Yuthog Foundation for Tibetan Medicine

Medicinal Plants

Juniperus macropoda Boiss. (J.excelsa M.B.)

Description:

Very old tree

Altitude:

3700 m (12,139 foot)

Location:

Close to Guru Rinpoche cave

Medical usage:

internal in kidney diseases; as medical bath in joint pains together with 4 other plants and chang (tibetan beer)

Such big trees as the one depicted here are considered as holy and no sane person would dare cutting branches off them. There are several stories of people who still did so and subsequently attacked by spirits afterwards.
Besides the up mentioned use, juniper twigs and needles are very important for fumigation. People will walk with pans full of glowing charcoal through their houses in the morning and sprinkle needles over the coals. This produces a very aromatic smoke which is believed to clean the atmosphere, ward off diseases and evil entities. Juniper needles are an important ingredient in traditional Tibetan incense.