Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Gum

Fruit - raw or cooked. Soft, juicy and pulpy[81, 85, 105], but with a thin flesh[82]. It can be dried and ground into a powder and then be baked[82, 227], or can be used as a seasoning in stews etc[161, 257]. The fruits were only used when other foods were in short supply[257]. The cones are about 5 - 8mm in diameter and ripen in their first year[200]. Inner bark - raw or cooked[257]. It was chewed in times of food shortage for the little nourishment it supplied[257]. The gum is chewed as a delicacy[161, 257]. No further details are given.

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic  Birthing aid  Diuretic  Dysentery  Febrifuge  Laxative  Odontalgic  Pectoral  
Poultice  Stomachic

One-seed juniper was commonly employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes, who used it to treat a variety of complaints[257]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. The leaves are febrifuge, laxative and pectoral[216]. An infusion is used in the treatment of stomach complaints, constipation, coughs and colds[216]. An infusion was also used by pregnant women prior to childbirth in order to relax the muscles[257]. A poultice of the heated twigs can be bound over a bruise or sprain in order to reduce the swelling[257]. An infusion of the staminate cones has been used as a stomach tonic and in the treatment of dysentery[257]. The chewed bark has been applied externally to help heal spider bites[257]. It is also highly prized as a dressing on burns[257]. The fruits are strongly diuretic[257]. A gum from the plant has been used as a temporary filling in a decayed tooth[257].

Beads  Dye  Fibre  Fuel  Gum  Lighting  Mordant  Tinder  Wood

Thin strips of the fibrous bark are used for making sleeping mats etc[82, 227]. It has also been used as a lining in shoes to absorb moisture and to keep the feet warmer[257]. When rubbed fine, the bark can be used to make children's clothing[257]. The bark is employed as a tinder and is also made into a slow match or can be shredded, bound into bundles and used as a torch to give light in the house[216, 257]. The crushed bark was twisted into a rope, tied at intervals with yucca (Yucca species), and wrapped into a coil. The free end was set on fire and kept smouldering by blowing on it at intervals. Fire could be carried in this fashion for several hours[257]. The dried seeds have been used as beads or as the 'rattle' in rattles[216, 257]. A green dye is obtained from the bark and berries[229, 257]. A yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant[257]. Ashes from the whole plant have been used as a mordant to fix the colour of dyes[257]. Wood - moderately hard, somewhat heavy, slightly fragrant. When seasoned properly it is very durable and is used mainly for fencing and fuel[82, 227, 229]. As a fuel it burns steadily and evenly[257].

Special Uses

Food Forest