Juniper Berries and the Feast of Three Kings in Poland

Common juniper (Juniperus communis) has always played a very versatile and significant role in Polish culture.

     Juniper berries and branch. Photo credit: pl.wikipedia.org

      The berries of the shrub are edible and as such were used as a spice in cooking certain dishes especially game and the traditional bigos cooked over an open fire by hunters.  In folk medicine, a dozen or so ripe juniper berries were chewed or steeped in alcohol to make a tincture and said to be effective for stomach weakness and against colic. Juniper tea treated internal ailments of the kidneys and liver. The oil extracted from its berries was an effective antiseptic. As a native plant the common juniper was indispensable medicinally and also played an important role within yearly customs and traditions one of which was on the Feast of Three Kings, known as Epiphany, and celebrated on January 6th.

The day commemorates the Three Kings who brought gifts to the Christ Child. According to the Gospel of Matthew, three men named Caspar (sometimes written Gaspar or Kaspar), Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of Bethlehem to meet the Infant Jesus and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

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 Postcard by M. Ichnowski. 1938 Photo courtesy of Krystyna Bartosik.

    In his book "Lud polski - jego zwyczaje, zabobony" published in 1830, author Łukasz Gołębiowski (1773-1849) writes: “On this day, the faithful of Poland attended church where the priest blessed kredę (chalk), jałowiec (juniper)and żywicę (myrrh). In the Kurpie region of Poland where juniper grows in abundance in the sandy soil, ethnographer Adam Chętnik wrote: "On Epiphany, people bless juniper branches along with juniper berries in the church.” The juniper berries and shrub were used as a substitute for frankincense. Immediately after the service, people hurried home with the blessed items.

     The blessed chalk was used to write the initials of the Wise Men plus the year on the upper door frame of the main room in the house, sometimes, but not always adding the year.

​← Sophie Knab photo. Skansen in Toruń, Poland 2025

     
The blessed chalk was used to write the initials of the Wise Men plus the year on the upper door frame of the main room in the house. Inviting God’s protection on the house.

     During the time when cooking was done over an open fire in Poland, the blessed juniper branches were thrown into the fire, emitting masses of thick, aromatic smoke used to incense the home, to purify it, to fumigate it against all diseases and illness. It was considered a remedy for all diseases, spells, and other misfortunes. As the naturalist Krzysztof Kluk (1739-1796) wrote in his monumental work, „Dykcyonarz roślinnym” (Dictionary of plants) it "corrected bad air."  In later years, when stoves with metal plates covered the fire for heating and cooking, the juniper berries were burned on top of the stove plate, with the belief that the scent would kill any plague and promote health.

     The gifts of Magii have withstood the test of time through the centuries. To this day, the rich, sweet and smoky scent of incense used in church services largely comes from the burning a blend of frankincense (a fragrant resin from Boswellia tree) and myrrh (a resin of Commiphora tree).
 
     For more about Epiphany and the  customs of Poland: Polish Customs, Traditions and Folklore, Hippocrene Books, Inc. 2024
     For more about the use of juniper and the plants of Poland: Polish Herbs, Flowers and Folk Medicine, Hippocrene Books, Inc. 2020
      
​Thanks for reading. The Feast of the Three Kings ended the Twelve Days of Christmas but still within the time frame to wish everyone a healthy and happy new year. Best to everyone in 2026!

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