
Juniper
Juniperus communis
Du song (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hapusa (Ayurvedic)
Native to
As with many of our trees, its complicated. These trees have a particularly long... pre-history (did a dinosaur eat it? I don't know but let's just say it is possible)
A majority of the Witchlist's Garden include naturalized species that now live across the globe, for history's sake and to ensure we recognize any appropriation that we may make in our use of a plant, we include it's nativity.
Parts Used:
Bark
Berry
Leaf
All parts of the Juniper tree can be harvested for a majority of the year. Just be sure the berries are ripe!
Antibacterial: Stops or slows the spread of bacteria
Anti-Catarrhal: Helps to remove excess mucous from the body
Anti-Fungal: Stops or slows the spread of fungi
Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces inflammation/swelling
Antimicrobial: Slows or stops the spread of microorganisms, particularly those that spread pathogens
Antineoplastic: Acts as anti-cancer
Antinociceptive: Pain reliever with minimal sleep-inducing qualities
Antioxidant: Removes, prevents potentially harmful oxidising within the body
Anti-rheumatic: Reduces swelling and pain in the joints
Antiseptic: Stops the growth of disease-spreaders
Antiviral: Stops or slows the spread of a virus
Carminative: Relieves gas... Farts, specifically.
Digestive Stimulant: Pretty much what it says. Stimulates digestion
Diuretic: Makes you pee
Hypoglycemic: aids in the secretion of insulin and uptake of glucose
Hypolipidemic: Aids in the lowering of cholesterol
Stomachic: Promotes appetite and aids in digestion
Divinities & Mythos
Plant Energies
Over the course of millenia, various religions, physical sciences, diviners and star gazers, etc. have come to assign energies. This is perfectly synopsized by JD Walker in A Witch's Guide to Wildcraft:
Plants can be hot, cold, wet, or dry. They are assigned to or governed by one of seven (or nine [by including the Moon and Sun], depending on your outlook) heavenly bodies. People assigned these characteristics based on where a plant grew, what it looked like, and what effect it had on the humans and animals that came in contact with the plant.
Gender: Masculine
Chakra: Crown
Taste: Bitter, Pungent, Sweet
Energy: Cool, Dry
Warning: Dopplegangers + Kidney + Blood Sugar Levels + Pregnancy + Anticoagulants
Check your family and species! Not all juniper is created equal and some is poisonous. Make sure you know preceisely what you're getting when buying "Juniper".
If you are pregnant, in treatment for kidney, blood sugar, or coagulation irregularities - AVOID juniper.

Magical Properties
Attraction
Cleansing
Energy
Fertility
Health
Home Blessing
Love
Luck
Peace
Prosperity
Protection
Psychic Abilities
Purification
Spiritual Awakening
Truth
Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc.
Part of the reason that we list medical jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract medications we already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have.
When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere
with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantageous. Too much of a good thing, eh?