In the natural environment, common juniper (Juniperus communis), whose berries are used in medicine and cooking, is found in the northern hemisphere. It can be found in the Urals, in Siberia and the Crimea. It often grows on mountain slopes, forest edges, ravines, preferring open places with a good environmental situation. This article will tell you about when it is possible to collect juniper berries of juniper, about their harvesting and storage.
When Juniper Berries Ripen
Pine cones ripen only in the 2nd-3rd year after pollination and setting. This occurs in late August or early September. Young fruits first have a greenish color, and when they begin to ripen, they acquire a dark bluish, almost black color. This coniferous plant gives the largest number of pine cones once every 3-4 years.
Coniferous juniper berries have a sweetish-spicy taste and are popular in cooking. They are added to spices for fatty meat, cabbage, drinks and confectionery. They also make alcoholic drinks with these berries - juniper vodka, gin and even brew beer.
When the fruits of juniper are harvested
Cones begin to harvest from the first of Septemberwhen the berries are fully ripe and contain the largest amount of nutrients, and collect until the end of October. As mentioned above, ripe cones have a dark color.
Before the cathedral of these medicinal fruits, you should completely make sure that this is indeed a juniper bush of a species that is acceptable for medical use, since a mistake can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, the collection should be made in those places where this plant crop really grows.
Berries can be picked not only from common juniper, but also from prickly juniper (red). In the latter species, ripened berries have a red-brown color and can be used in medicine, as they have diuretic properties.
But it is better not to pick berries from the Cossack juniper, since they contain the toxic substance sabinol. This evergreen shrub with dark cones is similar to the species allowed for harvest. It can be confused with an ordinary look.
Video: Are Juniper Berries Edible?
What cones to collect from juniper
Common juniper can be a monoecious or dioecious plant of the Cypress family. The male cones (microstrobils) occupy a somewhat sedentary position on the branches and have a yellow-green color. Female cones are scientifically called cones.
They have an egg-shaped or roundish shape, and in cross section reach 6–9 mm. Young cones have a green color, but darken as they ripen and become dark blue with a gray waxy coating. They contain 3–6 flakes and sit on short legs.
Important! Juniper contains toxic substances, so it should be used only at the recommended doses.
Such a cone contains 1-3 seeds, which have an ovoid or conical shape and yellow-brown color. Pine cones contain many useful substances: organic acids, resins, essential oils, manganese, iron, copper, aluminum. Due to this, they are used in folk medicine.
1 - a branch with female cones; 2 - a branch with male cones; 3 - male cone; 4 - a young female cone; 5 - ripe bump ("berry").
How to harvest juniper
When picking berries from prickly varieties of juniper bushes, protect your hands with gloves. Berries can be removed from the bush individually, but it is better to act differently. Spread dense paper or a piece of fabric under the bush, and then peel the branches - well-ripened cones will sprinkle themselves, and green ones will remain on the branches. Cones must be collected, sorted and cleaned of garbage.
Did you know? In medicine, juniper cones are popular as a diuretic, expectorant and disinfectant. They also have beneficial effects on digestion and are used for diarrhea and flatulence. From these fruits make useful tinctures and decoctions, essential oil.
How to dry
When drying pine cones, heat treatment (drying in the oven) and damage to the berries should be avoided. This reduces the value of healing raw materials. Fruits must first be sorted out, removing debris and green berries. Then the raw materials must be decomposed in one layer and dried naturally in the shade under a canopy. If the weather is rainy, dry it in a dry, ventilated area. Periodic berries are turned over so that they dry evenly.
Proper storage
Dried fruits are laid out in cardboard boxes or cloth bags. They can be stored in dry and clean glass jars and tightly closed with a lid. Packed raw materials are cleaned in a dark, dry room without elevated temperatures. With proper storage, juniper cones are suitable for use up to 3 years.
Juniper fruits are harvested in the fall. At the same time collect cones, which are fully ripe and have a dark blue color. When collecting it is important not to confuse the species of this genus of plant, since some of them are poisonous. Drying should only be done naturally.
