THE JUNIPER

JUNIPER

Let's discover the botanicals present in our products.

Let's start with Juniper, a plant with antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, and anti-rheumatic properties, obviously present in GIN43, GIN7 Acacia Barrel, and GIN7 Chamomile.

The fragrant juniper berries give gin its characteristic flavor.

Juniper as a medicinal plant

JUNIPER is officially a medicinal plant, pursuant to and for the purposes of the provisions set forth in Articles 1 and 9 of Law no. 99 of January 6, 1931, specifically referring to the herbal drug obtained from it.

The term "drug" refers to that part or organ of the plant, suitably dried and preserved, in which the content of active ingredients is highest.

Herbal drugs can be whole, fragmented, or cut plants in an untreated state, usually dried, and used as medicines.

Juniper in history

The juniper berry has a very ancient history, and its balsamic and diuretic action has been known since

the time of the Egyptians.

The Celts considered it protective in many ways, also useful against thefts and spells, and it was a fundamental ingredient for love potions.

The Roman senator Cato wrote that medicated wine was made from juniper berries: a distillate from ripe fruits that had the advantage of being a good diuretic and, at the same time, an effective medicine for healing sciatica.

According to Pliny, bees that feed on juniper resin produce honey with a unique and particular flavor.

What is juniper like?

Juniper is a genus of plants in the cypress family (Cupressaceae); it is a small bushy tree that grows both in plains and mountains. It has needle-like leaves, green flowers, and the fruits are berries that turn a blackish-purple color when ripe. The taste of juniper berries is initially sweet, then becomes bitter and acrid.

Juniper principles

The juniper plant is rich in aromatic oils in its berries, roots, and leaves.

When ripe, the berries contain an essential oil that has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. To combat bad breath, an ancient recipe recommends chewing a juniper berry three times a day.

How to use juniper: infusions and liqueurs

Juniper can be used as a diuretic by making an infusion with 4-5g of berries in 300g of boiling water.

With juniper berries, you can make a liqueur, excellent as a digestive. Here is Fred's special recipe for making Juniper Liqueur:

• 150g of berries macerated in 1L of 60% vol alcohol for 10 days;
• 8g of anise seeds
• 4g of cinnamon
• 800g of simple sugar syrup.

In aromatherapy, juniper is considered a purifier of both the physical and energetic body. It cleanses accumulated negative vibrations, opens the mind by removing confusion, and gives strength.

Be careful of intoxication if essential juniper oil is used excessively and for long periods.

Gin43 contains 43 botanicals, one of which is, of course, juniper! You've tried it, haven't you? Buy it in our shop!