Latin name: Juniperus communis L.
Botanical family: Cupressaceae
Growth habit: Tree
Vernacular name(s): juniper (Eng.)
genévrier commun, genièvre (Fr.)
kawins (Chippewa, kahkakew-mina, kahkakewatik, ahasem)
datsánjíé (Chipewyan)
tuna'liguk' (malecite)
ga'gawan'dagisid (Ojibwa)
kâkâtshiminânakashî (Montagnais)
deetrèe jàk (Dene)
Uses:
Steeped with Prince's pine and taken in consumption [Malecite: 65].
Above-ground parts :Tea used for cold or stomach ache [Dene 100].
Fruits :Inner bark and juice of berries used to treat ulcers [Mi'kmaq 60]. Stewed and strained and the liquid given for cold, bladder problems, and as a diuretic [Mi'kmaq 43]. Boiled and taken for chest pains, bad colds, coughs and congestion [Dene 99]. Used to treat diabetes related symptoms [Cree 82]. Tea drunk to ease back pain [Dene 101].
Roots :Decoction used in calculus, cystitis and Bright's disease [Mi'kmaq 43]. Boiled with other plants to make a decoction drunk to treat menstrual cramps [Dene 13]. Used to treat diabetes [Cree 82].
Leaves :Dried, powdered and dusted on psoriasis and eczema [Mi'kmaq 43]. Used to treat diabetes [Cree 82].
Bark :Boiled until a jelly forms, used to treat boils [Algonquin 75]. Mixed with another plant and soaked in warm water but not boiled, then the infusion can be drunk lukewarm to treat aches and pain [Cree 13].
Inner bark :Used in diabetes [Cree 77]. Softened in water and used as a poultice on wounds [Metis 13; Cree 42].
Twigs/stem :Tea given to ease bladder pain [Montagnais 71]. Steeped and used in hair wash or taken as a tonic [Malecite 65]. Stem debarked and used to make a tea to treat diarrhoea [Metis 13]. Decoction of a barked procumbent stem or branch used to treat diarrhoea and sore chest. Mixed with other plants to make decoctions to treat "women troubles", teething pain, sickness after childbirth, fever, and cough [Cree 95].
Twigs and leaves :Boiled to make a drink for asthma [Chippewa 85]. Used to treat diabetes [Cree 82]. Boiled and steamed to hasten release of the placenta [Dene 101].
Cones :Green cones boiled to make a diuretic remedy for kidney trouble. Can be smoked in a pipe to treat asthma [Metis 13]. Berry-like cones eaten as a cure-all medicine [Chipewyan 92].
Gum :Applied to wounds. Mixed with brandy and skunk cabbage and taken in tuberculosis. Applied to sprains, and to relieve soreness and pain [Mi'kmaq 43].