Essential Oil Spotlight: Juniper Berry

Juniper berry (Juniperus communis) essential oil is steam-distilled from the berries and needles of cypress conifer trees. This essential oil is recognized by its sweet, balsamic, and tenacious scent.

This essential oil contains antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cleansing, detoxifying, diuretic, stimulant, and tonic health properties. Juniper primarily affects the following body systems: digestive system, emotional balance, nervous system, and skin.

Historically, juniper has been used for physical and spiritual purification, cleansing infections, embalming, relieving arthritis and urinary tract infections, warding off plagues, epidemics, and contagious diseases, kidney and bladder problems, pulmonary infections, and fevers.

Today, juniper berry essential oil is commonly used to help with acne, alcoholism, dermatitis/eczema, kidney stones, and tinnitus. This oil may also help with detoxifying and cleansing the body, coughs, depression, energy, hemorrhoids, infections, liver problems, aching muscles, nerve function and regeneration, obesity, rheumatism, ulcers, water retention, and wounds.

Applications of Juniper Berry Essential Oil and Safety Data:

Topical Application: This oil can be applied neat (with no dilution). Apply directly to the area of concern or to reflex points.
Aromatic Application: The aroma of juniper evokes feelings of health, love, and peace and may help to elevate one’s spiritual awareness.
Internal Application: Juniper berry is generally recognized as safe for human consumption. Place a drop under the tongue, or take in capsules.
Safety Data: This oil should not be consumed by children under 6 years old; use with caution and in greater dilution on children 6 years old and over. Use with caution during pregnancy or while nursing.

Ways to Use Juniper Berry Essential Oil:

1. Skin Clarity Roll-on
We all aspire to have clear, healthy skin. If you’re struggling to achieve this, try combining 10 drops melaleuca, 8 drops lavender, and 8 drops juniper berry with 2 tsp. (10 ml) carrier oil in a 10 ml (1/3 oz) roll-on bottle. Roll the mixture on your face after removing makeup, and massage in if necessary. Click here to view the full recipe.

2. Hangover
Add 5 drops grapefruit, 2 drops rosemary, and 1 drop juniper berry to 1 cup (250 g) epsom salt. Dissolve 1/2 cup (125 g) of the mixture in warm bathwater for a soothing bath to ease hangover symptoms.
3. Diffuser Blends
Juniper berry essential oil comes with so many aromatic benefits that you can’t help but diffuse it with some of your favorite oils. Here are a few diffuser blends we’ve come up with that you can try!

4. Dermatitis/Eczema
Skin conditions can become extremely uncomfortable and irritating. To treat dermatitis/eczema, blend 2 drops helichrysum and 2 drops juniper berry with 1 tsp. (5 ml) fractionated coconut oil in a small roll-on bottle, and apply on the affected skin.
5. Air-Freshening Spray
Air fresheners should not only smell great, but also be emotionally uplifting. Combine 10 drops fennel, 8 drops lemon, and 6 drops juniper berry with 1 tsp. (5 ml) carrier oil in a 1 oz. spray bottle. Fill the remainder of the bottle with distilled water, and shake to combine. Spray the mixture around the room, and breathe in the emotional support.

Source:
Modern Essentials: The Complete Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils, 9th Edition, p. 79.