Juniper

Widespread evergreen conifer in the northern hemisphere with shrub or tree-like growth habit. The genus juniper belongs to the cypress family and comprises around 60 species worldwide. In North America there are juniper species (called cedars there) that reach a size of up to 40 m. The pungent, grey-green junipers are very tall. The piercing, grey-green needles of the juniper are 1 to 2 cm long. The resin-free wood is tough, soft, elastic and durable.
The heath juniper, Juniperus communis, develops berry-shaped cones, 0.3 to 2 centimetres in size, also known as berries. These "berries" take 1-2 years to ripen and then take on a deep blue color.

The sade tree (J. sabina) is conspicuous for its unpleasant smelling needles, which is why it is also called stink juniper.

The mature berry cones (juniper berries - Juniperi pseudofructus) and the essential oil contained in them (juniper oil - Juniperi aetheroleum) are used phytotherapeutically.

Juniper wood, which used to be popularly used, is obsolete today. s.a. Pix juniperi

Juniperus communis is the parent plant of Juniperi fructus (pseudofructus) the official extract of juniper berries (Commission E monograph).
Alcoholic beverages. Juniper berries are an important raw material in the production of juniper brandy or gin or jenever.
Spice: Dried juniper berries are used in the preparation of sauerkraut, also in meat preparations.

Cosmetics: Extracts of Juniperus cmmunis are used in cosmetic formulations:

• Juniperus communis oil - the extract from the berries of the plant
• Juniperus communis extract - the extract from the needles and wood of the plant

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/wacholder.php

2. Wenigmann M.(2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs phytopharmaceuticals application. Urban & Fischer: 5.115 Tormentillae rhizoma p 208-209.