What is Juniper Essential Oil?
Juniper berry essential oil is a crisp, woody oil steam distilled from the berries of the common juniper shrub, and it's loved for its clean, gin-like aroma in diffuser and meditation blends. The common juniper tree has the scientific name Juniperus communis and is a coniferous tree that grows in temperate climates. It can grow as tall as 52 feet in some areas or it can be a smaller evergreen shrub in other regions. The “berries” that grow on this plant are not actually berries, but rather cones. They are too bitter to eat raw, but they can be dried to create a spice that is commonly used in European cuisine, especially in Scandinavia. They are also used to make gin. In fact, the name for gin comes from the Old French word for juniper, “genièvre.”
Ancient Egyptian tombs have been found to contain juniper berries from the Juniperus phoenicea and Juniperus oxycedrus species. Since the trees cannot grow in the Egyptian climate, it is likely that these berries were brought by the Ancient Greeks. In Greece, juniper berries were used in Olympic events due to a belief that they would increase strength and stamina. Native American cultures, such as the Navajo, also used juniper as a traditional medicine and brewed the berries into a tea.
To extract our juniper essential oil, we use steam distillation. This involves placing the juniper berries into a vat and adding steam to turn the volatile compounds into a vapor. This is then collected, turned back into a liquid, and purified into 100% essential oil.
Complementary Scents
For an herbaceous mix, you can pair juniper berry essential oil with rosemary, clary sage, or tea tree oil. Citrus oils including bergamot, orange, and grapefruit bring out the citrus notes in this essential oil and create an uplifting blend. It also goes well with flowery scents such as lavender or rose.
Primary Benefits
Juniper berry oil adds a crisp, woody scent to homemade toners and skin creams. Its clean aroma suits products that are meant to feel fresh and invigorating. You can add a few drops of juniper berry oil to an unscented skin cream to enjoy its calming scent. Make sure to use a low concentration to avoid any irritation, especially if you are using the oil on your face.
Diffusing juniper oil is a great way to create a relaxing atmosphere. Many people find the smell incredibly calming. You can dilute it with a carrier oil and add it to your bath for a soothing soak. Mixing it with lavender oil is a particularly great way to enjoy the benefits this oil can have on your mood.
Spiritually, juniper has been used by many ancient cultures to cleanse and purify the air and expel any negative entities. The Greeks would often burn juniper berries during spiritual ceremonies. Using witch hazel, carrier oil, and water, you can create a spray with juniper essential oil that you can use to bring more positive energy into a room or other area. Mixing it with clary sage and diffusing it is another great way to promote spiritual purification.
How to Use Juniper Oil
To diffuse juniper essential oil, add the number of drops recommended for your specific size and model of diffuser. Be sure not to add too much as the scent can become overpowering. To avoid overexposing yourself to the oil, you should also limit the duration of use. You can diffuse this oil alone or with others. Try different combinations to find aromas that you personally enjoy.
Any pure essential oil must be diluted with a carrier oil before you apply it topically. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, and refined olive oil are all good options for this. In most cases, three drops of oil per teaspoon of carrier oil is an appropriate dilution. You may want to adjust this if you have sensitive skin. If you are applying juniper oil to your face, you should dilute it further. We recommend three drops of the essential oil in four teaspoons of your preferred carrier oil.
Juniper Berry Oil FAQs
What is juniper berry oil used for?
Juniper berry is mostly diffused for a fresh, grounding atmosphere, and many people use it during meditation or cleansing rituals. Diluted, it also adds a clean, woody note to bath oils and skin creams.
Does juniper berry oil smell like gin?
Yes, in a way. Juniper berries are the main botanical in gin, so the oil shares that crisp, piney aroma, although on its own it smells woodier and less sharp.
Can you put juniper berry oil in the bath?
You can, as long as you dilute it first. Mix a few drops into a tablespoon of carrier oil before adding it to the water, since essential oils do not dissolve in water on their own.
What blends well with juniper berry oil?
Juniper pairs well with clary sage and frankincense for meditation, and with bergamot, lemon, or grapefruit for a fresh, bright blend. Rosemary and lavender also work nicely with it.
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