Oil Of The Week: Juniper Berry

 

The juniper tree,  Juniperus communis, is an evergreen conifer native to the United Kingdom and Europe. The berries the tree produces are actually not true berries but are the female seed cones. These juniper ‘berries’ are classed as a spice and famously used to flavour gin.

 

Juniper berry essential oil is produced via steam distillation of the  juniper berries. The oil has a woody, slightly spicy, sweet and fresh scent. Somehow it is reminiscent of autumn and winter time with its fresh, woody scent that reminds one of walking in a shady forest.

 

Juniper oil is particularly known for its purifying, cleansing and detoxing properties. It has various uses in the medicinal, skincare and aromatherapy fields. Let’s find out more.

 

Medical Uses

Juniper berry oil, like the berries themselves, is considered purifying, cleansing and a diuretic. It can benefit the lymphatic system even when applied topically (one should never ingest the essential oil).

Added to a carrier oil, balm or skin cream,  juniper berry essential oil can also help treat muscle pain as it is warming and anti inflammatory. It can ease arthritis, rheumatism and gout when massaged into affected areas.

Juniper is a natural antiseptic and can be applied diluted to cuts and wounds to prevent germs and speed up the healing process.

 

In Skincare

Juniper berry oil is a natural skin toner and helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes and scars.

Add a drop of this essential oil to your clay face mask to brighten and cleanse your skin. The essential oil is great for oily skin types because of its purifying, toning and cleansing properties, so it can be incorporated into skincare formulas designed to target oily skin.

 

In Aromatherapy

Juniper berry oil is great to diffuse into any space for a refreshing and cleansing aroma. It combines beautifully with  bergamot, creating a calming and uplifting scent harmony.

It also blends well with other woody and coniferous oils such as  cedarwood and  rosewood,  cypress and  pine, as well as with citrus oils such as  orange.

Juniper berry essential oil is one of the best aromatherapy oils for dealing with anxiety related to inner trauma. It also helps combat nervous and mental fatigue.

Juniper oil helps ease stress and anxiety, and produces a positive effect on the brain’s relaxation responses when inhaled.

Blend with a carrier oil to use juniper berry oil as a massage oil blend to detox and kickstart sluggish lymph glands.

 

Other Uses

Because of its sweet and refreshing scent, juniper berry oil is great as a linen and room spray. Combine a few drops of juniper berry oil with a solubiliser and top up with water for a 100% natural fragrance spray.

Juniper berry essential oil is a middle note when used in perfumery.

The oil is a calming, purifying and grounding oil that is great for use in meditation.

Juniper berries are what gives gin its distinctive flavour.

Juniper berry oil makes for a fascinating scent in soaps.

 

Warnings: juniper berries and juniper berry oil should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are taking prescription medication for diabetes, glucose regulation or hypoglycemia.

 

How To Use Juniper Berry Essential Oil

As previously mentioned, juniper berry combines well with other woody and forestry oils such as rosewood,  cedarwood and  cypress, as well as citrus oils like  orange and  bergamot. As it is a middle note, juniper oil can be combined with a top and base note to create a beautiful, complex fragrance.

You can make your own essential oil diffuser blends by combining juniper with bergamot, or getting experimental and trying it with a citrus note for a really uplifting aroma. Add your blend to a  burner or diffuser to create a calming and grounding space in your home, office or yoga room.

Juniper oil can be added to bath water and bath products such as bath bombs or bath oils for a relaxing time.

Add it to balms and salves and massage into aching and painful muscles and joints.

Add to soaps, creams and other body products to enjoy the refreshing fragrance.

Juniper berry oil is a wonderful oil for toning oily skin, grounding and purifying spaces and adding a sophisticated fragrance to cosmetic products. It is the perfect oil for the autumn winter season!