Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked. A thin, sweetish resinous flesh, the cones are about 7 - 10mm in diameter and have a thin skin[82, 229].

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Abortifacient  Analgesic  Anthelmintic  Antirheumatic  Antiseptic  Aromatherapy  Cancer  Diaphoretic  
Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Febrifuge  Rubefacient

The leaves are analgesic, antirheumatic, diuretic and febrifuge[257]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of fevers, stiff neck, backache, headaches, low fever, coughs, colds and diarrhoea[257]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as a body rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The following reports are for the closely related J. virginiana, they probably also apply to this species. The leaves are anthelmintic, diuretic, rubefacient and stimulant[4, 257]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds, general weakness and as a medicine for convalescents[257]. The berries are anthelmintic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue and mildly antiseptic[4, 213, 222, 257]. They have been chewed as a treatment for mouth ulcers[213, 257] or made into a tea to treat colds, rheumatism, worms etc[222, 257]. The fresh young twigs are used as a diuretic[213]. An infusion has been used both internally and as a steam bath in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The essential oil from the wood is an abortifacient, in some cases it has caused vomiting, convulsions, coma and death[4, 213]. The plant is said to contain the anticancer compound podophyllotoxin[222]. The essential oil from the berries is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Composing'[210].

Essential  Incense  Insecticide  Repellent  Shelterbelt  Wood

Wood - straight-grained, very durable, light, brittle, soft, easily worked, very fragrant, insect-resistant[229]. The wood does not shrink much on drying and weighs 30lb per cubic foot[227]. The reddish wood is highly prized for cabinet making[226], it is also used for fencing, the casing of lead pencils etc[229]. This tree has been over-exploited and large trees suitable for commercial exploitation are now rare[229]. The following reports are for the closely related J. virginiana, they probably also apply to this species. An essential oil is obtained from the wood[1, 46, 57, 61]. Composed of cedar camphor or cedrol[213], it is used in soaps, as an insecticide and moth repellent[61, 213], a deodorant, in polishes, perfumery etc[4, 21]. The leaves are used as an incense[46, 213] and are also either burnt or crushed and then scattered around as an insect repellent[169, 257]. The crushed bark can be used as a soft base in cradles[257]. The bark has also been used to make mats[257]. Some cultivars of this tree are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 90cm apart each way[208]. 'Tripartita' and 'Chamberlaynii' have been recommended[208]. A fairly wind resistant tree, it can be grown as part of a shelterbelt planting[200].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover  Scented Plants