Juniper berry essential oil is obtained from the fruits as well as needles of the juniper berry plant which, in the past, was employed for warding off witches and burned together with rosemary for disinfecting purposes.
There are numerous household cleaning products as well as air fresheners that have juniper essential oil in them due to the fact that the clear-colored oil boasts of a sweet, woody and somewhat fruity scent. It’s also a staple ingredient in numerous aromatherapy blends, massage oils and personal care items.
According to studies, there are nearly a hundred active compounds in juniper berry essential oil, such as those that pack antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s for this reason why the fragrant oil is commonly used by traditional healers in dealing with an assortment of health problems, from a weakened immune system to various skin conditions brought about by bacteria and fungi.
Let us take a quick look at some of the most impressive health benefits of juniper berry essential oil:
It Relieves Bloating
Juniper berry essential oil has mild diuretic properties — it encourages the kidneys to produce more urine. This is exactly the reason why it is usually used for putting bloating to an end. It’s also due to the diuretic properties of juniper berry essential oil why it may be beneficial for those with hypertension or high blood pressure.
It Cures UTI
Other than promoting the kidneys to produce more urine, juniper berry essential oil is also commonly employed for treating a urinary tract infection or UTI. As earlier mentioned, the nice-smelling oil has antimicrobial properties. Due to this, it helps kill off bacteria in the urinary system as well as flushes them out.
It Boosts Digestion
One of the usual traditional uses of juniper berry essential oil is for the improvement of digestion. It is said to help enhance the breakdown of protein and fats, as well as facilitate the absorption of nutrients in food. Since it boosts the process of digestion, juniper berry essential oil also helps ward off GI tract distress.
It Relieves Acid Reflux
Speaking of GI distress, do you suffer from nausea and heartburn after having a large meal or the consumption of greasy or spicy foods? It’s called acid reflux, and it’s something that can be relieved with juniper berry essential oil. It can be mixed with coconut oil or any other carrier oil, and massaged on the abdominal area for instant relief.
It Eases Muscle Pain
Adding a few drops of juniper berry essential oil to the carrier oil of your choice allows you to obtain something that you can massage on painful and swollen muscles for a side effect-free relief. That’s because of the superb analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties juniper berry essential oil possesses.
It Also Relaxes the Mind
The lovely smell of juniper berry essential oil is actually capable of relaxing your mind. It’s exactly for this reason why you may take a whiff of it each time you are having an anxiety attack. With the help of a diffuser, you can fill the room with the fragrance of juniper berry essential oil to help reduce your stress levels considerably.
It Combats Insomnia
Similarly, you may take advantage of juniper berry essential oil if you are suffering from insomnia. Again, it’s for the fact that the oil with a very pleasing smell can help relax the mind. Other than using a diffuser, you may simply place a few drops of it on your pillows. Many say that the essential oil also helps keep scary dreams at bay!
It Fights Skin Aging Signs
Applying a mixture of a couple of drops of juniper berry essential oil and some olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil on your face helps slow down the aging of skin. Also, the essential oil’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it very effective against acne and many other skin conditions.
