Common name:

English: Prickly Juniper, Prickly Cedar, Sharp Cedar, Cade Juniper, Spanish Cedar, Cade.

Dutch: Stekelige jeneverbes

German: Wacholder

Castilian: Sabina de miera, cada, enebro de miera, azotacristos.

Catalan: Càdec

French: Genévrier cade

Portuguese: Cedro-de-espanha, cade, oxicedro, zimbro-bravo

Italian: Ginepro rosso

Scientific name: Juniperus oxycedrus L. The name of the species oxycedrus is formed by the words oxy= pointed + Kedros = cedar. It refers to the leaves that are similar to those of cedar and are very sharp. The generic name "Juniperus" (= rough) comes from Celtic and is due to the harsh taste of the fruit.

The main varieties of this species are: J. oxycedrus subsp. transtagana (grows in the southwest coast of Portugal and is characterized by its shorter leaves and very smooth cones; Juniperus deltoides R.P.Adams (grows in Israel, central Italy and eastern Iran. Its leaves are between 10 and 20 mm and the cones, wider at the base, show the raised edges of the scales). ; J. oxycedrus bar. badia H.Gay (grows in northern Algeria, Spain and Portugal)

Family: Cupressaceae

Characteristics: Dioecious tree up to 10 m in height. Short stems, erect, grayish brown bark. Needle-like leaves, sharp, gathered in whorls of three. Much like the common juniper from whom primarily differentiates because of the leaves drawing.

In this case the leaves show below two white bands whereas juniper leaves only show one . Galbuli red or reddish brown when ripe, which occurs in the second year after flowering, something that takes place in spring.

Habitat: It grows in Mediterranean areas, from sea level to 1000 meters high, mainly in pine , holms-oaks forests, on calcareous soils. In many places, it can be found along with common juniper (Juniperus communis) or savin juniper (Juniperus sabina)

In most cases it does not reach the size of a tree but it is just bush a little more than a few meters. It commonly l¡ves in poor, dry soils where other trees found it very difficult to adapt. ( In the photo on the right you can see the arid landscape where it grows)

PROPERTIES OF PRICKLY JUNIPER

Traditional uses

Traditionally, we can find written references of this plant in Laguna writings , when he says that, according to Dioscorides, the plant is useful to clarify the view, because " it removes the scars and the white clouds that obscure the eyes"

Later, he attributes many properties, including the treatment of ear infections and tinnitus or ringing ears : "infused with vinegar, it kills the worms that breed in the ears and resolves sounds and whistles that they feel instilled them with a decoction of hyssop. "

Followed by other properties: "Caught in the tooth breaks and removes the pain together ... If you smear the penis with it before the venereal act, makes it to breed unfit. ... With his ointment the lice and nits die suddenly... "

- Natural Medicine: Medicinally its fruits and its wood have been used to eliminate liquid retention, to increase sweat and to favor the menstruation (emmenagogue) (See "Juniper Properties" in the in the listing above)

Externally, the essential oil is used to cure skin diseases, to combat warts, lice, scabies and to calm the rheumatism attacks, by means of the external topical application of this product.

Juniper tar or cade oil is obtained as a result of pyrogenization of the wood. Pyrogenization is a form of slow combustion. (More information on cade oil in the listing above)

- Pharmaceutical Products: In pharmacy, its essential oil is used to develop drugs for urinary tract infections, gallstones or kidney stones and for the treatment of rheumatism or gout.

- Wood: Its wood, like the rest of juniper trees, is highly resistant to putrefaction and very hard. It has a bright red color and it is very aromatic. This wood has been highly valued for making furniture and other items of joinery and carpentry.

- Gardening: In gardening, like the rest of junipers it is used as frost-resistant tree for the rigors of an extreme weather, both cold and warm. This ability to survive in extreme conditions makes it ideal for the following purposes:

- Hedges

- Windscreen

- Coastal dunes

- Rocks

- Garden Trees

- Reforestation

TOXICITY OF PRICKLY JUNIPER

Due to its toxicity, the internal use of this plant is not recommended. Its capacity to irritate the renal parenchyma has been proven, and therefore it is not recommended in cases of diseases of the intestines and kidneys (nephritis, renal insufficiency, prostatitis, etc.).

Pregnant or lactating women should not take preparations of prickly juniper . In case of pregnancy, it can produce abortions by exciting uterine contractions.

Preparations of cade juniper are not suitable for young children.

Its essential oil is highly toxic when ingested in higher doses than allowed. Strong irritant to the intestines and kidneys. Excessive ingestion may result in the occurrence of diarrhea, stomach ache or kidney problems, blood or albumin in the urine (hematuria and albuminuria), hypertension and increased heart rate. This oil is considered to have narcotic properties.

In external use, essential oil should be diluted so as not to cause irritation or blisters. Even diluted, it can cause adverse reactions (dermatitis, nasal congestion, vesicles, etc.) in sensitive or allergic people . In this case, treatment should be stopped.

Due to its high toxicity, it is better to use creams, shampoos or other preparations available in pharmacies and natural stores and follow the instructions of patient's information leaflet.

Treatments of juniper should not continue for long to prevent damage by toxins accumulation. This plant contains principles that may be responsible for the development of cancerous tumors. Treatments over 4 weeks should be monitored by a doctor.

More information on juniper oil or cade oil in the listing above