A juniper berry is the female seed cone produced by the various species of junipers. It is not a true berry but a cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales, which give it a berry-like appearance. The cones from a handful of species, especially Junipers communes, are used as a spice, particularly in European cuisine and also give gin its distinctive flavor. According to one FAO document, juniper berries are the only spice derived from conifers, although tar and inner bark from pine trees is sometimes considered a spice as well.

Juniper berries are used in northern European and particularly Scandinavian cuisine to "impart a sharp, clear flavor" to meat dishes, especially wild birds and game meats. They also season pork, cabbage, and sauerkraut dishes. An Alsatian dish of sauerkraut and meats, universally include juniper berries. Besides Norwegian and Swedish dishes, juniper berries are also sometimes used in German, Austrian, Czech, Polish and Hungarian cuisine, often with roasts. Northern Italian cuisine, especially that of the South Tyrol also incorporates juniper berries.

It is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 10 meters (30 feet) in the wild, but is cultivated to a height of 2 meters (6 feet) and has blue-green needle-like leaves, small yellow flowers and the female tree produces a blue/black fruit (berry).

As an herb it has great medicinal value and was used against contagious diseases, such as cholera, typhoid fever and the plague in Tibet and in Europe. It was given to Mongolian women at the beginning of labor, and in Yugoslavia it was looked upon as an all-cure. It was burnt in French hospitals, to clear the air and is also very well known as the flavor ingredient of gin.

This crisp essential oil is used in aromatherapy to help stimulate and strengthen the nerves and bolster the spirits in challenging situations, while helping to relieve urine retention. It is used for treating rheumatism, arthritis and gout, as well as cellulite, acne, dermatitis, blocked pores, psoriasis and weeping eczema.

Juniper oil can be extracted from the berries, as well as the needles and wood. We sell the oil extracted from the berries, as it is a more superior essential oil than that extracted from the twigs and needles. It has a fresh, clear but slightly woody aroma, and is pale oil with a watery viscosity.

Benefit & Uses: The flavor profile of young, green berries is dominated by pinned as they mature this piney, resinous backdrop is joined by what Harold McGee describes as "green-fresh" and citrus notes. The outer scales of the berries are relatively flavorless, so the berries are almost always at least lightly crushed before being used as a spice. They are used both fresh and dried, but their flavor and odor are at their strongest immediately after harvest and decline during drying and storage.

Juniper is a short to medium-height tree that grows wild in some parts of Europe, North America, and Asia. There are many varieties of juniper, but Junipers communes is the most common in North America.
Some people apply juniper directly to the skin for wounds and for pain in joints and muscles. The essential oil of juniper is inhaled to treat bronchitis and numb pain.

In foods, the juniper berry is often used as a condiment and a flavoring ingredient in gin and bitter preparations. The extract and essential oil are used as a flavoring ingredient in foods and beverages.

In manufacturing, the juniper oil is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. Juniper extract and juniper oil are used in cosmetics including lipstick, foundation, hair conditioners, bath oils, bubble bath, eye shadow, and many other products.

Juniper berry can lower blood sugar in experimental animals. There is some concern that it might lower blood sugar too much in people with diabetes. Juniper berry might irritate the stomach and intestines, making disorders in these organs worse. It might affect blood pressure and could make blood pressure control more difficult. Juniper might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control more difficult during and after surgery. Stop using juniper at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Juniper seems to be safe for most adults when taken short-term, but don't use it for longer than four weeks. Long-term use can cause kidney problems, seizures, and other serious side effects.

Juniper seems to be safe when applied to the skin in small areas. Using juniper on the skin can cause some side effects including irritation, burning, redness, and swelling. Avoid using it on large skin wounds. Juniper also seems to be safe when inhaled appropriately as a vapor.