Junipers or Juniperus communis is the most widespread species of tree species in the world. The low growing scrubby versions have the Northern most range of the species. As a whole Juniper is found from Alaska to Greenland to Iceland, all across Europe and Asia circling around to the Bearing Sea and south through America to the Olympic mountains, the Sierra Nevada in Arizona and New Mexico and in the east to North Carolina. In most of America it is a low shrub except in a few eastern locations where it can grow to 15 ft tall. Throughout other parts of the world the Juniper grows in more of a tree form and can reach heights between 60-130 feet tall.
The number of varieties of Juniper is much disputed with numbers varying from 52 to 67. Because of their evergreen habit, diversity is shape and size, relatively low maintenance and other desirable qualities, it is commonly used in landscaping projects as ornamentals plantings.
They are evergreen with needle-like and/or scale-like leaves. They can be either monoecious or dioecious. The female seed cones are very distinctive, with fleshy, fruit-like coalescing scales which fuse together to form a "berry" ike structure, 0.16–1.06 in long, with 1–12 unwinged, hard-shelled seeds. In some species these berries are red-brown or orange but in most they are blue; they are often aromatic and can be used as a spice. The Berries are used as a spice in a variety of cooking styles but are best known as the primary flavoring in Gin. Juniper Berry sauce is commonly used in wild game dishes such as quail, pheasant, rabbit and venison. The berries are also the primary flavoring in Sahti style beer.
The smoke from burning of Junipers is used to bless or cleanse the home during Hogmanay - or The New Year in Scottish and Gaelic tradition.
Juniper Berries are steam distilled to produce Oil of Juniper. Tennessee, Northern Alabama and Southern Kentucky are the centers for this activity using the Juniperus virginiana variety. Juniper essential oil promotes and improves blood circulation. It also helps in the removal of toxins like uric acid from the body.
Historically, Juniper essential oils were a well known antiseptic and people often during war time were treated with it. It is also recorded to be used to cleanse/treat both the mother and child during difficult labors. Juniper Oil is astringent and has been used holistically to treat many ailments as well as clense the body of toxins. It is commonly used in blending processes- or the combining of natural oils for health benefits.
Image Citations: Bylands Nurseries (Photos 1, 3 & 5) , Samuel Adams - Norse Legend (Photo 2), Alternative Remedies Health & Herbs (Photo 4), Aviation Gin (Photo 6), Lucky Mojo Curio Company (Photo 7)
More Cool Tree Facts www.ArundelTreeService.com or www.MeetaTree.com
No comments:
Post a Comment