MEDICINAL:
Juniper has been used to clear uric acid from the body. It is high in natural insulin, and has the ability to heal the pancreas where there has been no permanent damage. It is useful for all urinary infections and for water retention problems, as well as gout. Chewing the berries treats inflamed and infected gums. Juniper is used externally as a compress to treat acne, athlete's foot, and dandruff. Native Americans used a decoction of the boiled leaves as a poultice for joints affected by arthritis and rheumatism. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to treat sleep problems and to relieve stress. Used in a massage oil, it is useful for the female system and for the skin. It should not be used by pregnant women or those suffering from kidney disease.
GROWING:
Junipers of all species are adaptable to many growing conditions. They are low-maintenance plants. Choose a species suited to your landscape needs, to avoid problems later, as some folks plant them with no regard for their eventual size, and sometime find they have a nuisance on their hands as the plant matures. If you want berries for wildlife, you must plant a male and a female juniper.
