Family: Cypressaceae (Cupressaceae). \ Prickly juniper
Synonym: Juniper.
Description: A large evergreen shrub up to 4 meters high with long dark green needles and brown-black berries the size of nuts.
Spreading: Grows in Southern France. Currently distributed in Europe and North Africa. Tar is produced mainly in Spain and Yugoslavia.
Other types: There are many species of juniper that differ from Juniperus spinosa, notably J. communis, J. virginiana and J. smreka.
Action: Analgesic, antimicrobial, antipruritic, antiseptic, disinfectant, healing.
Extraction: The oil or tar is obtained by destructive distillation from branches and wood. Rectified oil is obtained from tar by vacuum or steam distillation. The oil is also sometimes extracted from the berries using steam distillation.
Characteristic: An orange-brown oily liquid with the aroma of wood, smoke and leather. Mixes well with caraway, oregano, clove, cassia, tea tree, and pine oils.
Security measures: Non-toxic and non-irritating. Use with caution, especially when treating inflammatory or allergic skin diseases. It is preferable to use resin, as it is less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Aromatherapy: At home, it is recommended for dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, pigmentation, etc.
Other uses: Widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent for chemical drugs, for the preparation of creams, and also in veterinary medicine. Rectified oil in cosmetics and perfumery serves as a fragrance for lotions, creams and perfumes. \ Prickly juniper
- Brand: AROMASHKA
- Article: 1191
- Latin name: Juniperus oxycedrus
- Retrieved from: wood
- Origin: France
- Method of obtaining: steam distillation
Juniper prickly- a shrub, with an average height of about 4 m, with unusually fragrant wood. Distributed throughout the Mediterranean.
Do not confuse prickly juniper and (which is also presented in the Aromashka assortment). Oils are obtained from different botanical species, and, moreover, oils from different parts of the same plant have different compositions from each other. From prickly juniper it is possible to obtain oil from the berries, which is inferior in quality to oil from the berries of the common juniper, for this reason it is not used on an industrial scale, and oil from the leaves, which is closer in composition to other representatives of the Cypress family.
The oil offered by Aromashka is obtained from prickly juniper wood.
It has a characteristic, woody aroma.
Wood oil has its own unique composition, which determines its properties. It should also be noted that oil from wood can be obtained in two ways: dry distillation (similar to the processing of birch bark), in which case tar is obtained, which can also be called “oil,” and steam distillation, the result of which is pure essential oil . The composition and appearance of these oils will differ. Tar is dark in color, while distilled oil is light and clear. Phenols (17 - 26%) are found in the tar, which are not found in distilled oil.
Main Components juniper essential oil.
Sesquiterpenes: delta - cadinene 24%, caryophyllene + elementene 7.8%, alpha - humulene + beta - cadinene 11.1%, beta - selinene 1%, alpha - selinene 0.6%, alpha - muurolene 2%, alpha - cadinene 8.9%, trans - calamenene 5.3%, alpha - calacorene 2.1%.
Sesquiterpene alcohols: gleenol 2.2%, alpha-muurolol 4.9%, 1-epi-cubenol 8.3%, cedrol 0.4%, epi-alpha-muurolol 1.4%.
Monoterpenes: alpha - pinene 0.2%, alpha - cubenene 0.3%, alpha - copaiene 0.7%, alpha - cedrene 0.2%.
Applications and properties of juniper prickly essential oil
In cosmetology, the oil is used for both skin and hair.
Included in formulations for protection from sun and wind.
Essential oil of juniper prickly has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. Juniper inhibits the proliferation of bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylocoques blancs. The oil is well suited for skin with rashes, acne, sensitive and allergic skin.
Juniper oil, and especially its sesquiterpene alcohols, regulate the proliferation of keratinocytes and the renewal of the epidermis. These processes are disrupted for psoriasis and ichthyosis, That's why It is advisable to include juniper oil in skin care compositions with these problems.
Also used for seborrheic dermatitis and scabies.
Juniper prickly oil is a good choice for hair. Juniper strengthens hair, gives it shine, relieves itching, and helps get rid of dandruff. It is recommended to include in masks, lotion and shampoo (at a concentration of 0.25 - 0.5%). It is preferable to leave masks or lotions on the skin for a long time for best effect.
Juniper prickly oil strengthens nails well.
Combines with immortelle, vetiver, cloves, geranium, cedar, cypress, lavender, common juniper, mint, spikenard, palmarosa, rosewood, pine, tea tree, sage, clary sage.
Contraindications
Do not use for pregnant women (in the first trimester) and small children.
Do not use if you have epilepsy.
Do not use internally.
