JUNIPER
(juniperus communis)
If you have ever had a martini, you know juniper. Aromatic juniper berries are the flavouring agent in gin. During the middle ages, Europeans believed that planting a juniper beside the door kept witchs out. Unfortunatlely, it did not prove complete protection as a witch could still enter if she correctly guessed the number of needles on the tree. As time then passed, Junipers protective repuation evolved into the belief that its smoke prevented leprosy and bubonic plague. As recently as World War II, French nurses still burned juniper in hospital rooms to fumigate them. Native Americans independently discovered junipers child-birth assisting properties. In 1540, the Spanish explorer Coronado entered what is now New Mexico, looking for the myhtical, gold-encrusted 7 cities of Cibola, only to find the Zuni women using JUniper berries to promote uterine recovery after child birth. They also used the herb to treat wound infections and arthritis. Contempory herbalists recommend Juniper externally as an antiseptic and internally for bladder infections, arthritis, intestinal cramps and gout. The meducinal claims of juniper are unfortunately take a bcak seat nowadays for its use in Gin, invented in the 17th Centuary by the Dutch professor, Franciscus Syluius, who at the time was more interested in creating a diuretuc tincture.
	The berries are good for coughs, shortness of breath, consumption, pains in the belly, rupture, cramps, convulsions and speedy delivery to pregnant women. They strengthen the brain and fortify the sight by strengthening the nerves. It is also a speedy remedy for those who have the scurvy, to rub the gums with it. The berries stay all fluxes, help the haemorrhoids and kill worms in children. As juniper increases urine production, the herb is also a possible treatment for pre-menstrual syndrome, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
If you want to take advantage of Juniper's diuretic properties, or want to try to relieve artheritic pain, or to bring on your period, take as an infusion of 1 teaspoon of crushed berries per cup of boiling water. Seep up to 10 minutes, strain and drink up to 2 cuos oer day, not excedding 6 weeks. Juniper should not be used in pregnancy or by anyone suffering from kidney disease.
JUNIPER AND RASPBERRY WATER ICE: This is a very pleasant way of cooling the body when it is hot and restless. Take: 1 teaspoon juniper decoction or tincture 250mls raspberry puree 1 egg white Mix the juniper and raspberry, put in the freezer until partially frozen, then take out and beat into a slush. beat the egg white until stiff, then fold into the raspberry mixture. Pour into serperate glasses and freeze for 2 hours. Serve with a sprig of fresh mint.
JUNIPER FOR THE SKIN: A juniper tincture or reduced decoction diluted 1-3 teaspoons to 250mls water, makes an excellant lotion or compress for weeping eczema, acne, sores, atonic wounds and ulcers. It can also be used as a soak to loosen stuck dressings.
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