“On the sideboard there always stood before breakfast a bottle of whisky, smuggled, of course, with plenty of camomile flowers, bitter orange-peel, and juniper berries in it – “bitters” we called it – and of this he (Sir Hector Mackenzie) had a wee glass always before we sat down to breakfast, as a fine stomachic.”
Osgood Mackenzie, A Hundred Years in the Highlands, 1921
Juniper or Juniperus communis is also called common juniper. It’s called aiteal in Gaeilge and aiteann in Scots Gaelic. The name juniper or juniperus is somewhat mysterious in nature and the origin is unclear although communis simply refers to it being common. There is some loose speculation, it derived from the Celtic word jeneprus, which means rough or rude although this word is not in well known use.1 There are between 50 and 67 species of juniper that are native to throughout the Northern hemisphere. The juniper is relatively prickly to handle and generally harvested with care. There’s no other plant I’ve read about thus far, particularly a tree or bush that was relied on as heavily for smoke cleansing purposes and as many times throughout the year. Overall, I find juniper to be wonderful for this purpose and additionally the berries are exquisite sources of sustenance, vitality and protection as well.
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Isla Skye
Isla Skye is an American Celtic scholar, teacher, author and herbalist that splits her time between the States and Ireland. She has studied the druids and related practices for over 20 years. She is a published author of children’s books as well as other folkloric literature and is currently working through an M.A. in Celtic Studies. Her hobbies are family time, camping, hiking, reading, writing and research.
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