Draw your attention to, that all tips, recommendations and recipes on our website can ONLY be applied to oils from our range. The component composition of each Aromashka essential oil has been tested by us with the help of the French Laboratory Rosier Davenne and meets the highest international standards and requirements.
Specialists with the appropriate knowledge can always check the compliance of each component of essential oils with the required standards using chromatographic analysis data (chromatogram).
Chromatograms are available at all Aromashka offices and representative offices upon prior request. Documents are not sent by mail.
We are not responsible for oils from other companies and will not be able to answer you if difficulties arise.
All information provided on the site is for reference only and should not be considered a treatment guide or call to action. For any health problems or diseases, you should consult a doctor and perceive aromatherapy as additional help for the body. In this case, consultation with an aromatherapist is mandatory.
The French word genievre has two meanings – juniper and a strong drink of the same name. The coniferous evergreen shrub of the cypress family has long been firmly “rooted” in many household plots. The Turkic name for tree-like junipers is juniper, and in common people it is called veres. Habitats are mainly associated with mountain systems. The Mediterranean, southern North America, Central Asia and Crimea are characterized by juniper groves, which form trees 10-15 m high.
The plant is light-loving, drought-resistant and not demanding on the soil, so sometimes juniper trees can be found in the most unexpected places:
Types and varieties of junipers
The juniper genus has about 70 species, however, only 12 species grow in natural conditions on Eurasian territory. Among them are:
Common juniper
Distributed both in mountainous areas and in wetlands. Its wide habitat makes it unpretentious and frost-resistant. Depending on climatic conditions, the tree can reach a height of 10-12 m, or be a shrub up to 1 m tall.
Popular varieties:
Photo | Description |
| Hibernica- a pyramidal tree with a narrow or columnar crown shape. Reaches a height of 4 m. A plant variety with variegated leaves is Hibernica Variegata. |
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| Suesika- differs from Hibernica in its wider crown diameter (up to 1.5 m) and slightly hanging branches. Grows up to 8 m. |
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| Sentinel– a plant up to 2 m high has a slender silhouette. The compact tree can withstand frosts down to -40 about S. |
Other compact varieties:
The Schneverdinger Goldmachangel variety is distinguished by the amber color of its young shoots, which stand out against the background of last year's branches. The plant is fast growing - annual growth is from 10 to 15 cm.
Weeping varieties of juniper (Candelabriformis, Horstmann, Mayer), the branches of which resemble the jets of an exotic fountain, will become a magnificent decoration of any body of water:
Spreading dwarf varieties (Green Carpet, Gold beach, Hornibrookii, Depressa, Repanda, Gold Coin, Golden Juniper) that grow up to half a meter and have a bluish-green or golden color are suitable for rock gardens.
Juniper Cossack
Habitat: rocky mountain slopes and sand dunes. It is a creeping shrub up to 1.5 m high. Due to its toxic properties, it is used with caution in areas where farm animals are raised. Although the thick resinous smell repels pets, goats and sheep can feast on the young shoots in early spring.
A characteristic feature is red-brown peeling bark and a sharp pine smell that appears when the shoots and scales are rubbed. The highest concentration of essential oils (5-7%) is contained in false Cossack juniper, whose natural habitat is in Siberia. As an external remedy, the extract of this plant is effective for various skin diseases.
Under natural conditions it grows in small groups in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories on rocks. Creeping shrub, the main trunk of which is underground. The branches rise to a height of up to 0.5 m. A slow-growing plant with long shoots (2-3 m) that can take root independently, forming a coniferous cushion.
Inhabitant of the Crimea and the Caucasus - a tall (10-15 m) tree with a spreading crown of a bluish tint. It grows on the sunny side of slopes at the foot of the mountains, prefers soil rich in calcium. The reddish wood with a pleasant smell is used for crafts and construction. It is used in decorative landscaping due to its drought-resistant properties.
Juniper virginiana
One of the most popular types in landscaping. In its homeland, North America, it is called “pencil tree” because its hard wood is used in the production of pencils. It grows up to 30 m, having a cone-shaped, pointed crown. In gardening and park farming it is used to create hedges and decorate large areas. Withstands haircuts very well.
Decorative hybrid varieties grow up to 5-15 m. Popular varieties:
Permanent resident of the Mediterranean, Transcaucasia and the Crimean Peninsula. It grows at an altitude of 300-400 m above sea level. Drought-resistant, slow-growing plant. This species is thermophilic, therefore it is used in the southern regions, mainly for planting hedges. It has small prickly needles and bright cone-berries from greenish to crimson-crimson.
