Verdure part 2 Juniper!
Long ago, in Egypt, a person came in to a healer's home complaining of stomach ailments. The healer, wise in the ways of natural remedies, prescribed the patient with juniper berries.
Millenia later, Dutch distilleries paid for large quantities from the Inverness and Aberdeen markets for the making of gin. From the Highlands of Scotland to the great deserts of Africa, the Juniper has been a central part of ritual and purification.
It's not just the berries that have medicinal properties. People used to burn Juniper wood for its smoke. The burning of juniper wood gives off minimal smoke but this smoke is highly aromatic. In ancient times it was used to cleanse the temples and during the great plagues of Europe, Juniper was burned inside the homes while the occupants were still inside. The house was then aired out and the occupants revived to ward away the disease.
There are over 50 species in the Juniper genus. In Eastern North America, the Juniper is known as the Eastern Red Cedar. it also goes by Red Juniper, Baton Rouge, Pencil Cedar, Savin, and Cedar itself. This magnificent tree can grow and live for 200 to 300 years and prefers wide open fields and sunny locations. We in New Mexico know our fair share of Juniper!
Juniper leaves have high traces of calcium that create a slightly alkali based soil. Under Juniper Trees is the best place to find Earthworms! The meatiest and best for all your fishing needs!
In the late winter, many species rely on the Juniper berries for survival.
In Estonian folklore, a story titled Red Riding Hood, possibly another version of Little Red Riding Hood, tells of two families living together in a college. The husbands go out one day and never return but a devil and his son change their forms to appear as the missing husbands and enter the cottage. The eldest child said secretly to her mother that the father has long claws, a tail, and iron in his teeth. The mother put her children to bed and crossed two Juniper branches over them. When the true forms Of the devils are discovered, the wives trick and defeat them while the children lay safe under the Juniper for the devils could not touch them! It is interesting to note that Estonian devils can also be their version of ogres who even are kind in some stories!
In the story of Jason and the Argonauts, Medea uses the internal juices of a Juniper as a sleeping potion and sprays the eyes of a serpent guarding the Golden Fleece. In the tales recorded by the brothers Grimm, a Juniper Tree appears and acts as a magical guide and guardian for a household, being the soul of the main character's mother.
Today, the Juniper berry is used in culinary masterpieces and still used in gin production. The berry itself is high in antioxidants and can provide anti-inflammatory properties.
