Juniper Berries are a potent ally, especially this time of the year when it starts getting cold and damp out. A handful of Junipers add warmth and vigour to your soup base. Delight in a mulled spice recipe or simply stash some in your pocket when you are out for a winter’s walk. They keep you warm by stimulating your circulation and by reducing uric acid. They also relieve muscle aches and pains. Those with rheumatoid arthritis will benefit with this remedy. My first herbal teacher, Peter Laker, gave us this English remedy to promote and restore kidney health: Take 1 juniper on day 1, 2 Junipers on day 2, 3 Junipers day 4 and so on, up until day 15. Then reverse to go back to 1 juniper berry at on 30. By day 10, I am ready to return. You shall see for yourself. The juniper berry also suits those with digestive woes by stimulating and warming the middle and increasing your metabolism to reduce fullness and feelings of indigestion. Juniper berries also help to remove fluid congestion and reduce edema, says Peter Holmes in his monograph. Junipers can dissolve deposits of any kind. If you are feeling tired and cold and have a stiff lower back and joint pain, I highly recommend this easy remedy. As Junipers are high in volatile oils and quite warming, be mindful when taking them. These little gems may heat things up too much. Available in the Dharani Dispensary.