Herb of the Week

Juniper, Juniperus communis

Juniper Berries

Juniper berries are best known for their use in the flavoring of gin, and in medieval times, the berries were used in Scotland to flavor whisky. This simple tincture may have been used as a pleasant way to administer the medicinal benefits of juniper. Juniper berries may have aided in digestion and treated various stomach ailments. In ancient Egypt, a papyrus dating back to 1500 BC contained a recipe using Juniper berries to cure tapeworm infestations. In ancient Rome, the berries were used for purification and stomach ailments. In medieval times, the famous herbalist Culpeper recommended them for many digestive conditions including flatulence.

The chemicals in the Juniper berry also stimulate contraction of the uterine muscles. They may have been administered to create a more easeful labor, but, contradictorily could have been used to remove an unwanted pregnancy.  During the Middle Ages there was an Lothian phrase of giving birth 'under the savin ( juniper) tree'. This was a figure of speech for a juniper-induced miscarriage.

Herbal Benefits:

Rich in nutrients and powerful plant compounds, Juniper berries provide both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Juniper berries may have antidiabetic properties as well as promoting heart health. Juniper berries also have antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Juniper berries are rich in Vitamin C, aiding in removing free radicals and easing oxidative stress. They are rich in flavonoids, volatile oils, and coumarins. These compounds help to protect your cells from damage and reduce inflammation.

Juniper berries may aid in weight reduction and improve blood lipid levels. Juniper berries may also help to improve healthy cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol.

The volatile oils of Juniper berries, expressed through distilling the essential oil or extracting through alcohol menstruum may help to treat bacterial and fungal infections.

Juniper berries may also be incorporated into food to flavor cordials or as a seasoning in rubs and marinades.

Juniper should not be administered to children or for use during pregnancy.

Juniper Folklore and Folk Magic

Juniper is a powerful magical and medicinal herb that has been used for centuries in traditional and folk medicine as a protective ward against disease, poison, plagues, spirits, demons, and thievery.  Juniper has been used as a catalytic vehicle in charms and suffumigation rituals for protection throughout the ages. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Native American tribes used juniper smoke in this manner. Juniper berries were incorporated into protective charms and the trees have been used during festivals like Yule, to be decorated and revered for their protective properties as the darkest days began their return to light.

In Scottish folklore, the women would preform cleansing rituals during the new year, smudging their homes and properties with smoldering Juniper branches to expel negative and stagnant energies and to bless, purify and protect their homes, livestock and gardens for the upcoming harvest season. The Druids used Juniper paired with Thyme to enhance visions. Native American tribes used Juniper to usher in spring and to cleanse and purify spaces and persons from illness and negative spirits.  

Spiritual Correspondences of Juniper

Protection and Warding:   

Juniper has an incredible ability to ward and protect against negative energies.  Juniper is traditionally burned as an incense to protect against malevolent energies, entities, and influences. In folk magic, boughs of Juniper were hung in doorways to ward against ill intent. Juniper can be used in smudging rituals to remove stagnant and negative energy. Similarly, it can be diffused in a simmer pot to shield and protect hearth and home.

Spiritual Cleansing and Purification: 

Juniper berries are associated with deep purification and cleansing. It can be used to cleanse the auric field as well as all physical environments. Juniper berries are useful for clearing emotional residues and traumas, and psychic noise that may linger in one's personal auric field. Spiritual baths and anointing rituals performed with Juniper oil can help to diffuse negative attachments and clear spiritual noise, to reclaim a sense of spiritual clarity.

Manifestation and Grounding: 

Juniper is a very grounding herb, helping to keep one anchored to the present moment. While it also aids in enhancing spiritual awareness, the duality of Juniper's properties makes it an excellent companion for manifesting. Juniper bridges spiritual foresights with reality. Juniper helps to maintain focus and drive while ensuring that your energy stays aligned with your desires.

Psychic Awareness and Spirit Communication:

Juniper activates the third eye and crown chakras, facilitating communication and spiritual awareness with spiritual guides and the higher self. Juniper supports rituals involving vision quests, dreamwork, and divination. Juniper, paired with Mugwort, placed under your pillow may help to bring, retain, and decipher vivid dreams which bring insight from the subconscious mind. Juniper Smoke may also aid in drugging ghosts and spirits for easier communication.

Juniper Correspondences:

• Gender: Masculine

• Planet: Sun

• Element: Fire

• Powers: Protection, attraction, cleansing, purifying, blessing, consecration, summoning, psychic awareness, raising intuition, manifestation, drugs spirits for easier spirit communication, grounding, male fertility, good luck

• Ritual Uses: Divination, healing rituals, warding and protection, cleansing of all spaces, mediation, spirit communication, carry to increase male fertility

• Magical Workings: Warding of negative energies, dream pillows, cleansing rituals, cleansing of divination tools and third eye, amulets and spell jars, spiritual baths, healing, smudging, divination, meditation aid, house protection, protective talismans, manifestation

Fire of Azrael Incense

An incense blend used to cleanse, purify, and protect spaces, transforming and transmuting negative energies into more positive light vibrations. Fire of Azrael may also be used to facilitate spirit communication.

Equal Parts

Juniper Berries, dried

Red Sandalwood, dried

Cedarwood, dried

Mix ingredients together.  May be used as a simmer pot or as a suffumigation blend for smudging.

-Tria Prima Botanica