Juniper

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Juniper's mention stretches back to the Ancient Egyptian Papyri, where it is mentioned as an ingredient for both incense and medicine; as a fragrant wood, throughout history it’s been used to ward off many diseases. Juniper has also been considered “the guardian of the Dead” and thought to nurture souls until they were ready to reincarnate (where? Among whom?). Magically it has been used as a purifier, and is believed to protect against venomous beasts and spells of faintness. For that reason houses are Sained with the wood on New Years in Scotland, and Beltaine fires used to drive Cattle to protect them from evil influence contain the wood in both Scotland and Ireland. Indeed, the latter bit may have some merit as modern science has shown that Juniper Wood is known to repel biting insects, and its stimulating properties can prevent dizziness and weakness. Nowadays, however, Juniper is best known as a flavoring for Gin.

'Folk Magic and Healing: An Unusual History of Everyday Plants' by Fez Inkwright

Native to the northern hemisphere, Juniper is an evergreen shrub or tree from the family Cupressaceae, growing up to 6 meters high, with bluish green narrow stiff needles. It has small flowers and little round berries that are green in the first year, and turn blue or black in the second and third years of development; Juniperus Communis is the most common used to produce oil, but Juniperus Smerka (the other most common), Juniperus Oxycedrus (Cade Oil), Juniperus Virginiana (Virginian Cedarwood Oil), and Juniperus Sabina (Savin Oil) are all used to produce various oils for Aromatherapeautic use.

The oil is extracted from the berries (sometimes fermented first), as well as the needles and wood. A resinoid, concrete, and absolute are also produced on a smaller scale. The result consists mainly of monoterpenes such as pinene, myrcene, sabinene with limonene, cymene, terpinene, thujene and camphene, among others. In appearance and scent, it is a watery white or pale yellow mobile liquid with a sweet, fresh, woody balsamic odor- or a sweeter balsamic, fresh, turpentine-like odor; products made from Juniperus Smerka, however, are often less rich and sweet than that of common Juniper.

Antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, nervine, parasiticide, rubefacient, sedative, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vulnerary; it is used medicinally for cystitis and urethritis, bronchitis, colic, and coughs, gastrointestinal infections, and worms. It helps expel the build-up of uric acid in the joints, and is still employed in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, and arthritis. Berries and extracts are also used in diuretic and laxative preparations; in veterinary preventatives of ticks and fleas; extensively used in food products- especially to flavor gin; and frequently employed as a fragrance component in cosmetics and perfumes; it blends well with vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood, mastic, oakmoss, galbanum, elemi, cypress, clary sage, pine, lavender, lavandin, labdanum, fir needle, rosemary, benzoin, balsam tolu, geranium and citrus oils.

Juniper oil is generally non-toxic and non-sensitizing but may be slightly irritating. However, it is an Emmenagogue and must not be used during pregnancy (it may be beneficial in the treatment of Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, and leucorrhoea, however). Due to its nephrotoxic effect it should also be avoided by those with Kidney disease. As another warning, the wood oil is usually adulterated with turpentine oil to reduce price, and so it’s best to use berry-only oil as a result

'Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health, and Well-being' by Julia Lawless

The more you work with Juniper, the more she builds your spirit and mind [...] You will quickly become more aware and intuitive, able to see and hear the signs and messages [the other] realms have in store for you.

'Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants' by Juliet Diaz