Juniperberry

Botanical Name:                   Juniperus communis
Synonym:                              Nil
Botanical Family:                  Cupressaceae
Country of Origin:                Native to Northern Hemisphere: Siberia, Scandinavia, Hungary, France, Italy, Balkans, Canada
Plant Part:                              Ripe, dried berries
Extraction Method:               Steam distilled
Characteristics:                    Clean, refreshing and slightly woody
Properties:                             
Antiseptic, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, astringent, carminative, depurative, rubefacient, stimulating, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vulnerary
Chemical Constituents:       α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, α–phellandrene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, 1,4-cineole, β-phellandrene, p-cymene, terpinene-4-ol, bornyl acetate, cayophyllene, limonene, camphor, linalool, linalyl acetate, borneol, nerol.

Indications:
 
Mind & Spirit:                                   
	
Strengthens the nerves
	
Has a calming effect and eases stress
	
Purifies the atmosphere
	
Emotionally cleansing.
 
Body:                         
	
Relieves aches and pains
	
Detoxifying, purifies the blood
	
Beneficial for arthritis, sciatica, gout and rheumatism and cystitis
	
Regulates periods and appetite
	
Helpful for acne, blocked pores, dermatitis, weeping eczema, psoriasis and swelling.
 
Contraindications:                
Avoid if kidney disease exists, or if pregnant (it can trigger labour).  May be slightly irritating.  Non toxic.
Note:                                      Middle
Odour Intensity:                    Un-referred
Blends well with:                  
Bergamot, cypress, fennel, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, orange, lavender, lemongrass, lemon, lime, peppermint, rosemary, sandalwood
 
Traditions:                 
Juniper berries were used by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to ward off infections.  It guarded against the plague in Tibet and the medics of Greece, Rome and Arabia valued it for its antiseptic properties.  In England juniper was burnt to scare off witches or demons.  It was also used as a cure for bites by herbalists in the 15th and 16th century.  Today the berries are commonly used to flavour gin.