Juniper Oil is extracted from Juniper Berries. Juniper essential oil can be used to treat joint pain, arthritis, acne, eczema, coughs and lung congestion.
Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a tree in the Cupressaceae family. Juniper berries have a distinctive flavor, which is the main flavor ingredient in gin. Juniper essential oil has a clean, mildly penetrating and woody scent. The oil has cleansing, warming, stimulating, disinfecting and antiseptic effects, and can be used internally and externally.
Juniper Oil for joint pain and arthritis
Juniper essential oil is anti rheumatic. It promotes and improves circulation, helps in the removal of toxins like uric acid from the body, and relieves swelling. With these properties, juniper essential oil can be used for treating joint pain, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, nerve, muscle, and tendon pains. Juniper oil can cleanse the muscle fibres and alleviate the root cause of the stiffness. It helps reduce swelling and soften fingers and joints.
To help fight ailments like rheumatism, arthritis and gout, juniper oil can be used internally:
1. Juniper oil tea
– Juniper oil 1-2 drops
– Hot water 1 cup
– Dilute the oil in the water
– Drink it, two times a day
2. Juniper oil and ginger tea
– Fresh ginger (minced) 1 teaspoon
– Juniper oil 1 drop
– Boiling water 1 cup
– Steep for 15 minutes
– Drink it, twice a day
Juniper oil can also be used externally as a massage oil for treating joint pain and arthritis:
3. Juniper oil for massage
– Juniper oil 1 drop
– Carrier oil 1 teaspoon
– Mix two oils
– Apply it to the affected area
– Gently massage it, once a day
Please note, it takes time (weeks or months) to see the improvement when treating chronic joint pain, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Juniper Oil for acne and eczema
Juniper Oil has cleansing, disinfecting and antiseptic properties. It can be used to treat skin disorders, such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Juniper Oil alleviates skin inflammation, treats oily skin.
When used internally, it stimulates circulation and cleanses the accumulated toxins in the body, therefore it helps treat skin diseases caused by the internal disorders:
1. Juniper oil tea
– Put a drop of juniper oil in a cup of water
– Drink it, twice a day.
And you can also use it externally:
2. Juniper oil rubs
– Mix a drop of juniper oil with some carrier oil
– Apply it to the affected area
– Twice a day
You may use grape seed oil or almond oil as a carrier oil to mix with juniper oil. The ratio can be: 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and 3 drops of juniper oil.
3. Juniper oil bath
– Add a few drops of Juniper oil to the bath water
– Take the bath once a day
Juniper Oil for coughs & lung congestion
Juniper essential oil is warming and stimulating. It is helpful in alleviating respiratory problems like coughs, bronchitis and lung congestion. Juniper essential oil can be used externally in the aromatherapy to treat coughs and lung congestion:
– Mix a few drops of juniper oil with some carrier oil
– Rub it to the chest for coughs and lung congestion
Or you can use this recipe:
– Juniper oil 2 drops
– Thyme oil 2 drops
– Almond oil 5 drops
– Mix them and rub to the chest
Warnings and Precautions
Please note, juniper oil may irritate the skin when used externally, so you should test it on your skin by diluting it with carrier oil and gradually increase the concentration.
When used internally for a long term, juniper may have side effects. People in pregnancy or have kidney disease should not take juniper oil internally. For internal use of juniper, it is recommended to take a rest at least 10 days after continually using it for one month. Anyway, you should consult your doctor before using juniper oil.
References
- Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, Culpeper, Nicholas (1985). Godfrey Cave Associates. ISBN 1-85007-026-1.
- Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2011 Edition
