Is the juniper tree fruit edible?
Certain varieties of juniper berry contain safe, low amounts of Thujone, while other varieties contain high levels and can make you very sick. The common juniper, Juniperus communis, is the variety most often used to make gin, medicines, and food dishes, as it is considered safe for human consumption. Juniper berries are common ingredient in herbal remedies, thanks to their special properties. They also taste great in marinades, having a sweet, aromatic and slightly spicy flavour. These unique properties make juniper berry tea an ideal choice for health or pleasure.Juniper is an instantly recognisable flavour, especially for those familiar with gin. But within that familiar profile you can find sharp, sweet, earthy, bitter, juicy, pine, mineral, petrol, manure, jammy, rose-floral and citrus notes—it’s a wonderfully complex botanical, which makes it so interesting to work with.Juniper berry is rich in oils like myrcene and eucalyptol, as well as flavonoids and vitamin C, and is used in the treatment of various health conditions, including stomach issues, skin problems, inflammation, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).The scent of juniper itself is crisp and woody, reminiscent of a cool forest breeze weaving through towering pines. But juniper berries take this fragrance a step further, layering in subtle spiciness and bright, citrusy undertones that bring a dynamic twist to the traditional evergreen aroma.There are a variety of ways you can use juniper berries to add a vibrant kick to your holiday cooking, from dried to fresh, and game meats to baked goods.
Are there poisonous juniper berries?
There are numerous varieties of juniper. Do not eat juniper unless you can positively identify the species because not all of them are safe to eat. Juniperus communis is the variety typically used for flavoring. The berries produced by Juniperus sabina and Juniperus oxycedrus are toxic. Juniper berries actually aren’t berries at all. In addition to their slightly misleading name, juniper berries are also not a berry you would generally eat with breakfast, like blueberries (even though they’re similar in size). Instead, juniper berries are often used as a bitter spice.Derived from the coniferous tree, Juniper Berry essential oil has a rich history of traditional uses and benefits. Juniper Berry acts as a natural cleansing and detoxifying agent, and supports healthy kidney and urinary tract function.Juniper possesses depurative and vulnerary properties that contribute to the regeneration of the liver. By aiding in the function of the liver and gallbladder, it promotes hepatic health and alleviates portal congestion, thereby preventing the development of decompensatory sequelae associated with these conditions.The use of juniper is likely safe in most people when taken in daily recommended amounts. Juniper can damage the kidneys and liver if taken in large amounts. Signs that you are taking too much juniper may include lower back pain, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, blood in the urine, purple urine, and tremors.Barnes, who grows junipers in his own yard, points out there are a few downsides to junipers. For one, they should not be planted near apple or crabapple trees, because they are susceptible to cedar-apple rust, a native fungus disease. Also, juniper pollen can cause hay fever.
Can you drink juniper berries?
When taken by mouth: Juniper is commonly consumed in foods. But it is likely unsafe when used as medicine in doses larger than 10 grams of juniper berries (about 60 berries) or 100 mg of juniper oil, or when used for more than 4 weeks. It might cause kidney problems, seizures, and other serious side effects. Juniper activates the digestive system and stimulates digestive processes. For those with excess gas or in situations with gas producing foods, juniper can help minimize flatulence. In the intenstines, the antiseptic properties prevent and treat infection, and can be used to expel intestinal worms.Mainly due to an increased risk of miscarriage, even in small doses, consuming juniper berries may affect pregnant or breastfeeding women. Allergic reactions are possible. Consuming large amounts of juniper berries may cause catharsis, convulsions, or harm kidney function.All juniper berries contain the powerful oil Thujone. This oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and kidney problems when ingested in large quantities. Certain varieties of juniper berry contain safe, low amounts of Thujone, while other varieties contain high levels and can make you very sick.Juniper berry possesses essential oils like totarol, as well as flavonoids such as rutin, that possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease including heart attack and atherosclerosis.As a diuretic, the herb stimulates the kidneys and bladder to get rid of retained and excess water (possibly also helping to treat obesity). Juniper increases the filtering of waste products by the kidneys and helps to expel prostate sediment and gallstones. It is also thought to dissolve kidney stones.
What do juniper berries taste like?
The taste of the juniper berry is fresh with a fruity citrus flavor and an aromatic , piney spiciness. The berry is in no way sweet, instead it has a pungent, piney taste that can mimic sweetness. The juniper berry pairs well with other strong flavors such as caraway, garlic, rosemary and black pepper. The main flavor of gin comes from juniper berries, which have a sharp, piney taste. You may have heard someone say that gin tastes like a Christmas tree. The pronounced piney flavor is typical of a juniper-forward gin.The taste of the juniper berry is fresh with a fruity citrus flavor and an aromatic , piney spiciness. The berry is in no way sweet, instead it has a pungent, piney taste that can mimic sweetness. The juniper berry pairs well with other strong flavors such as caraway, garlic, rosemary and black pepper.You can harvest the berries green or later in the fall as they turn to dark blue. Juniper berries aren’t really berries at all, but are tiny cones with scales so small and packed so tightly that its hard to see them with the naked eye.
What are the side effects of juniper berries?
Allergic reactions are possible. Consuming large amounts of juniper berries may cause catharsis, convulsions, or harm kidney function. The berries of some species, such as J. A common juniper cultivar is seriously toxic. Savin juniper is toxic and potentially deadly if eaten in large quantities. Unless OP is savvy enough to identify Juniperus Sabina from Juniperus Communis don’t recommend they eat it or class it as edible.I find the best way to identify Savin Juniper is to observe the ascending growth habit of the branches, however, I don’t recommend consuming any cultivated juniper species that have scale-like leaves unless you are very confident in your identification.
What is the Indian name for juniper berries?
Names of Juniper berry in different languages: Hindi name: Haubera, Aaraar. Punjabi name: Abhal. Kashmiri name: Haubler, Betar, Pama, Petthri. Hauber is the Indian name for juniper berries, which are small, blue-purple berries from the evergreen Juniperus communis plant, known for their unique, aromatic, and pungent piney flavor.