Juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis) is a unique ingredient in many of PHYTO5’s Winter quantum energetic skincare products. This is because juniper berry is excellent for skin health and radiance of more mature skin. It encourages circulation, cleanses skin and blood and calms inflammation. Juniper berry essential oil also acts against unwanted water retention.
Juniper is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to most states in North America. Their cones and foliage are usually aromatic.
Resembling blueberries, juniper berries take two or three years to ripen. Only blue ripe berries can be picked to make the essential oil.
The sweetest oil comes from the berries of the tree. A less potent juniper oil is also harvested from the needles and twigs.
You can forage for juniper berries quite easily in the U. S. Find the berries within two feet of the branch tips.
There’s a time-honored way to pick the berries: Place a sheet underneath the shrub, grasp a berry-laden branch and gently shake. The blue ripe berries will fall off easily. Don’t take green berries because they will rot before they dry.
The essential oil of juniper is extracted by steam distillation of ripe blue dried berries. Juniper berry smells distinctive, crisp, fresh, woody and herbaceous with a hint of sweetness. If it smells a bit like a cocktail to you, it’s because juniper berries are used in gin.
Swedish bitters, known for their health benefits, often include juniper berry in their concoctions. So does the famous Jaegermeister bitters alcohol beverage. The Swedish bitter beer Drikke (or Gotlandscdricka) also combines both juniper boughs and berries with malt, hops, yeast, water and sugar to make the brew.
Wild foraged juniper berries have long been used in food, beverages, and medicine. Norwegians home brew juniper berry tea, for example.
In medical applications, juniper berry is used to treat the respiratory and urinary tracts. The berry works to fight cold, congestion, cough, arthritis, and gout.
Juniper berries are quite potent so use only very small amounts.
Juniper berry supports healthy skin.
As a powerful cleansing oil, juniper berry essential oil works to eliminate dirt, germs and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to yield a natural glow.
Juniper berry essential oil is a hero ingredient in PHYTO5’s Water element black Clay Mask.
Juniper berry essential oil effectively treats skin conditions caused by hormone imbalance.
It works to counteract dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and long unhealed wounds.
Juniper berry essential oil in PHYTO5 Hand Cream works to heal dry hands suffering from eczema.
The oil is very effective for inflamed skin, open pores, stretch marks, and orange peel appearance just under the skin.
Juniper berry essential oil works to detoxify blood and fights acne effectively yet it’s gentle on the skin.
It stimulates, soothes, and helps balance water retention. As a natural astringent juniper berry essential oil tones the skin.
Juniper berry essential oil is a hero ingredient in PHYTO5’s Metal skin Toner.
Juniper berry essential oil works to balance dehydrated scalp and dandruff. It can help strengthen and hydrate hair and create conditions that support hair growth.
This essential oil is a unique ingredient in PHYTO5’s Water element Shampoo that works to restore hydration, volume and luster to hair.
Juniper promotes elasticity of blood vessels, thus improved blood circulation.
Enjoy the benefits of juniper berry essential oil in Water element Yogi Body Gel and Selextreme alpine exfoliating salts.
Juniper supports the nervous system and the emotion of the Water element according to traditional Chinese medicine. That emotion is fear and left unbalanced may lead to stressful reactions and more negative emotions. Psychologically, juniper berry essential oil strengthens and uplifts the spirit.
All of PHYTO5’s five element lines are quantum energetic. This means all the products in those lines are capable of helping balance emotion. Another product from the Water line is Day Cream which helps balance water retention in skin as well as emotion.
Juniper berry essential oil offers still more health benefits.
Historically, people have long found juniper berry to have purifying and healing properties.
They used the berries to fight the spread of plagues and contagious diseases. During a smallpox epidemic, hospitals in France burned juniper wood to stop its spread.
Juniper berry offers anti-inflammatory, calming, anti-irritating and lipolytic properties.
Juniper berry is especially beneficial for detoxification. It helps remove toxic waste and improves elimination. Consider using juniper berries and/or its essential oil if you have digestion and elimination issues.
Juniper berry also helps cleanse the liver and improve its health and function. Especially if you have or are at risk for fatty liver, juniper berry may benefit your liver.
Essential oil of juniper berry additionally works to detoxify the colon, kidneys, skin and lungs. It’s known to offer the following benefits:
enlivens dull skin
tones skin naturally by unblocking pores and balancing oily and blackhead- and acne-prone skin
provides relief for psoriasis and eczema when applied in diluted form
soothes skin eruptions when used in a cool compress; an anti-irritant
softens scar tissue
regulates oiliness of the hair
helps treat dandruff when used in a hair rinse
lessens varicose veins
acts as antibacterial and antiseptic; a disinfectant for ureter and bladder infections but not for acute kidney infections
can serve as a diuretic
improves cartilage elasticity
offers sore muscle relief and joint support
soothes rheumatic and arthritic pain
helps ease cramps from menstruation and assists in regulating the menstrual cycle
treats yeast infection and vaginitis
alleviates symptoms of cystitis by adding a few drops of juniper berry oil in a warm shallow bath
relieves chronic gas trouble
lessens kidney stone discomfort when placing a compress with juniper berry oil on the lower back
stimulates sluggish body functions
supports digestive function; helps balance metabolism
helps heal ulcers
purifies and detoxifies the blood
alleviates varicose veins
reduces unwanted water retention
helps shrink varicose veins and hemorrhoids
an actual tonic, helps tone muscles and tissues
promotes nerve regeneration after injury
enhances the filtration action of kidneys
combats free radicals
speeds healing
normalizes acid-base reactions in the body
provides relief as expectorant for bronchitis, colds and coughs when its fragrance is gently inhaled
helps recovery from influenza
offers respiratory support
purifies the air, repelling insects
eases mental exhaustion and nervous tension acting as a sedative
acts as a grounding agent for anxiety
helps sharpen memory when used in aromatherapy
dispels negative emotions of guilt, loneliness and insecurity
helps release suppressed anger and negativity when used in aromatherapy or during meditation
helps relieve irritability and an out-of-balance stress response; mentally stimulating
Juniper berry oil is non-toxic and is generally non-sensitizing. Some people do have a reaction to the essential oil, so be cautious when using. Make sure you do a skin patch test first. Apply a diluted drop on your arm and see if any reaction occurs.
Concerning precautions or contraindications, Dr. Joseph Mercola says this about juniper berry essential oil:
“Because it can stimulate the uterine muscle, juniper berry oil should not be used during pregnancy. I do not recommend this essential oil to nursing moms and very young children as well.
Those who suffer from any type of kidney or liver disease should refrain from using juniper berry oil.”
–Dr. Joseph Mercola
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