Juniper berries are a spice used in a wide variety of culinary dishes and are best known for the primary flavoring in gin (and responsible for gin’s name, which is a shortening of the Dutch word for juniper, jenever).
What is special about juniper?
Junipers have the capacity to self-prune, shedding branches for survival, and its sap is rot resistant. Juniper berries and sap have been used medicinally in Chinese and Native American cultures and the berries supply food and shelter for native animals.
What do junipers symbolize?
Juniper was a symbol of the Canaanites’ fertility goddess Ashera or Astarte in Syria. In the Old Testament, a juniper with an angelic presence sheltered the prophet Elijah from Queen Jezebel’s pursuit.
What is common juniper used for?
Juniper berries or extract of the plant has traditionally been used as diuretic, anti-arthritis, anti-diabetes, antiseptic as well as for the treatment of gastrointestinal and autoimmune disorders.
What does juniper mean in the Bible?
broom
Actually the Scriptural “juniper” was a species of broom known as the white broom, Retama raetam. Its habit of growth is similar to that of the Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link, but its branches are longer and more flexible, forming an erect dense bush 3 to 12 feet tall.
What is the smell of juniper?
Think: ‘gin’. Because – as with that spirit – the juniper berry adds a bracing, exhilarating touch to fragrances. (When you smell gin, you’re basically smelling juniper, actually.) It has a touch of pine to it: a bit sappy, a touch bitter, but definitely fresh – and powerful, so it’s generally used in small doses.
Is juniper good for anxiety?
Juniper berry essential oil can have a supportive and encouraging effect on people and has been known to reduce emotional stress. This natural anxiety remedy is one of the most effective essential oils for helping people navigate their fears and heal inner trauma.
Why is the juniper tree called a broom tree?
The secret of its existence in the wilderness is its deep roots, reaching down to a source of life-giving moisture. The tree is spoken of in several Old Testament passages—Job, Psalms, Genesis, and I Kings. As noted, it is also called a broom tree, probably because it has been used in making brooms.
Do junipers attract spiders?
Junipers also attract a dismaying range of pests, including spider mites, aphids and borers. The mites announce themselves with fine webs among the branches. If there is any doubt, tap a branch while holding a piece of white paper under it; when tiny spiders (very tiny) fall onto the paper, you’ve got trouble.
What trees represent spiritually?
The ancient symbol of the Tree has been found to represent physical and spiritual nourishment, transformation and liberation, union and fertility. Often seen as a symbol of femininity due to its long branches and flowing leaves, the trunk is seen as masculine.
Can humans eat juniper berries?
Unlike other berries, juniper berries are typically used only in small amounts to flavor foods — not eaten in large portions. They have an astringent, pine-like taste, which makes them a popular ingredient for seasoning recipes and infusing beverages.
Are juniper needles toxic?
ANSWER: The University of California – Davis list Juniperus (Junipers) in their Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants list as having a minor toxicity (class 2) for pets and children. This rating means ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.
What drug is juniper?
What Is Juniper and How Does It Work? Juniper is an herb used to treat indigestion (dyspepsia), flatulence, heartburn, bloating, loss of appetite, urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney and bladder stones, snakebite, intestinal worms, gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, and cancer.
Why is juniper called Cedar?
They are members of the genera Calocedrus, Thuja, and Chamaecyparis, all of which are part of the Cypress family (Cupressaceae). Some believe that these trees came to be called cedars because of their aromatic wood, which resembles that of true cedars.
What tree did Jonah sit under?
Classification. The word kikayon is only referenced in the book of Jonah and there is some question as to what kind of plant it is. Some hypotheses include a gourd and a castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). The current Hebrew usage of the word refers to the castor oil plant.
Why is juniper used in gin?
Juniper provides gin with its sharp, piney and resinous flavour that carries a hint of citrus. In addition to juniper, we use a blend of six other premium botanicals in Sing Gin for a tantalising freshness.
Is juniper a masculine scent?
Juniper berries bring fine and racy spicy accents to perfumes. They are part of the fresh spices. Their gender-neutral scent is particularly trendy, even if until now they were mostly found in men’s fragrances.
Do junipers smell like pine?
The leaves are like short and tough like needles but with a more forked shape and can be grayish green or bluish green. The leaves smell like cedar, lemons, apples, or incense when crushed. Junipers are unique in that they are dioecious.
What is the tree that smells like fish?
Bradford pear trees
Bradford pear trees bloom during the early spring and emit a strong “fishy” odor. Bringing the Bradford pear tree to Maine seemed like a good idea at the time. Fast-growing with early spring blooms of white flowers, the tree, also called callery pear, is a popular ornamental in the state.
Does juniper help you sleep?
Its calming scent is also believed to produce sedative effects. Diffusing Juniper Berry Essential Oil during meditation or prior to sleep may help one feel calm and relaxed.
Is juniper good for hair growth?
Juniper berry oil is a fast-absorbing oil that renews hair growth and strengthens thinning strands.