing herb and would cure snakebite. In central Europe, juniper leaves were burnt throughout villages to rid them of witches. The Swiss incorporated the plant with their domestic fuel to ensure clean air.
The plant contains monoterpenes; pinene, myrcene, sabinene, limonene, terpinene, thujene, camphene, acids, tannins and vitamin C. This renders its actions anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, depurative (combats impurities in the blood), diuretic, nervine, parasiticide, sedative, sudorific (promotes sweating), tonic and vulnerary (heals wounds).
Juniper is principally used as treatment for infections of the urinary tract, such as cystitis, urine retention and bladder and kidney stones. It is highly regarded by herbalists as a cure for digestive problems and flatulence; there is claim by some practitioners that it is effective against cirrhosis and diabetes. Aromatherapists use the essential oil to treat rheumatism, arthritis, acne, dermatitis, eczema, hair loss, gout and muscular pains brought on by an excess of lactic acid (athletes). Juniper stimulates the uterine muscle and is employed to hasten childbirth, however; it should not be taken by pregnant women for obvious reasons: in Celtic Scotland the Juniper was known as the ‘savin’, and a birth ‘under the savin’ was a euphemism for an abortion.
Apart from treating dropsy in sheep, removing tics and fleas from domestic animals, juniper is renowned as a flavouring agent in alcohol and food. The best known is gin, which was invented by a Dutch chemist in the 16th century. Gin is an abbreviation of the Dutch word for juniper; Geneva.
The plant features prominently in game dishes, where it overcomes the gamey taste and is an essential accompaniment to rabbit, hare, venison, pheasant and boar; it is added to wine marinades for smoked meats and pat?s. Adding juniper berries to duck and pork will reduce the fat content.
Juniper oil can be found in an assortment of cosmetics, soaps, detergents and aftershaves.
In Cyprus, we have a naturalised species, Juniperus phoenicea, known locally as ‘aoratos’, it grows to about 8m and is very common in the Akamas region.
Next week Birthwort
