Juniper
Juniper
Juniper (/ˈjuːnɪpər/), from the Latin Juniperus, is a genus of about 50-70 species of small trees or shrubs in the family Cupressaceae. They are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa, and to the mountains of Central America.
Etymology
The word Juniper derives from the Latin iuniperus, which is a combination of iunior meaning "younger" and parere meaning "to produce or give birth". This could be a reference to the fact that juniper plants produce seeds more rapidly than other similar species.
Description
Junipers vary in size and shape from tall trees, 20–40 m tall, to columnar or low spreading shrubs with long trailing branches. 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"-like structure, 4–27 mm long, with 1–12 unwinged, hard-shelled seeds.
Medical Uses
Juniper berries have long been used as a medicinal plant. They are a strong antiseptic, and can be used in cases of infection or inflammation. They are also a diuretic, and can help to cleanse the kidneys and bladder. Juniper can also be used to treat digestive problems, such as indigestion or bloating.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Juniper
- Wikipedia's article - Juniper
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