By Maryann Readal

What does a wooded area and a gin and tonic have in common? They both may contain HSA’s Herb of the Month, juniper (Juniperus communis). The common juniper is a small tree or shrub native to Europe, Asia, and North America, and its blue berries are used to make gin, an ingredient in popular drinks like Manhattans and gin and tonics.

The common juniper is the most widespread conifer growing in the world today (Terminstein, 1999). Depending on climate, juniper can be a low-growing shrub, a ground cover, or a small tree (Missouri Botanical Garden, N.D.) It is dioecious, meaning that each tree is either male or female. Both male and female trees produce cones. The fleshy cones on the female tree are pollinated by pollen from the cones of the male tree. The berries resulting from this pollination are found only on female trees. The berries are initially green but become blue or black as they ripen. The bitter, aromatic berries take 2–3 years to ripen. The berries are most often used for food, medicine, etc.

The Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks used juniper medicinally long before the berries were used as food. Native Americans tied juniper sprigs to aching muscles and used the oil as an insect repellent. A poultice of crushed berries or wood has been used to heal wounds, bruises, and other skin conditions. It has also been used as a diuretic and treatment for intestinal parasites and digestive problems. Inhaling juniper smoke is thought to relieve congestion. It has been used to treat rheumatism and arthritis (Native Memory Project, N.D.). 

While juniper has many beneficial uses, it’s important to exercise caution. More research is needed on using juniper as a health supplement, and its use during pregnancy or by those with kidney problems is not recommended. Large doses of the berries can cause uterine contractions, renal damage, and diarrhea (Bown, 2009). If the berries are being collected in the wild, care should be taken to ensure that the correct species is being collected, as the berries of some juniper species can be toxic. 

The ripened berries, which are the fleshy cones of the female plant, are used to season stews, sauerkraut, and meat dishes, especially game dishes, lending a spicy, piney flavor to these dishes. The berries are also used in marinades and rubs. Some Native American tribes added smashed berries to grain dishes. Artisanal cheese companies have begun to add crushed juniper berries to give their cheese a unique flavor. The berries are a flavoring for gin, bitters, and liqueurs. Tea with a gin-like taste can be made with stems, leaves, and berries. 

Juniper also has a wide range of other uses. Its bark, roots, twigs, and cones have been used for dyeing wool, while the foliage is used to make wreaths. The wood, known for its rot-resistant properties, has been used to make furniture, fence posts, bows, and even pencils. Juniper oil, extracted from the plant, is a popular ingredient in soaps and cosmetics. 

It is a host plant for several butterfly and moth species, while birds, particularly robins and chickadees, feast on the berries, and the branches provide shelter for many wildlife creatures. Other mammals also eat the berries. However, the common juniper is declining in the United Kingdom due to factors such as wild animal grazing, over-harvesting, and a fungus root rot, which is threatening its population and the ecosystems it supports (PFAF, N.D.).

Some old folklore traditions use burning juniper branches to bless and protect the home. Native Americans also used juniper in rituals and ceremonies (Moerman, 1998). In Scotland during the Plague, houses were fumigated with juniper smoke to rid the house of the disease (Trees for Life, N.D.).

We sometimes take for granted the nature that surrounds us and the lessons it can teach us. Learning the history, uses, and stories about plants is truly an enriching journey. For more information about juniper, please see the Notable Native Fact Sheet on The Herb Society of America’s website and the Herb of the Month webpage.

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a healthcare provider before pursuing any herbal therapies.

Photo Credits: 1) Gin and tonic (Maryann Readal); 2) Junipers in the natural landscape (public domain); 3) Juniper berries (Creative Commons, Ivar Leidis); 4) Juniper male cones (Creative Commons, T. Kebert).

References:

Bown, Deni. 2001. New American encyclopedia of herbs and their uses. New York. DK Publishing, Inc.

Kowalchik, Claire and William H. Hylton. 1998. Rodale’s illustrated encyclopedia of herbs. Emmaus, PA, Rodale Press.

Herb Society of America, Notable Native™ Herb Conservation Committee. 2023. 2023 Notable Native™ tree. https://www.herbsociety.org/explore/notable-native-herbsprofiles.html

Moerman, Daniel E. 1998. Native American ethnobotany. Portland, OR, Timber Press.

Native Memory Project. N.D. Accessed 1/15/25. https://nativememoryproject.org/plant/creeping-juniper/

Plants for a Future. N.D. Juniperus communis – L.  Accessed 1/11/25. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Juniperus+communis#:~:text=Juniperus%20communis%20is%20an%20evergreen,the%20seeds%20ripen%20in%20October.

Stewart, Amy. 2013. Drunken botanist: the plants that create the world’s great drinks. Chapel Hill, NC, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. 

Terminstein, D. 1999. Juniperus communis. Accessed 1/15/25. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/juncom/all.html

Trees for life. N.D. Accessed 1/11/25. https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/juniper/juniper-mythology-and-folklore/

Tull, Delena.1987. Edible and useful plants of Texas and the Southwest. Austin, TX, University of Texas Press.

Woodland Trust. N.D. Juniper (Juniperus communis). Accessed 1/11/25. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/juniper/#:~:text=Common%20juniper%20is%20dioecious%2C%20meaning,near%20the%20tips%20of%20twigs.

Maryann is a member of The Herb Society of America’s Texas Thyme Unit in Huntsville, TX. She is a Texas Master Gardener and a certified Native Landscape Specialist with the Texas Native Plant Society. She lectures, writes about herbs and plants, and does herb training for Master Gardener programs. She gardens among the pines in the Piney Woods of East Texas.