Juniper
The plant also known as royal juniper, grojo, zimbro or simply gin, is native to the European continent, but it is possible to find it in the mountainous areas of the Northern Hemisphere in both Asia and North America.
In some cases junipers have been found in the Pyrenees over 2,500 m high.
Its distribution has become famous for being its fruit a primary tool of former alchemists and herbalists to treat different ailments, and today for being the primary ingredient of the alcoholic beverage known as gin.
This perennial, leafy and dioecious shrubby plant reaches 5 m high, its leaves are verticillated, linear, arranged in groups of three in three and are bright green, with a whitish line through the bird.
It has both male and female flowers, the latter being tripartite, while its fruit, called nebrina, is a false, fleshy, aromatic berry, which takes three years to ripen and in its youth is green, but then darkens until it takes  a bluish black color.
Its taste is bittersweet.
Gout and rheumatism:
In the form of liniments, both the bark and the nebrines are used as a complement in treatments against rheumatism and gout, this due to its qualities as a cleanser.
The decoction of the mists added to the bath water is relaxing and tonic.
At the digestive level:
Because it is the fruit of juniper with a bittersweet taste, it is recommended as a stimulant and digestive tonic.
Other uses:
The fruits of juniper have antiseptic and diuretic qualities, which is why it is recommended in genitourinary disorders, while externally they can be used for joint pain or neuralgia.
Contraindications
Due to certain toxic components, it is prudent to avoid its use in children, pregnant women or with cystitis problems.