Juniper
Origin: Temperate Northern Hemisphere
Family: Cupressaceae
Scientific Name: Juniperus communis
Folk Names: Enebro, Gemeiner Wachholder, Geneva, Gin Berry, Ginepro, Gin Plant
Magical
Element: Fire
Day: Thursday
Planet: Mars
Zodiac: Aries
Associated Celebrations: WinSol
Deities: Hecate
Parts Used: Leaves, berries
Magical Properties: Protection, love, exorcism, health, cleansing
Substitutions: Pine, cedar, illyarrie, boobialla (native juniper, myoporum insulare)
Magical Uses
- Use in anti-theft sachets.
- Grow juniper at your doorstep for protection.
- A sprig of juniper will protect the wearer from accidents.
- String mature berries to make a charm to attract love.
- Use the smoke to cleanse, bless, and protect the household.
Aromatherapy
Part Used: Fruit
Extraction Method: Steam distillation
Flash Point: 38°C
Scent Type: Woody
Perfume Note: Middle
Scent Description: Woody-balsamic
Aromatherapeutic Uses
Antiseptic. Calms anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
Warnings:
- Avoid during pregnancy.
- Not safe for use for folks with kidney problems.
- Can cause skin irritation: use only in low dilutions.
- Sensitising: should be used in moderation, and not for more than 2 weeks consecutively.
Botanical
Juniperus is a genus of 50-67 coniferous trees and shrubs
Type: Evergreen tree/shrub
Plant size: 30cm-8m
Leaves: Green needle-like leaves up to 2.5cm long
Flowers: Male flowers are very small catkins (flower spikes with minimal/no petals), female flowers are small and berry-like.
Fruit: Spherical berry-like cones, 4-12mm in diameter, which ripen over 18 months to a purple-black with a blue waxy coating.
Etymology: From Latin iuniperus “the juniper tree”
In the Garden
Type: Evergreen tree/shrub
Light: Bright light
Water: Do not over-water
Soil: Well-draining alkaline to neutral soil
Tips:
- Feed with liquid fertiliser only in summer.
- Both male and female plants required for berry production.
- Berries have a stronger flavour when grown in warmer climates.
- Harvest berries when ripe in late summer, spread out to dry.