The fresh or dried berries and needles of the Juniperus communis plant species are used to make juniper berry essential oil. The Bulgarian-born juniper berry plant is renowned for its ability to detoxify and strengthen the immune system. Juniper berry has a long history of naturally warding off both acute and chronic ailments. In this article, we will analyze juniper berry essential oil benefits and uses.
The berries of junipers themselves are rich in flavonoids and polyphenol antioxidants, which are powerful free radical scavengers.
During the Middle Ages, juniper berries were known as guardians of health and thought to help ward off witches. To assist shield patients from lingering bacteria and illnesses, French hospital wards smoked juniper and rosemary for years.
Today, juniper berry essential oil (referred to as Juniperi communis in most research studies) is most frequently used in herbal treatments for fatigue, muscle aches, arthritis, and respiratory infections. Moreover, it can strengthen the immune system, relieve symptoms of insomnia, improve digestion, and calm skin flare-ups.
Fun Facts about Juniper Essential Oil:
- According to dreams, people believed that you would flourish if you had wintertime juniper berry gathering dreams.
- A source for the arts: According to Dr Couic Marinier, “Juniper Berries were primarily utilised for the creation of crayons before 1917.”
Benefits of Juniper Essential Oil
According to research, juniper berry essential oil has over 87 active components including potent antioxidants, antibacterial agents, and antifungal agents. This oil is a well-liked addition to household cleaning products, aromatherapy blends, and fragrance sprays because of its sweet, woodsy scent (some claim it smells like balsamic vinegar).
1. Relieves Urinary Tract Symptoms
Juniper berries have antibacterial and antifungal activities. Using juniper berries as a natural preventative measure or treatment for urinary tract infections and bladder infections is one of the most well-liked homoeopathic uses for them.
Moreover, berries are a natural diuretic that aids the body in eliminating extra fluid from the bladder and urethra. This might help to lessen bloating. It is effective when it is paired with other foods that are antibacterial and diuretic, such as cranberries, fennel, and dandelion.
2. Relieves Anxiety and Insomnia
The aroma of juniper berries can help with emotional support and can lessen the symptoms of stress on the body and mind. According to some sources, juniper is one of the most beneficial essential oils for coping with inner trauma and pain since it may have positive effects on relaxation responses in the brain when inhaled. It is popular in folklore as a natural anxiety treatment.
Nevertheless, there is limited scientific research on the potential psychological effects of juniper berry consumption. Therefore, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that juniper berry can help people cope with inner trauma. However, some studies have shown that juniper berry extract may be beneficial for mental health and well-being. Further research is needed to determine its efficacy in coping with inner trauma in humans.
In one study, sandalwood, rose, and orris were blended with juniper berry essential oil to create a new aroma. When researchers looked at how applying the essential oil scent at night affected insomniacs who were also taking medication for their disease, they discovered that 26 of the 29 participants were able to lower their prescription dosage of hypnotic benzodiazepine. Twelve individuals were able to completely stop taking the drug.
3. Antiseptic
Juniper berry essential oil might hold the key to your search for a more effective household cleaner or a natural antiseptic for skin or respiratory illnesses. Its antibacterial capabilities aid in the killing of microorganisms and may be an effective remedy for minor infections.
According to certain research, this oil may be useful in combating fungus and bacteria that are resistant to medications. The essential oil from juniper berries is highly effective at combating candida-causing fungi.
Use juniper berry oil on kitchen and bathroom surfaces or appliances to help stop or minimise the spread of bacterial strains within your home. Diffused indoors, it purifies the air your family breaths while also absorbing odours from your home.
4. Helps Decrease High Blood Pressure
Due to its antioxidant properties, juniper berries essential oil may be a natural method of lowering high blood pressure.
With dietary and lifestyle adjustments, such as diffusing heart-healthy essential oils like juniper berries, hypertension is relatively treatable. But if ignored, it can result in heart disease and a number of other ailments.
5. Insect Repellent
Other juniper berry essential oil benefits, according to a scientific study,is the fact that the aroma of juniper may naturally deter insects like mosquitoes, much like citronella oil.
To purify the air and help avoid mosquito bites, spray it on your clothing, combine it with a carrier oil, and massage it into your skin. You may also disperse it indoors and outdoors.
6. Helps with Wound Healing
In Turkish traditional medicine, the genera Juniperus and Cupressus are mostly employed as diuretics, stimulants, and antiseptics for treating the common cold and wound healing.
In a scientific study, the wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils extracted from Juniperus berries and Cupressus cones were assessed. The oils from the berries of J. oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus and J. phoenicea were found to have better action on the wound healing compared to the other essential oils and control groups, according to the experimental data. This might be as a result of the oils’ constituents’ synergistic action. This study offers scientific support for the traditional use of Juniperus as a wound healer.
6. Potential benefits for Alzheimer’s disease
Inhaling juniper berry essential oil was shown to decrease acetylcholinesterase activity in rats which could be a potential therapy to target Alzheimer’s disease. It is also a potent antioxidant. More studies need to be conducted on humans to prove its efficacy against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Uses of Juniper Berry Essential Oil
How can you begin using juniper berry essential oil at home?
Aromatherapy
Juniper berry oil can be inhaled straight from the bottle or dispersed throughout your home like a scented candle. Several studies have demonstrated that inhaling essential oils causes them to be absorbed into the bloodstream, where they are subsequently transported throughout the body through the many blood arteries in the lungs. Due to their quick-acting effects on the olfactory system, juniper berries and other essential oils can likewise quickly transport scents to the brain.
Topical Use
Never apply juniper oil straight to your skin without first diluting it 1:1 with a carrier oil like coconut oil. You should combine 1 to 2 teaspoons of coconut or jojoba oil with a few drops of essential oil. Then, massage it into the area that hurts. Your skin allows the oil to enter, where it enters your bloodstream. Afterwards, it enters various parts of the body to provide pain relief and other therapeutic advantages.
Internal Use
Can you consume juniper berry essential oil internally? The FDA has certified juniper berries essential oil as safe for consumption. Therefore, only use a very high-quality oil brand while ingesting juniper essential oil. How can you determine whether your oil is safe to eat? Seek for oil of medicinal quality that comes from the right plant species that are grown in the local area. It’s crucial to get organic, 100% pure oil. Doing so means that it wasn’t grown with toxic pesticides or herbicides.
Final Thoughts
For thousands of years, people have employed the leaves, branches, and berries of the juniper plant for therapeutic and mystical purposes. When applying juniper essential oil topically, make sure to first dilute it with a carrier oil. It can also be used internally (if appropriate). Use only organic, therapeutic-grade juniper essential oils that are 100 per cent pure.
To learn more about juniper berry essential oil benefits, you can check this article, Decleor and Doterra.