The meaning of the symbols of juniper seen in a dream.

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Juniper: From 5 Different Sources

Juniperus species

Description: Junipers, sometimes called cedars, are trees or shrubs with very small, scalelike leaves densely crowded around the branches. Each leaf is less than 1.2 centimeters long. All species have a distinct aroma resembling the well-known cedar. The berrylike cones are usually blue and covered with a whitish wax.

Habitat and Distribution: Look for junipers in open, dry, sunny areas throughout North America and northern Europe. Some species are found in southeastern Europe, across Asia to Japan, and in the mountains of North Africa.

Edible Parts: The berries and twigs are edible. Eat the berries raw or roast the seeds to use as a coffee substitute. Use dried and crushed berries as a seasoning for meat. Gather young twigs to make a tea.

CAUTION

Many plants may be called cedars but are not related to junipers and may be harmful. Always look for the berrylike structures, needle leaves, and resinous, fragrant sap to be sure the plant you have is a juniper.
Health Source:
Author: Health Dictionary
Juniperus communis. N.O. Coniferae.

Habitat: This freely-branched, evergreen shrub may be seen growing on dry heaths and mountain slopes to a height of from two to five feet.

Features ? The leaves open in whorls of three, are glaucous and concave above, keeled underneath. The berries are blue-black, globular, and a quarter to half-inch in diameter. An acrid taste, and a characteristic odour resembling that of turpentine, are noticeable.

Part used ? Every part of the shrub is medicinal, but the dried, ripe fruit or berries only are used in modern practice.

Action: Diuretic, stimulant and carminative.

An infusion of 1 ounce of the berries to 1 pint of water may be taken freely in wineglassful doses.

As a reliable tonic diuretic, the medicine is much appreciated in kidney and bladder disorders, whether acute or chronic. Although frequently successful when taken alone, it is more usually prescribed with other agents such as Parsley Piert, Uva Ursi, and Buchu. The berries are sometimes included with suitable alteratives in formula for rheumatic complaints.

It is on account of the Juniper Berries used in its manufacture that gin is so frequently recommended when a diuretic is needed. However, one authority at least. Dr. Coffin, considers that "the better plan ... is to eschew the gin, and make a tea of the berries"! The same writer tells us that if Juniper boughs are burnt to ashes and the ashes put into water, "a medicine will be obtained that has cured the dropsy in an advanced stage."
Health Source: Herbal Manual
Author: Health Dictionary
(Latin) Resembling the evergreen shrub with berries Junyper, Junipyre, Junypyre
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
Protection, Anti-Theft, Love, Exorcism, Health
Health Source: Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary
Juniperus communis

FAMILY: Cupressaceae

SYNONYM: Common juniper.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An evergreen shrub or tree up to 6 metres high, with bluish green narrow stiff needles. It has small flowers and little round berries, which are green in the first year, turning black in the second and third.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to the northern hemisphere: Scandinavia, Siberia, Canada, northern Europe and northern Asia. The oil is mainly produced in Italy, France, Yugoslavia, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Spain, Germany and Canada.

OTHER SPECIES: In Yugoslavia an oil is produced from the fruit and twigs of J. smerka, less rich and sweet than that of common juniper. There are various other species of juniper such as J. oxycedrus which produces cade oil, J. virginiana which produces the so-called Virginian cedarwood oil, and J. sabina which produces savin oil. See also Botanical Classification section.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The needles and berries have a long traditional history of use. It is used medicinally for urinary infections such as cystitis and urethritis; for respiratory problems such as bronchitis, colic and coughs; as well as gastro-intestinal infections and worms. It helps expel the build-up of uric acid in the joints, and is employed in gout, rheumatism and arthritis. Current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for rheumatic pain and cystitis.

ACTIONS: Antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, nervine, parasiticide, rubefacient, sedative, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vulnerary.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from 1. the berries (sometimes fermented first as a by-product of juniper – brandy manufacture – the oil is considered an inferior product), and 2. the needles and wood. A resinoid, concrete and absolute are also produced on a small scale.

