Juniper Berry

At one time it may have been possible to acquire true “berry only” juniper oil, but my mentors (and my French and Canadian distillers) say that NO ONE is currently distilling a true, berry only, juniper oil. That the phrase “juniper berry oil” properly refers to juniper that includes the berries, not just the spiny branches. Juniper Berry contributes fresh balsamic notes to fragrances, used as a modifier for woody notes. Physical effects of Juniper Essential Oil Physically, Juniper Berry Oil is a diuretic and is often included in anti-cellulite and detoxifying blends. It is an essential component of any detoxifying blend, said by many to help with recovery from too much rich food or drink. Rosemary Caddy recommends Juniper Oil for treating gout, since, she says, it expels uric acid from the body. (Perhaps blended in St. John’s Wort Oil for its anti-inflammatory effect?) Juniper is antimicrobial for a wide range of bacteria (airborne, staph, strep, etc.) and can be used for respiratory complaints (inhalation). Juniper Oil is said to help recover from hangovers. It may be helpful with arthritis and rheumatism. Skin Care Uses of Juniper Oil In skin care it is said to aid in balancing oily skin and hair (thinking it would make a lovely blend with Geranium, perhaps a man’s blend?). A facial steam with juniper oil is a wonderful aid to balancing oily skin or to soften blackheads. Energetic Uses of Juniper Essential Oil Energetically, Juniper is said to clean the atmosphere of a room, clearing negativity from rooms or from people. (Similar to the cleansing effects of white sage.) There are those who recommend its use meditation for centering and drawing loving energy. Blending with Juniper Oil Detox Scrub: to 1/2 cup of sea salt, add enough carrier oil of your choice ( Jojoba works well for all skin types) to blend to a “wet sand” consistency. Blend 4 drops Lemon essential oil, 4 drops Juniper essential oil, and 2 drops Fennel essential oil. Stir essential oil blend into scrub base. After showering, while still standing in the shower, scrub the body with this gently detoxifying scrub, paying special attentions to areas of cellulite. Rinse well and dry. Detox Bath: Blend one cup Dead Sea Salts with the same essential oil blend mentioned above. Stir into warm bath, soak as long as you have patience for. Energizer: Combine equal parts of Peppermint, Juniper, and Rosemary Cineole essential oils. Either use in aromalamp or diffuser, or, for an energizing shower, put four or five drops of the blend on the shower floor. The steam will diffuse the aromatics. WARNINGS:Robert Tisserand advises that Commission E Monographs indicates that it may cause kidney damage or irritation. Robert found no evidence to support this, nor the pregnancy/fetal dangers. Regulatory guidelines still say that it may cause damage to kidneys. SHELF LIFE: Approximately 2 to 3 years after you open the bottle. Storing in the dark, refrigerated, and decanting half full bottles into smaller,