A difficult to grow, fastidious variety. Under natural conditions, it is widespread in the coastal regions of Japan and Sakhalin. In the European zone it is grown as a collection plant. It is a ground cover creeping shrub with long needles (10-15 mm). Narrow thin needles, pointed at the end, form a thick light green carpet. Although the plant is undemanding to soil and can grow in salt marshes, it does not tolerate transplantation. In winter it requires shelter. It is used for alpine slides and is the pride of the owner.
Exotic species of juniper
Recently, certain types of juniper that do not grow on our territory have been used in landscaping garden areas. However, their decorative features attracted the attention of designers, and many species were adapted for cultivation. The most popular are:
Rock juniper
Its karyotype is close to that of Virginia. Exported from Mexico, where it grows on rocky soils at medium altitudes (1200-1700 m above sea level). The main advantages are:
Flaws:
It amazes with the variety of crown geometry - from narrow-conical, columnar or wide-pyramidal to creeping ground cover. Trees grow up to 20-25 m. It tolerates frosts down to -30 o C, but is demanding of high air humidity and fertile soil. It is a slow-growing species, so it is often used for growing bonsai.
A low (10-30 cm) shrub with shoots of medium length (up to 1.8 m) and large cone berries (up to 6 mm in diameter). Certain varieties, such as Lime Glow, Andorra Compacta, Andorra Variegata, are valued for the extraordinary color of their needles:
Fans of holidays in Crimea know where and how to spend their holidays. Many people prefer to relax in the very center of resort life - Yalta, Sudak, Alushta, Evpatoria. All kinds of summer entertainment are concentrated in these famous resort towns, but their main drawback is the extremely large percentage of people per square centimeter of beach. It is for this reason that small resort villages on the coast of the peninsula are becoming increasingly popular, actively developing tourism infrastructure. Among such villages there is Mezhvodnoye, which has already managed to win mass love among vacationers. Some people are embarrassed by holidays in remote villages due to the misconception that there is not much variety for cultural and educational pastimes. However, the territory of the entire Crimea is relatively small, so bus excursions throughout the peninsula are available for holidaymakers vacationing in any place. In Mezhvodnoye you will not have any difficulty finding representatives of tour operators who will offer excursion trips to any attraction in Crimea. 
Excursions to the southern coast of Crimea, to the Nikitsky Botanical Garden are in great demand. This is a unique attraction of the peninsula; a knowledgeable guide will tell you about amazing plants and the history of their appearance in Crimea. Unfortunately, some people allow themselves to engage in excursion activities without studying reliable information, and as a result, many myths and fairy tales appear. Thus, the famous Crimean juniper, one of the symbols of Crimea, is today covered in a variety of legends that have little to do with reality. In total, there are about 70 species of juniper in the world, all of them belong to the cypress family. Juniper does not bloom - the plant belongs to the gymnosperm class, so the term “blooming” can only be used in a figurative sense. On one plant (if it is a monoecious plant, among the juniper species there are also dioecious ones), female and male reproductive organs - cones - are simultaneously formed. Male cones are the part of the plant where pollen matures, while seeds are formed in female cones. The peculiarity of juniper cones is that after the seeds ripen, the scales of the cones do not separate, like other cones, but remain fused, which is why they are called “cone berries.” 
Of all the existing species of juniper, only five of them grow in Crimea. Today anyone can buy horizontal juniper at Greensad; it is the largest online store of plants and garden products. The most famous Crimean juniper is juniper tall.
Plants of this species can reach a height of 10 meters and have a spreading crown. Young trees have a regular cone-shaped crown. The color of juniper needles is tall, delicate blue-green, the needles themselves are scale-like and soft. Male cones at the ends of young shoots appear in early spring - in March-April. They quickly acquire a yellow color, which is caused by mature pollen. Once the buds open, the entire tree is enveloped in a golden cloud of pollen. In addition, the landscape with juniper also becomes unique in its beauty at the end of summer - beginning of autumn. During this period, the attention of tourists is attracted by the cone berries, which are covered with a bluish coating and gradually become a deep dark blue color. High juniper is known to many for its ability to release volatile substances into the environment that inhibit the growth and development of bacteria. This type of juniper was included in the Red Book of Ukraine. Tall juniper can be found as a natural plant species on the coasts of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. In Crimea, it grows on the southern slopes of the Main Ridge. Juniper is prized for its resinous, hard, reddish wood, which is often used for crafts. The needles contain up to 0.38% essential oil, the seeds - up to 1.2%. 
Tall juniper often grows in company with juniper prickly. This type of plant is a shrub or low tree with a needle-like shape. The prickly juniper is also popularly known as “red juniper.” The name “spiny” is associated with the appearance and shape of the needles - needle-shaped, prickly needles, and the name “red” appeared due to the pinkish tint of the wood and brick-red cones.