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. A water-white or pale yellow mobile liquid with a sweet, fresh, woody-balsamic odour. It blends well with vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood, mastic, oakmoss, galbanum, elemi, cypress, clary sage, pine, lavender, lavandin, labdanum, fir needle, rosemary, benzoin, balsam tolu, geranium and citrus oils. 2. A water-white or pale yellow mobile liquid with a sweet-balsamic, fresh, turpentine-like odour.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly monoterpenes: pinene, myrcene, sabinene with limonene, cymene, terpinene, thujene and camphene, among others.

SAFETY DATA: Non-sensitizing, may be slightly irritating, generally non-toxic. However, it stimulates the uterine muscle (an abortifacient) and must not be used during pregnancy. Neither should it be used by those with kidney disease due to its nephrotoxic effect. The wood oil is usually adulterated with turpentine oil. It is best to use only juniper berry oil, in moderation.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin care: Acne, dermatitis, eczema, hair loss, haemorrhoids, oily complexions, as a skin toner, wounds.

Circulation muscles and joints: Accumulation of toxins, arteriosclerosis, cellulitis, gout, obesity, rheumatism.

Immune system: Colds, ’flu, infections.

Genito-urinary system: Amenorrhoea, cystitis, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea.

Nervous system: Anxiety, nervous tension and stress-related conditions.

OTHER USES: Berries and extracts are used in diuretic and laxative preparations; also veterinary preventatives of ticks and fleas. Employed as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes, especially spicy fragrances and aftershaves. Extensively used in many food products but especially alcoholic and soft drinks: the berries are used to flavour gin.

Health Source: The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils
Author: Julia Lawless

Juniper Tea

Juniper Tea is made from juniper, an evergreen tree that grows mainly in Europe, northern Asia and North America. It grows basically in siliceous soils and their sizes and shapes differ: from tall trees to columnar or low spreading shrubs with long trailing branches. Juniper fruits are purple, blue, violet or brown and are typically harvested in early autumn. They are often used as flavoring agent in food. The main constituents of juniper fruits are alpha and beta-pinene, tannins, vitamin C, diterpenes and flavonoids. How To Make Juniper Tea To brew a perfect cup of juniper tea you will need to add 1 tablespoon of dried juniper berries in one cup of boiled water. Let it steep for about 15-20 minutes than, using a strainer to catch the juniper fruits, pour the tea into your cup and enjoy! Depending on your taste, you can add sugar or honey. Juniper Tea Benefits Juniper tea has been recognized in folk medicine as being a diuretic and a strong allied in kidney and bladder problems. Other benefits that you can experience when drinking this tea are:
  • Juniper Tea helps treating arthritis, rheumatism and gout.
  • Stimulates the appetite.
  • Stimulates menstrual flow.
  • Supports the functions of the stomach.
  • Helps treating colic, indigestion and flatulence.
Juniper Tea Side Effects Like in the case of other herbal teas, pregnant or breastfeeding women shouldn’t drink juniper tea without consulting their doctor first. If applied on open wounds, it may cause irritation and swelling. Also, juniper tea may interfere with diuretic drugs, the absorption of iron and other minerals. Over consumption may lead to:
  • Diarrhea
  • Kidney pain
  • Intestinal pain
  • Blood in the urine
  • High blood pressure
Juniper Tea makes a wonderful tea choice, thanks to its medicinal and healing properties. Just remember not to drink too much of it, though. Over consumption may lead to the side effects listed above! Two cups of juniper tea per day should be just enough!... juniper tea

Juniperus Communis

Linn. var. saxatillis Palias.

Synonym: J. communis auct. non L.

Family: Pinaceae; Cupressaceae.

Habitat: Native to Europe and North America. Distributed in Western Himalayas from Kumaon westwards at 1,700-4,200 m.

English: Common Juniper.

Ayurvedic: Hapushaa, Havushaa, Haauber, Matsyagandha.

Unani: Abahal, Haauber, Hubb-ul- arar, Aarar.

Action: Berries—diuretic, urinary antiseptic, carminative, digestive, sudorific, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue. Used for acute and chronic cystitis, renal suppression (scanty micturition), catarrh of the bladder, albuminuria, amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea. Aerial parts—abortifacient.

