No. 3: juniper
Our island is filled to the brim with amazing flora that can be used for food, medicinal purposes, skin care, natural dyes…and so much more. A prime example of a plant that does it all is Juniper. You will find these beautiful, spiky trees growing in disturbed soil along our coastal trails and on our seaside bluffs. During my walk yesterday, I noticed that the small juniper trees that have popped up next to a fairly new trail, were loaded with gorgeous deep blue berries. I decided to do a bit of digging when I got home to learn more about these conifers and was shocked to learn all the uses these ‘berries’ - which are in fact the cones of the female trees and not berries at all - have.
Local Juniper tree
The cones from a handful of species, especially Juniperus communis, are used as a spice, particularly in European cuisine and also give gin its distinctive flavour. Juniper berries are among the only spices derived from conifers along with spruce buds.
Wild juniper berries may be small, but they are packed and potent. They have an unforgettable flavour and aroma that is piney, balsamic, slightly peppery with fruit overtones and citrusy undertones. They have powerful medicinal properties too. Whether used as a spice or as medicine, a little goes a long way.
All About Juniper Berries
Properties of juniper berries
Astringent, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, digestive, diuretic
Contraindications
Not to be used during pregnancy due to its stimulant qualities. In fact, juniper was historically used to abort unwanted pregnancies. And reportedly, Zuni Indians used juniper to assist childbirth.
Culinary uses of juniper berries
Today the most common use for juniper berries is gin making.
A kitchen spice, particularly when cooking any wild foods like wild game or foraged mushrooms. But juniper berries give a unique flavor to any rich meats like pork or even chicken, sausages, stuffings, stews and more.
In fermented foods, like sauerkraut or sourdough, in beer brewing or soda making. This is because juniper berries contain a small amount of natural yeast on their skin, which aids any fermentation process, while also adding an unforgettable flavour.
Native Americans were also known to ground the berries into flour, use it for baking.
Medicinal uses of juniper berries
The most common medicinal use is to treat urinary tract infections, due to their diuretic properties in combination with their antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It can tackle the bacteria in the kidneys, and then increase urine volume to flush the bacteria out – and all without flushing away too many electrolytes.
Other than UTIs, juniper berries are associated with a long list of medicinal benefits and have historically been used to treat or alleviate: diabetes, cold and flu symptoms, swollen joints, stiff neck or back (making juniper oil great for massages), arthritic pain, bloating and water retention, digestive issues like gas and stomach cramping, eye infections, fever, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, cystitis, kidney issues, anemia (blood tonic, not source of iron), parasites and bacteria, also scabies.
The high antioxidant content of juniper berries enables them to keep the body strong, healthy and disease-free. So enjoy them not only to alleviate health issues, but also to prevent them.
Another benefit is improved sleep quality. Oil distilled from juniper berries has been proven to reduce anxiety and act as a relaxant. It has helped people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Above information sourced from Wyld Studio
Navajo Ghost Beads
Ghost beads are a common adornment among the Navajo people of the Southwestern United States, but they are more than just mere decoration to those who wear them. Ghost beads are thought to represent a connection between the earth, trees, animals and humans. The jewelry is said to bring peace, harmony and safety to the wearer. Many Navajos will keep these beads beside them when they sleep since these beads are traditionally believed to ward off nightmares caused by evil spirits. They are also believed to ward away negative energy throughout the day.
How Are Navajo Ghost Beads Made?
Ghost beads are dried juniper or cedar berries that are usually lightly smoked and strung in a classic manner. Often, they will include glass beads intertwined with the berries if they’re in short supply. The berries are only collected after they have fallen to the ground and have been eaten by ants. The ants go in one end of the berry and devour the insides, leaving a hollow dried skin. An artisan will make a hole in the other end to complete the bead’s creation.
Why Are Juniper Berries Used?
Juniper berries have a special cultural significance to the Navajo people. They have always been one of the most common food staples in the region, so they are inextricably connected to life and light. Many Navajo people use them to treat diabetes today. They are also believed to provide spiritual protection when needed. In earlier times, it was customary to smear juniper ashes on one’s face before going out into the darkness.
By the same token, shaking out a bedsheet at night was believed to attract negative spirits. To ward them off, juniper ashes would be sprinkled across the bed. If a stranger entered a community, then people would keep ghost beads on them before shaking their hands to avoid being cursed.
Why Are They Called ‘Ghost Beads’?
The intriguing name “ghost beads” carries a deeper significance rooted in Navajo culture and spirituality. These beads are not simply adorned for their aesthetic appeal; they are called “ghost beads” due to their profound connection to the spiritual realm. In Navajo belief, the term “ghost” encompasses more than just departed souls; it encompasses the presence of spirits, both benevolent and malevolent, that coexist with the living.
Ghost beads are named so because they are believed to possess the power to protect individuals from negative spirits and malevolent energies. When worn or kept nearby, they act as a shield, preventing these unseen forces from causing harm. The choice of juniper berries, often used to make these beads, is significant as juniper is considered a purifying and protective element in Navajo culture. Just as juniper ashes were used to ward off darkness and curses in the past, ghost beads made from juniper berries serve as a spiritual safeguard, offering peace, harmony, and safety to those who wear or carry them. This connection to the spirit world and their protective qualities are why these cherished adornments are known as “ghost beads.”
How Are They Used Today?
While many people still wear them or keep them in bedrooms, they are also kept in offices or on the rearview mirrors of cars. In any of these places, they are still used to drive away negative energy and provide peace and tranquility to the bearers. Although they are still predominantly worn by the Navajo and Ute peoples, other groups respectfully obtain them either for protection or simple decoration.
Above information sourced from Kachina House
Well, now that I know more about these beauties, I’ll be heading out this afternoon to forage some ripe juniper for my spice cabinet!
