BT-025 · Cupressaceae

Juniper

Juniperus excelsa, J. oxycedrus, J. communis
Evidence: TraditionalCaution

Gin takes its name and flavour from juniper berries (Dutch jenever).

Other names
Greek juniper, prickly juniper, arça (Kyrgyz)
Part used
Twigs, berries, tar
Region
Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Asia and Siberia
Use
Incense and protection, Ritual and shamanic, Healing
Juniper (Juniperus excelsa): twig with bluish berries
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
In short

What is Juniper?

Juniper (Juniperus excelsa) is a plant of the Cupressaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, Asia and Siberia. Part used: twigs, berries, tar.

What is Juniper used for?

Traditional use: Yörük nomads burn juniper twigs to smudge the home, the fold and the sick. Scientific evidence: traditional. The EMA recognises juniper berry as a mild diuretic and digestive aid as traditional uses.

Is Juniper safe?

Safety label: caution. Long-term or high-dose use of the berries can irritate the kidneys. Avoid in pregnancy and kidney disease. Juniper tar must not be swallowed.

Traditional use

Anatolia

Yörük nomads burn juniper twigs to smudge the home, the fold and the sick. Cade oil from prickly juniper is applied to scabies, eczema and animal wounds.

Central Asia

In Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Mongol shamanism, arça smoke drives away evil spirits; places and people are cleansed with it before ceremonies.

In nature

Where it grows
Dry mountains of the Taurus and Central and Southern Anatolia; Greek juniper climbs to about 2,000 m.
Harvest season
Berries in autumn and winter; twigs all year.
Local names
ardıç, boylu ardıç, katran ardıcı, andız, arça

Mix-up risk

Some junipers (such as Juniperus sabina) are poisonous. Never use internally without knowing the exact species.

Preparation

Twigs are burned as incense; berries are steeped; tar is applied externally.

What science says

The EMA recognises juniper berry as a mild diuretic and digestive aid as traditional uses. Antimicrobial effects have been seen in the lab.

Safety

Caution

Long-term or high-dose use of the berries can irritate the kidneys. Avoid in pregnancy and kidney disease. Juniper tar must not be swallowed.

Drug interactions

Medicine or substanceWhy it matters
DiureticsDiuretic effects add up; salt loss may increase.
Diabetes medicinesCan lower blood sugar.
LithiumThe diuretic effect may raise lithium levels.

This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Juniper.

Culture bridge

Cleansing with smoke. Yörük juniper, Kyrgyz arça and California’s white sage: similar rites that grew up independently. Read the comparison →

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Sources

  1. EMA monographJuniperi galbulus (pseudo-fructus): European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
  2. ResearchJuniperus metabolitlerinin farmasötik potansiyeli (derleme)
  3. ResearchTaşköprü’de (Kastamonu) tıbbi bitkiler üzerine etnobotanik çalışma
  4. BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
  5. Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Juniperus excelsa
  6. Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.

Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe

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