Key application: In dyspepsia. (German Commission E.) Juniper berry may increase glucose levels in diabetics. (ESCOP.) As a diuretic.

(The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the dried fruit in malabsorption syndrome.

Animal studies have shown an increase in urine excretion as well as a direct effect on sooth muscle contraction. (German Commission E, ESCOP.)Con- traindicated in kidney disease. (Sharon M. Herr.)

(In Kerala, Hapushaa and Mundi are considered to be synonyms; Syphaer- anthus indicus,Asteraceae, is used as Hapushaa.)

The major constituents of the volatile oil are alpha-pinene, sabinene and alpha-terpinene. Methanolic extract of the plant gave several labdane diter- penoids and diterpenes. The leaves contain the biflavones, cupressufla- vone, amentoflavone, hinokiflavone, isocryptomerin and sciadopitysin. The berries also contain condensed tannins. Seeds gave haemagglutinin.

Juniperus recurva Buch-Ham ex D. Don, syn. J. excelsa auct. non-Bieb. (temperate Himalaya from Kashmir to Bhutan) is known as Weeping Blue Juniper. J. macropoda Boiss. (the Himalaya from Nepal onwards) is known as Himalayan Indian Juniper. Both the species are used like J. communis var. saxatillis.

The berries gave a diterpene ketone, sugrol, beta-sitosterol glucoside and 10-nonacosanol.

Plant extract can be used in toothpastes and mouth-rinses to reduce dental plaque and bleeding.

Dosage: Dried fruit—2-6 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)... juniperus communis

Juniperus Virginiana

Linn.

Family: Pinaceae; Cupressaceae.

Habitat: Native to North America; introduced into India.

English: Pencil Cedar, Red Cedar.

Action: The berries in decoction are diaphoretic and emmenagogue like those of common juniper; leaves are diuretic. Red cedar oil is used in the preparation of insecticides. Small excrescences, called cedar apples, are sometimes found on the branches. These are used as an anthelmintic. (Yellow Cedar is equated with Thuja occidentalles.)

Juniperus procera Hochst. (East African Cedar), J. bermudiana Linn. (Bermuda Cedar) andJ.ChinensisLinn. (Chinese Juniper) have also been introduced into India.... juniperus virginiana

Juniper Berries

Juniperus communis L. German: Wacholder. French: Genie?vre. Spanish: Junipero. Italian: Ginepro. Chinese: Kuli. Iranian: Abhala. Arabian: Habul hurer. Indian: Hanbera. Dried ripe berries. Keynotes: kidney and bladder.

Constituents: volatile oil, resin, grape sugar, diterpene acids, tannins, Vitamin C.

Action: urinary antiseptic, stimulating diuretic, digestive tonic, emmenagogue, parasiticide (externally), carminative, sudorific. The action of gin as a diuretic is due to oil expressed from the berries. Anti- diabetic (unconfirmed).

Uses: Cystitis, renal suppression (scanty micturition), catarrh of the bladder, proteinuria (albuminuria). Digestive weakness caused by poor secretion of gastric juices, flatulence. Aching muscles due to excess lactic acid. Amenorrhoea.

External. Aromatherapy for gout: lotion for joints. As an ingredient of massage oils for rheumatism and arthritis. Cirrhosis of the liver: upper abdominal massage.

Combination: Parsley Piert enhances action in bladder disorders. Combines well with Wild Carrot and Hydrangea for stone.

Preparations: Thrice daily, or as prescribed.

Tea: half-1 teaspoon crushed berries to each cup boiling water; infuse 30 minutes. Half-1 cup.

Tablets/capsules. 250mg. 1-2.

Tincture BHP (1983): 1 part to 5 parts 45 per cent alcohol. 1-2ml.

Basis of Martini and gin (gin and tonic).

Oil: 5-6 drops in honey after meals.

Aromatherapy. 3-6 drops in two teaspoons Almond oil or other base oil, for massage. Precaution. Not used internally without a break for every two weeks. Contra-indicated: pregnancy, Bright’s disease. ... juniper berries


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