A to Z Herbarium: Juniper

Herbs-Pablo

Juniper

Protection, Anti-theft, Love, Exorcism, Health

Juniper

 

Juniper has been used throughout Europe as a protective herb. Wearing a sprig of the plant will protect against accidents and attacks by wild animals. It can be hung at the door to protect against evil forces and people. It also guards against theft, ghosts, and sickness.

Burning juniper will help psychic powers, break hexes and curses, as well as drive off snakes and aid in exorcism rites. It was also used as one of the earliest incenses by Mediterranean Witches and Celtic Druids. Juniper can be added to love mixtures, and the berries are believed to increase male potency.

Juniper can be used to treat a number of stomach and digestion ailments. The berries are also known to create uterine contractions and were once used to aid in labor. Similarly, these properties also made it possible to abort unwanted pregnancies. In the Middle Ages, giving birth “under the savin tree” (an older name for juniper) was a euphemism for juniper-induced miscarriage.

Juniper is also widely used in brewery. Historically, the berries have been used to flavor both gin and whiskey. In Sweden—dating back to the Viking Age and prior to the industrial revolution—juniper was used to brew a weak, everyday ale (meaning even the children drank it). Such ale was considered a poor man’s drink, whereas ale brewed with malt was of higher quality and reserved for special occasions.

 

 

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encylopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham, 2016, Llewellyn Publications

Trees for Life

The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids

Wikipedia

 

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below

Sophie Duncan - 6 years ago

Well, I knew about the gin, but protecting from ghosts – now that’s a useful property.
Sophie
Sophie’s Thoughts & Fumbles – Dragon Diaries

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Could be handy–one never knows about ghosts. 😉

    Reply
Pamela - 6 years ago

Another plant that snakes don’t like so that’s going on my list to plant. Gin is becoming more and more popular in Scotland so I think there must be lots of Juniper around. Who knew it was such a useful plant.

Pamela @ Highlands Days of Fun

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Juniper is lovely, so hopefully it’ll work with the snakes.

    Reply
Kalpanaa - 6 years ago

Yum. I think juniper infused gin tastes delicious. I’m also always impressed how women from time immemorial have known what to do with unwanted pregnancies.

Justify #Lexicon of Leaving

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    It is amazing the knowledge women have had through the ages.

    Reply
Sage - 6 years ago

Do the berries have vitamin C? WHen I lived out west, a friend used to make “Mormon Tea” (a sage-like plant that didn’t have caffeine but did have a very mild sudifed-type compound) with juniper berries. The “tea” was to clear sinuses, the berries for vitamin C.

http://Www.sagecoveredhills.blogspot.com

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    They probably do, though I don’t know how much. Was the tea tasty?

    Reply
Nick Wilford - 6 years ago

I did know there were meant to be some magical properties to juniper but I didn’t know all the information here. Of course, all members of a family used to drink ale as a matter of course because the water usually wasn’t clean – so juniper would have come in handy in that respect!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    You’re right of course about people drinking ale because of unclean water. I’d be interested in trying the juniper ale.

    Reply
Tarkabarka - 6 years ago

Wow, I did not know that about giving birth under the tree… O.O
It reminds me of the Grimm tale called The Juniper Tree. That’s quite the disturbing story.

The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I haven’t read that story. Though, coming from the Grimm’s, I can believe it’s disturbing. 😉

    Reply
Megan Morgan - 6 years ago

Wow I didn’t realize that’s what the saying about the savin tree meant. I learned something new! I like the smell of juniper, too.

26 Things To Hate About Writing: J is for Jealousy

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I love juniper smell. 🙂

    Reply
Hilary Melton-Butcher - 6 years ago

Hi Sara – most of this I didn’t know – except the gin: knew that! Funny – I’d have said the tree was poisonous … but obviously not. Savin tree – I’d never heard that name … or its use …

Fascinating – cheers Hilary

http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/j-is-for-jellicles.html

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I hadn’t heard of the savin tree either. Pretty fascinating though. And hooray for gin! 😉

    Reply
Eli@CoachDaddy - 6 years ago

I knew nothing of this! It’s incredible to consider how uses for juniper were tested and discovered. If I can be protected from theft, ghosts, and sickness, I’d sign up for it. Love this A to Z theme!
———-
Eli@CoachDaddy
J is for Justification for the Blog Life

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    It sounds like a pretty good deal, doesn’t it? Thanks, Eli! 🙂

    Reply
Kaddu - 6 years ago

I have heard of Juniper, but didn’t know it could be used in so many ways, including protection!
Glad to chance on your blog during this A to Z. Came over from Hilary’s blog. I am doing an AtoZ on Happiness this year. Do stop over some time.
Happy AtoZing!
Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Glad you managed to find me Kaddu! I will definitely swing by your blog. 🙂

    Reply
Deborah Weber - 6 years ago

Such fascinating info about juniper. I’ve been really attracted to it for the first time since winter when I was given some as part of a Yule bouquet. It’s lovely to learn a bit more about it.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Ooh, juniper in a Yule bouquet sounds absolutely lovely. 😀

    Reply
Molly of Molly's Canopy - 6 years ago

Fascinating, particularly the juniper ale. Beyond that, it’s just such a gorgeous berry to see against the piney boughs.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    It is indeed. 🙂

    Reply
Carrie-Anne - 6 years ago

I don’t think I knew any of these things about juniper! I’d known about it, but not how it could be used.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Same here. It’s fun to learn new things. 🙂

    Reply
Gossip GrL - 6 years ago

I was thinking of planting a Juniper, now I know I will plant one. Thank you for the information given in your post.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    You’re welcome! Hope your tree turns out lovely. 🙂

    Reply
JazzFEathers - 6 years ago

Really enjoyed this post. I think is one of the best in this series so far.
I really enjoyed the historical tidbits 🙂

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thanks Sarah! I also like the little historical tidbits. 🙂

    Reply
Keith's Ramblings - 6 years ago

I’m in sudden need of a gin and tonic with lots of ice and a wedge of lime! Join me?

Another day in Amble Bay!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Sounds good! 🙂

    Reply
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