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Roger Phillips

Juniper

Appears in
top 1000Wild Food
Wild Food

By Roger Phillips

Published 1986

  • About

Juniper

Juniperus communis The juniper is a small evergreen tree or shrub, locally common in the south and south-east of England, the Lake District and the far north. In Ireland it is common on the west and north-west coasts. The juniper grows on chalk downs, heaths, moors and pine and birch woods and it is often dominant in scrub on chalk, limestone and slate. It flowers in May and June and the berries ripen in September and October.

Juniper was used as a protective charm in earlier days. Its branches were hung above doors and windows on May Eve to keep away witches and it was burnt during outbreaks of the plague and sweating sickness. The smoke from a juniper fire was said to keep demons away, while infusions of the berries would restore lost youth. To dream of a juniper tree was considered unlucky, although to dream of the berries was often a good omen, foretelling coming success or the birth of an heir. Juniper berries are used to produce the volatile oil which is a prime ingredient of gin. The oil is the source of the flavour and diuretic properties of the spirit.

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