NOTE: This article is about identifying, foraging, harvesting, and using juniper berries (Juniperus communis). This is a plant you can forage all seasons of the year, even in the winter. Here’s what you need to know to forage the berries from this tree successfully and use them in many culinary and medicinal ways!

I used to live in a Pinion-Juniper Belt when we lived off-grid in the high mountains of Southern Nevada---meaning Juniper trees were all around me, everywhere. It wasn’t hard to find Juniper Berries when I needed them. Wild Juniper grew right in my yard! For me, that made them "not that special."

But then, we moved to the Idaho panhandle, and I REALLY miss my juniper berries. If you live near a pinion-juniper belt, or in a place where juniper grows wild or where you can cultivate it, it’s worth learning about this plant so you can harvest and use the berries for food and medicine.

Do you know what? Juniper berries can even be foraged in the winter time!

It’s worth learning about this plant regardless, because you can do herb swaps with other people in different areas!

What can you do with Juniper-, both the leaves and berries? And where can you find juniper trees to forage? Well, here you go---

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How to forage for wild juniper berries and leaves. Find out the benefits and uses of juniper, how to find it, how to forage it, and how to use it! Juniper has many uses---Juniper is a useful plant medicine to forage and use!

Foraging Juniper--Berries and Leaves

There are several species of juniper berries, and some are toxic (generally the commercialized plants used in landscaping). You'll need to be aware of the species that grows near you, and that starts with the Latin name of the plant for proper identification. As always, when foraging, be sure you have correctly identified the plant.

One of my favorite books for foraging is John Slattery's Southwest Foraging and Michael Moore's plant identification books. He's written several for different regions.

Juniper berries aren't really berries at all. They are the female fruit of tree--the conifer. The berries are very attractive, light bluish-purple. They also have a white powdery covering that is actually a yeast bloom. These are perfect for getting your ferments started if you don't have a culture!

You can find juniper trees in the wild in environments like pinion-juniper belts, high plains areas, some mixed conifer forests, near the edges of scrub oak patches, and even in the hills. They are a real treasure.

Uses of Juniper Berries

Juniper berries have so many uses, they need to be included in every herbalist's medicine chest--especially if they grow wild near you! (Well, in that case, you'll have access to them all the time because Juniper Berries can be foraged all year round.)

If you can't forage for Juniper berries, you can purchase dried berries from Starwest Botanicals.

1) Urinary Tract Infections

Juniper berries are excellent for supporting the health of the urinary tract system. And if you feel that unpleasant little tingle indicating that perhaps a UTI is on the way, what I do is start taking the tincture or make a tea right away.

Juniper berries are my first go to for a UTI, and if one gets stubborn, I add Chaparral for about a week. You should drink LOTS of water too---and use cranberries. Here is an article about Supporting the Urinary Tract and UTI's Naturally.

Safety Note: Juniper can be irritating to the kidneys, so if you have chronic kidney issues, you should not use juniper. Otherwise, to make the tincture or tea more soothing, combine with a demulcent herb such as marshmallow or hollyhock.

2) Used as a Spice

You can use juniper berries as a flavoring for meat marinades (go easy though, until you get a "taste" for them). If you plan to use the whole berries in your cooking, know there are hard seeds inside, and you'll need to avoid them when the food is cooked.

I've put a few in the crock pot with a roast, and the berries add a delicious pungent spice! Again--just avoid the berries so you don't hurt a tooth! The ratio for berries in cooking is roughly 10 berries per pound of meat. They are especially good with venison and strong tasting meats.

3) Jumpstarting a Wild Ferment

Wild fermentation is a new trend these days. Basically, when you ferment vegetables, you can use a starter culture, which makes the fermentation process faster, some believe. OR, you can create a wild ferment, using just the yeasts and bacteria from the environment. OR, you can use a berry or fruit that has a natural yeast coating, like juniper berries, to get your ferment going faster.

You can read more about fermentation in these articles if you like: Fermentation: What is It?, 8 Fermentation Myths, and How to Make Perfect Fermented Sauerkraut. There are lots more fermentation articles on the blog too!

Here are some juniper berries I picked about a month ago. These are dried and ready to go! You can use them fresh, as well. They do not contain a high level of moisture. — Here are some juniper berries from the wild where we lived in Cold Creek, NV. I let them dry, and they’re ready to go! You can use them fresh too. They do not contain a high level of moisture.

4) Aromatic for Aromatherapy

The essential oil of juniper trees (all parts) is well known across many cultures for clearing the mind. If you are so inclined, some use juniper as an incense, a smudge stick, or in a steam lodge to ward off negative energies.

5) Natural Antiseptic

If you have a tincture ready to go, you can use this to help clean wounds. If you don't have the tincture handy, you can make a strong tea with the plant parts.

Juniper contains compounds that effectively kill certain dangerous bacterias and yeasts, including staph and candida.

