top of page
Writer's pictureDina Bhadra Legari

August Essential Oil: Juniper Berry

Updated: Aug 27, 2023



Botanical Name: Juniperus Communis

Aroma: Woody, crisp, earthy, floral hints


Juniper is an evergreen bush with spreading branches that can grow up to six feet tall. The male trees have yellow cones and the female trees have bluish-green cones, and the berries take about three years to ripen to a blue-black color. Once ripe the berries typically have a light dusting of white powder on them. There are over fifty species of juniper and the maximum lifespan of the bush is 2,000 years!


The Romans used these berries for antiseptic and medicinal purposes to help with digestion, coughs, colds, urinary tract issues, tumors, and snakebites. They also used Juniper to flavor their foods whenever black pepper was unavailable.


In the Middle Ages, juniper boughs were burned to fumigate homes for protection against the plague and other diseases. This practice continued until World War I when Juniper was burned to help fight against epidemics.


Native Americans used the juniper as a source of food; they ate the inner bark, drank tea from the leaves, and ground up the berries to make cakes. They would combine the berries and twigs to make a tea high in vitamin C. They used the juniper bush and berries for many medicinal uses including muscle and joint pain, and as a topical solution to help stop bleeding and heal wounds.


In folk medicine, the berries were infused with water and used as an antidote for poisonous bites. And in India, the leaves were burned as incense.


Juniper berries are still used today in the making of gin to give it that distinctive flavor. It can also be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.


Below is a list of some of the therapeutic properties of Juniper Berry essential oil:

  • Useful in helping with anxiety, stress and uplifting your mood

  • Helpful with acne, asthma, arthritis, bursitis, gout, muscle aches and pains, and psoriasis

  • Improves mental clarity and memory

  • Lessens colds, flu, hangovers, inflammation, and fluid retention; and can speed the healing of cuts and bruises

  • Repels insects and can soothe insect bites

  • Is an antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, blood purifier, digestive, disinfectant, detoxifier, and insecticide

Below are some of the magical and spiritual properties of Juniper Berry essential oil:

  • Activates the sacral, solar plexus, and third eye chakras

  • Helpful with dream work

  • Use in spells for abundance, prosperity, success, and happiness


Recipe to enhance your mood:

Diffuse in an aromatherapy lamp or diffuser to help calm stress and anxiety, and to eliminate crankiness and irritability caused by tension:


4 drops of Juniper

2 drops of Lavender

2 drops of Clary Sage



If you have any questions, regarding how to use [name] essential oil or any other essential oils, feel free to contact me at info@bhadralegari.com


Check out my online store for specially crafted essential oil blends and more.


*Safety Note: Always, always, consult with a doctor before using essential oils, especially if you’re pregnant, or using oils for your children. It’s also a good idea to check with your veterinarian before using oils on your pets too. Essential oils are safe, natural alternatives; however, we are not doctors and it’s just good practice to consult with your trusted medical professionals before trying or adding new things into your environment.



 

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. That means if you click and make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.


References:


Comments


bottom of page