Eastern Red Cedar Berries

[Paul Bacino]

So, I was out cleaning up the yard and found some ceder berries.. trimmings from the fall.

Ideas ? Are they even edible or usable? Pest and spray free BTW

I'm making some preserved Meyer lemons and thinking of putting a few in?

[andiesenji]

The Native Americans made a tea from cedar berries, used in small quantities to relieve coughs and the symptoms of what is now known to be "cedar fever" an allergic reaction to cedar pollen, and stomach pains, muscle aches, etc.

The berries are usually picked in midsummer and dried for a few months before use. There used to be a small home-based business in Lee Vining, CA that gathered wild juniper and cedar berries and processed them for use by hobby candle makers and soap makers - I haven't seen the people for several years and their phone is no longer in service. I thought I could get more info for you from them. He was a retired prof. of botany and his wife a Native American.

All berries from these plants are mildly toxic in large quantities - gastrointestinal cramps and etc., but they have been used for centuries with no problems.

They are a pretty good substitute for juniper berries but have less flavor than the ones gathered from Juniperus communis - range map here with a list of uses and helpful info.

Edited March 23, 2012 by andiesenji (log)