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- Now Foods Juniper Berry Essential Oil - 1 oz.
Now Foods Juniper Berry Essential Oil - 1 oz.
Now Foods Juniper Berry Essential Oil - 1 oz.
Benefits of Juniper Berry Essential Oil
May Help Heal and Protect Skin
With natural antibacterial abilities, juniper berry essential oil is one of the most popular natural remedies for fighting skin irritations (like rash or eczema) and infections. Due to its antiseptic abilities, it can serve as a home remedy for acne and some people also like to use juniper oil for hair and scalp concerns like dandruff.
Boosts Digestion
Juniper can help stimulate digestive enzymes and make it easier to break down and absorb protein, fats and nutrients from foods. This is because it is a “bitter.” Bitters are herbs that begin the digestive process. However, this has not been tested thoroughly on humans. But it has proven to hold true in at least one animal study, in which cows had significantly improved digestion when given garlic and juniper berry essential oils. Some people talk about juniper berry essential oil for weight loss, but this benefit also hasn’t been backed by any solid human studies.
Relaxant and Sleep Aid
The smell of juniper berries offers emotional support and reduce physical and emotional signs of stress. Considered in folklore as a natural anxiety remedy, some sources claim it’s one of the most effective essential oils for dealing with inner trauma and pain because juniper may have positive effects on relaxation responses in the brain when inhaled. One study tested an essential oil fragrance that combined juniper berry essential oil with sandalwood, rose and orris. Examining its effect on insomniacs who were taking medication for their condition, researchers found that 26 of the 29 subjects were able to reduce their drug dosage when using the essential oil fragrance at night. Twelve subjects were able to eliminate medications altogether.
For a natural sleep aid, use juniper berry essential oil at home by diffusing it throughout your bedroom, dabbing some on your wrists (diluted with a carrier oil) or clothes for an uplifting perfume, or adding several drops to your laundry detergent mix so the smell lingers on your clothes and linens. You can also add a few drops directly to a bath or my homemade healing bath salts recipe for a relaxing, healing soak.
Heartburn and Acid Reflex Relief
Another traditional use of juniper berry essential oil is to treat heartburn and acid reflux. To soothe indigestion symptoms like acid reflux, massage 1 to 2 drops of juniper berry oil blended with coconut oil over the entire stomach, abdomen and chest, or consider taking it internally. However, consult with your natural health care provider before ingesting it.
Might Reduce Cellulite
You can also use juniper oil as a cellulite remedy. It may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite thanks to active components like alpha-pinene, sabinene and juniperene.
Insect Repellent
Just like citronella oil, the scent of juniper may naturally repel bugs like mosquitoes according to scientific research. Spray it on your clothes, mix it with a carrier oil and massage into your skin, or diffuse it indoors and outdoors to purify the air and help prevent bug bites. You can even include it in your own homemade bug spray.
Natural Antiseptic
Whether you’re looking for a better household cleaner or a natural antiseptic for skin or respiratory infections, juniper berry essential oil may be one answer. Its antimicrobial properties help to kill bacteria and provide what could be a potent treatment for simple infections.
Some studies suggest this oil might be effective against bacteria and fungi that are resistant to antibiotics. Juniper berry essential oil has a strong antifungal reaction against the bacteria that causes candida.
To help prevent or reduce bacterial strains from spreading within your home, use juniper berry oil on kitchen and bathroom surfaces or appliances. When diffused indoors, it absorbs odors from your home while also purifying the air your family breathes. Run several drops through your washing machine or dishwasher, and replace commercial cleaning products — which usually contain multiple harsh chemicals — with natural antibacterial juniper oil mixed with water.
Powerful Antioxidant
One reason juniper berry essential oil may function in so many different ways is because it contains antioxidants that help to slow age-related degradation, such as skin problems, as well as prevent disease. In particular, animal studies have found that this oil increases the activity of three very important antioxidants in the body: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase. All three of these have huge health benefits. In fact, glutathione peroxidase is associated with prevention and development of diseases like cancer and heart disease. This could be why juniper berry essential oil has shown anticancer effects against certain leukemia cells in lab tests.
Might Help Reduce High Blood Pressure
Correlated with its antioxidant activity, juniper berry essential oil might be one natural way to reduce high blood pressure. Hypertension is quite manageable with diet and lifestyle changes, such as diffusing heart-healthy essential oils like juniper berry. However, if left untreated, it can lead to heart disease and various other conditions.