Juniper Berries

(Juniperus communis)

Juniper is one of the most widely distributed woody plants on Earth — a hardy, aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree of the cypress family (Cupressaceae) found across the entire Northern Hemisphere from the Arctic to the subtropics, from North America to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Juniperus communis produces small, fleshy, bluish-purple seed cones — botanically not true berries, but universally called juniper berries — that ripen over two to three years and carry an intensely resinous, piney, spicy aroma unlike any other botanical in the kitchen or the apothecary.

Juniper’s most famous role in human culture is as the defining botanical of gin — a story that begins in 16th-century Holland, where a Dutch pharmacist distilled grain spirit with juniper berries to create a tonic he called genever, the Dutch word for juniper. The drink spread to England with British soldiers returning from the Thirty Years’ War, was anglicized to “gin,” and the rest is cocktail history. Long before gin, however, juniper had a rich place in European folk tradition: in the Middle Ages, the smoke of burning juniper branches was believed to ward off plague and evil spirits, and tradition holds that the Holy Family rested beneath a juniper tree while fleeing to Egypt. In North America, numerous Indigenous nations used juniper in their traditional practices and as a survival food. In Scandinavia and northern Europe, juniper berries remain a prized culinary spice for game meats, sauerkraut, and charcuterie to this day.

The berries contain a rich array of phytochemicals including volatile oils (alpha- and beta-pinene, myrcene, sabinene, terpinene, camphene, cineole, limonene, linalool, borneol), flavonoids (rutin, catechin), tannins, resin, beta-carotene, betulin, glycolic acid, B-vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals (calcium, chromium, iron). Our Juniper Berries are available Whole and as a Powder.

⚠️ Important: Juniper berry should not be used by pregnant women, as it may stimulate uterine contractions. Not recommended for use with severe kidney disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use.

Product Highlights

• Whole and powdered seed cones of Juniperus communis — Juniper Berries
• The defining botanical of gin — used in distilling since 16th-century Holland
• Rich in alpha/beta-pinene, myrcene, rutin, tannins, beta-carotene, and vitamin C
• A prized culinary spice in Scandinavian and northern European cuisine
• One of the most widely distributed plants in the Northern Hemisphere
• Available in Whole and Powder forms
• No additives, fillers, or artificial ingredients

How to Use

Culinary: Juniper berries are a classic spice for game meats — crush a few whole berries and add to marinades, braises, or rubs for venison, boar, duck, or lamb. A traditional ingredient in sauerkraut, charcuterie, pâtés, and Scandinavian gravlax. Gin & Cocktails: Use whole or crushed berries to infuse spirits for homemade gin or botanical cocktails. Herbal Tea / Decoction: Lightly crush 1 teaspoon of whole berries and simmer in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes; strain before use. The flavor is piney, resinous, and spicy. Tincture: Use in alcohol-based tincture preparations. Aromatic: Whole berries have a long tradition of use in aromatic preparations, sachets, and smudging.

Available in Whole (4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz) and Powder (4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz).

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Not recommended for use with severe kidney disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use, especially if you are taking medications or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.