This juniper is a dioecious plant, meaning female and male cones are formed on different plants. Cone berries are valued in medicine, but their collection is quite difficult due to the thorny needles. Prickly juniper is found naturally in western Asia, the Caucasus, southwestern Russia, southeastern and southwestern Europe, and northern Africa. In Crimea it grows on the slopes of the Main Ridge and in the foothills. Such a wide habitat causes differences in the appearance of plants. It also still gives scientists new tasks to describe new subspecies and forms of prickly juniper. In 2004, a plant growing in Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus, east of Italy and Crimea was identified as a separate subspecies - deltoid juniper. R.P. Adams conducted DNA analysis and analysis of essential oils for his discovery, but this type of juniper has not yet been officially recognized. Tall juniper and prickly juniper are two types of plants that are most famous in Crimea. Residents and guests of the peninsula know much less about stinking juniper. In appearance it is similar to tall juniper, it has soft needles and dark blue cones. In its natural environment it is found on the northern slopes of the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains, at an altitude of 700-950 meters above sea level. The destruction of tall juniper thickets has led to the fact that today it grows only in the central basin of the Crimean Nature Reserve, and until the beginning of the 20th century it was found in the Grand Canyon of Crimea, the Baydar Valley, on the Syuyuryukaya rock, and the slopes of the Boykinsky mountain range. Fans of the flora of Crimea climb the slopes of the Inzhir-Syrt and Sinab-Dag ridges and the Chuchel and Chernaya mountains to see trees 8-10 meters high, aged from 220 to 420 years. The stinking juniper is included in the Red Book of Ukraine with the mark “rare”.
And only on the very edges of the yailas and on the yailas themselves of the Crimean Mountains, two more types of juniper grow - Cossack and ordinary, hemispherical. Cossack juniper is one of the most common coniferous plants, found in the Crimea, the Carpathians, southern and central Europe, North America, the Caucasus, the Southern Urals, Altai, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and other regions of the world. This type of juniper has 28 decorative forms, which are successfully used in ornamental gardening. In appearance, Cossack juniper is a creeping shrub, up to 1-1.5 meters high. It grows not upward, but to the sides, quickly forming dense thickets. A special feature of this type of juniper is the characteristic pungent smell of pine needles when rubbed. Essential oil extracted from Cossack juniper is used exclusively externally in medicine, since one of its components is poisonous.
Common juniper is found next to the Cossack juniper. In Crimea, it was first described in 1857 by H.H. Steven, the first director of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden.
Juniper forests are very rare. Despite the fact that the plant is a long-liver and its lifespan can be counted for centuries, it is not able to resist cutting down by humans. Another good thing is that the plant has found a second wind, its splendor and health-improving effects were appreciated by amateur gardeners, city dwellers, and landscaping specialists.
Medium (J. x media)
Only male specimens are known; the shoots of the plant are arched and drooping at the ends. At first the crown is widely spreading, then it becomes almost vertical. Needles are characterized by the presence of two types: scaly and needle-shaped. The known largest mature bushes grew up to 3 m in height and over 5 m in width.
Frost-resistant and well-growing shrub decorates small gardens.
Scaly meyeri (J. squamata "Meyeri")
Low-growing scaly junipers grow up to one and a half meters in height. The needles have a bluish tint. Juniper squamata "Meyeri" is often used in landscape design due to its silvery-bluish hanging tips of shoots that appear in May-June.
Common Horstmann (J. communis Horstmann)
Hanging branches and a spreading crown give the Horstmann juniper a “weeping” shape. An adult specimen can reach 3 m in height, while the crown diameter is almost the same size. The plant is light-loving, undemanding, and resistant to cold. The needles are needle-shaped, light green in color. The growth per year is approximately 15 cm. Unlike others, this green creature can be planted in the garden in the most visible place.
Juniper Daurian
Homeland - Far East. It is still quite a rare guest on private plots and nurseries. This is a creeping, light-loving shrub, up to 0.5 meters high, with delicate blue-green needles. As it grows, it transforms from a compact form into a creeping crown, covering 3-5 m of area. The bush is frost-resistant and tolerates drought well. Dahurian juniper is excellent for rock gardens and retaining walls.
Features of juniper
- Fruits that ripen in two seasons: in the first year of life they are green, and in the second year the color changes to black with a blue tint;
- The plant is used to prepare medicinal infusions because it contains many healing substances.
Many species, varieties and forms of juniper grow in the gardens of central Russia. Almost all plants grow well in any loose soil.
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