Juniperus communis (Juniperus communis)

Other names: Borovička, Juniper blueberries, Chvojka

Juniperus, also known by the names Juniperus pine, Juniperus blueberries or Chvojka, is a perennial, medium-sized shrub belonging to the cypress family. It grows abundantly in light woodland, scrub, sand dunes and mountain slopes throughout Europe. The juniper is characterised by its scaly needles and distinctive, dark blue fruit, which has a specific, very strong aroma and a sweet but slightly bitter taste.

Juniper has been used in various industries since time immemorial. Its fruits have found their way into the food and spirits industries, where they are often used in the production of various types of alcohol. The strong, distinctive flavour and aroma of juniper berries is, for example, the basis of the traditional Slovak alcoholic drink - borovička. But it's not just about distilling. In the culinary world, juniper berries are used as a spice to flavour many dishes, especially wild game. Furthermore, juniper is used in cosmetics or the pharmaceutical industry. Its berries and needles contain a large amount of essential oils that have antiseptic and antibacterial properties. They are thus used in the form of extracts and tinctures to treat various skin problems, respiratory ailments, but also as part of detoxifying treatments. Juniperus also has mild laxative and diuretic effects, among other things.