6) Helps with Cellulite

Juniper may help break down the fatty areas that form as cellulite. The essential oil has been used for this for quite some time. You can find out more about how to make a cellulite oil here.

7) As a Digestive Aid

Juniper calms the stomach and helps get rid of flatulence and bloating. Drinking a little juniper-ginger tea will help out right away if you've had a heavy meal and are feeling it.

8) Diuretic

Juniper has diuretic properties and may help you eliminate extra fluids. If you've eaten too much salt (so common in our modern processed foods), having a bit of juniper tincture can help flush out the kidneys. By helping with excess water retention, you'll help get rid of the puffiness that is a common effect of too much salt.

Here is a link to my detox tea blend recipe---You can add juniper berries to it if you aren't pregnant or have kidney issues.

This is my backyard. The tree on the left is a Pinion, and the tree on the right is a Juniper. These two trees often grow in a very symbiotic relationship in what is known as a Pinion-Juniper belt. It's a very special ecosystem. — This was my backyard in the mountains of southern Nevada. The tree on the left is a Pinion, and the tree on the right is a Juniper. These two trees often grow in a very symbiotic relationship in what is known as a Pinion-Juniper belt. It's a very special ecosystem.

9) Delicious Drinks

You can make gin with juniper berries! Essentially, just infuse vodka with a few crushed berries. Strain after a day or so. You can infuse for a longer time if you want a stronger taste. If you let it go too long, you'll end up with a full-blown tincture! :-)

There is another drink called Smreka from Bosnia. It's a fermented juniper drink, and I am planning to make this! In the meantime, here is a link to a recipe you can try.

10) May Reduce Inflammation

Juniper's anti-inflammatory nature makes it an excellent tonic to take in small amounts. Used along with other anti-inflammatory allies such as turmeric/black pepper and ginger---you may just be feeling better soon---especially in the joints.

Get your FREE Herbal Remedy Guide + Cheat Sheet! This is perfect for your kitchen or home apothecary so you can make quick remedies using 10 common herbs for typical complaints! Download yours now!

Learn how to identify and harvest wild yarrow! In this video, you’ll also discover the benefits and uses of this incredible medicinal herb!

Safety Precautions for Juniper

Used in normal amounts, juniper is considered safe. However, as stated above, if you have chronic kidney issues, are on any medications, have diabetes, are pregnant or nursing, you should avoid juniper unless you get the go-ahead from your doctor.

Here is some juniper tincture I keep in the kitchen. It's super useful!

Final Thoughts on Foraging Wild Juniper and It’s Benefits and Uses

If you’re blessed to live in or near a pinyon-juniper belt ecosystem, now you know how to identify, harvest, and the benefits and uses of juniper berries. I love this plant so very much, and whenever I return to my old stomping grounds, I’m happy to go out of my way a bit to harvest this lovely medicinal herb.

If you want to learn more about foraging wild plants, here are some articles and videos you may enjoy, and please subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Video: Foraging Goldenrod: Benefits & Uses

Video: Identifying and Foraging Hawthorn Berries

Video: Foraging Yarrow, Uses and Benefits

Why Willow Bark is Nature’s Natural Aspirin (Article) Learn to identify and forage willow bark, plus a bit about the special phytochemistry of willow that makes it a MUCH better option for general aches and pains than over-the-counter drugs.

Foraging Chaparral: Benefits & Uses (Article)

Article: Survival Food: Identifying, Harvesting, and Cooking Lambsquarters

AND here’s another article with a recipe for a Juniper and Rosemary Skin Scrub——and it’s delightful!

There are literally hundreds more articles on my website at Healing Harvest Homestead, as well as videos on my YouTube channel (please subscribe!) I hope you’ll go explore and learn!

Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,

Heidi

P.S. Don’t forget to pick up your gift from me—-Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet. It’s an excellent resource for 10 common and easy to find herbs plus a handy cheat sheet of common ailments they help. It’s FREE!

Get your FREE gift from me: Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet! It’s perfect for your kitchen or home apothecary!

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor and no statement made by me in any content, video or writing or podcast, is meant to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease or illness. Please be sure to check with your medical doctor if you have health issues before using herbs and essential oils. These statements haven’t been evaluated by the FDA as herbalism is unregulated in the United States.

Resources:

http://www.naturallivingideas.com/juniper-berries/

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/06/how-to-make-your-own-gin-recipe-juniper-infusion-easy-homemade-gin.html

https://balkanlunchbox.com/fermented-juniper-berry-juice-smreka/

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-724-juniper.aspx?activeingredientid=724&activeingredientname=juniper

https://draxe.com/juniper-berries/

Disclaimer: I am NOT a doctor. The information presented here is for informational purposes, and in no manner, stated or implied, is it meant to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease or health issue. The statements herein are simply my opinion, based on experience and study. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Foraging for Juniper Berries...And What to Do With Them (You'll be Amazed at What These Little Blue-Purple Berries Can Do!)