If You See This Plant, You’re Sitting on Gold and Don’t Even Know It!
Nature often hides its treasures in plain sight, and many of us pass by them without giving a second thought. The plant you see in the picture—often overlooked as just another evergreen shrub—is none other than Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) or a close relative of the juniper family. Its blue-gray berries, resinous leaves, and aromatic properties have been valued for centuries by Indigenous peoples, herbalists, and even modern industries. What most people dismiss as “just another tree” is, in fact, a powerful natural resource that you might already have growing in your yard, nearby woods, or along rural roadsides.
If you see this plant, you’re sitting on gold—and here’s why.
Identifying the Plant
Eastern Red Cedar is not a true cedar but a species of juniper. It thrives across North America, often growing in poor soil where other trees struggle. It has distinct features:
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Scale-like needles that are aromatic when crushed.
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Blue-gray berries (technically fleshy cones) that mature over two years.
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Reddish bark that peels in strips.
If you spot those dusty-blue berries clustered on evergreen foliage, you’ve likely found a juniper—one of the most versatile and valuable wild plants.
A Treasure Trove of Uses
So why is this plant considered “gold”? Because every part of it has been prized for generations—for food, medicine, spiritual rituals, and practical uses.
1. Medicinal Benefits
For centuries, Native American tribes and traditional healers used juniper berries and needles as remedies. Modern science has since confirmed some of these practices:
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Antimicrobial Properties: Juniper has natural compounds that fight bacteria and fungi. Infusions of the berries or leaves were often used to clean wounds and prevent infection.
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Digestive Aid: A tea made from the berries can stimulate digestion, ease bloating, and help detoxify the system.
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Respiratory Relief: Burning the leaves or inhaling steam from boiled juniper has been used to clear sinuses and relieve coughs.
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Pain Relief: Essential oils derived from juniper are still used in topical ointments to ease joint pain, arthritis, and sore muscles.
In fact, juniper is a common ingredient in modern herbal medicine for urinary tract health, thanks to its diuretic properties.
2. Culinary Uses
Believe it or not, juniper berries are edible and flavorful—though they should be used in moderation. Their sharp, piney taste is what gives gin its distinctive flavor. Without juniper, gin wouldn’t exist!
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Meat Seasoning: Crushed juniper berries add a tangy, aromatic flavor to game meat like venison, duck, and rabbit.
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Fermentation & Beverages: Historically, juniper twigs were used to flavor beer in parts of Europe, and even today, artisanal brewers experiment with it.
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Pickling & Sauces: A handful of berries can be added to sauerkraut or marinades for a unique kick.
Foragers often compare discovering a wild juniper to stumbling across a free spice cabinet in nature.
3. Spiritual and Cultural Value
Juniper has held a sacred place in countless cultures:
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Purification Rituals: Many Indigenous peoples burned juniper as a cleansing smoke, similar to sage. It was believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the home.
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Ceremonial Use: In some traditions, branches were placed in cradles to protect newborns, or carried as charms for safe travel.
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European Traditions: In the Middle Ages, juniper branches were hung above doorways to keep away witches and disease.
Its strong, clean scent and evergreen nature made it a symbol of protection and vitality.
4. Practical Everyday Uses
Beyond medicine and ritual, juniper wood and berries were practical tools for survival:
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Woodwork: The heartwood of Eastern Red Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, making it ideal for fence posts, chests, and closets. Cedarwood closets repel moths and insects.
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Natural Pest Control: Crushed berries and leaves have been scattered in pantries to deter pests.
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Aromatic Oils: Juniper oil is still a staple in aromatherapy, used for relaxation and grounding.
Why Most People Overlook It
The irony is that this “gold” often grows where it’s least appreciated—on roadsides, in pastures, or in backyards where people see it as little more than an invasive shrub. Many homeowners cut it down without realizing its value, not knowing they’re discarding centuries of knowledge and natural medicine.
Modern society is quick to buy expensive supplements, cleaning sprays, and air fresheners, but this humble plant provides natural versions of them all.
How to Harvest and Use Safely
If you’re lucky enough to find this plant nearby, here are a few guidelines:
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Harvest Responsibly: Take only what you need. Leave plenty of berries and branches for wildlife, as many birds and deer rely on juniper for food and shelter.
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Use Moderation: While juniper berries are safe in small culinary amounts, excessive consumption can be harmful, especially for pregnant women or people with kidney problems.
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Preparation Ideas:
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Make a juniper tea by steeping a few berries in hot water.
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Infuse berries in vinegar or alcohol to create a natural tonic.
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Add crushed berries sparingly to marinades.
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Use branches as natural air fresheners or for smoke cleansing.
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Economic Value
Juniper is not just a backyard curiosity—it’s part of a global economy:
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The essential oil industry extracts juniper oil for perfumes, cosmetics, and therapeutic products.
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The beverage industry relies on juniper for gin production, which generates billions of dollars annually.
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The wood industry values red cedar for its durability and insect-repelling qualities.
If you think of it this way, having juniper nearby really does mean sitting on a hidden form of “green gold.”
A Forgotten Ally
In a world where people often look to high-tech solutions and expensive wellness products, juniper stands as a reminder that nature has already given us many of the tools we need. It offers flavor, healing, protection, and practical utility—all for free, growing quietly in the corners of fields and forests.
The next time you walk past one of these shrubs and see those dusty-blue berries glistening among the green needles, stop for a moment. What looks ordinary is actually extraordinary. What seems like a nuisance bush is, in truth, a plant of power and heritage.
Final Thoughts
If you see this plant, don’t ignore it. You’re sitting on gold and probably don’t even realize it. For thousands of years, juniper has been medicine, food, and protection for countless cultures. It has seasoned meals, healed wounds, protected homes, and flavored drinks that are still enjoyed worldwide.
In the right hands, this humble evergreen is more than just part of the scenery—it’s a symbol of survival, tradition, and natural wealth. So, the next time you spot those little blue berries, remember: nature has gifted you something precious, and all it asks in return is respect.
