Juniper Shrub.
Juniperus.
A common shrub on our heaths. It grows to no great height in England, but in some other parts of Europe rises to a considerably large tree. The bark is of a reddish brown. The branches are tough. The leaves are longish, very narrow, and prickly at the ends. The flowers are of a yellowish colour, but small and inconsiderable. The berries are large, and when ripe blackish: they are of a strong, but not disagreeable smell, and of a sweetish, but resinous taste. The leaves are of a faint bluish green colour.
The berries are the part most used. We have them from Germany principally. They have two excellent qualities, they dispel wind, and work by urine, for which reason, they are excellent in those colics which arise from the gravel and stone. With these is also made the true Geneva, but the liquor our poor people drink under that name, is only malt spirits and oil of turpentine.
