Juniper Oil

Juniper Essential Oil

Juniper essential oil has a crisp, fresh and slightly woody fragrance. The scent is similar to pine, but with more pepper to it. Soap makers and aromatherapists find this oil a great addition to many of their formulas, especially ones meant to treat acne, oily skin, dermatitis, weeping eczema and other inflammatory skin ailments. Juniper is also useful for easing the pain of arthritis and regulating the menstrual cycle. This oil is known to calm the nerves, ease tension and build confidence when dealing with challenging situations. The therapeutic properties of juniper oil include antiseptic, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent and diuretic. It is helpful in the treatment of fluid retention and cellulite.

The best quality juniper oil is steam distilled from the berries of the juniper berry shrub, though it may also be extracted from the needles and wood. The oil is thin and usually colorless, though it may have a slight yellowish-green tinge. Juniper essential oil lends a pleasant middle note to a variety of formulas and blends well with many other oils. Here are a few recipes that feature juniper oil that you may like to try.

Macho Soap

30 oz olive oil
10 oz palm oil
10 oz coconut oil
16 oz distilled water
7 oz lye

At trace:

1 oz juniper essential oil
½ oz cedarwood atlas essential oil
½ oz sandalwood essential oil
½ oz Bay Oil>

Pour lye into water and cool to 110 degrees. Heat carrier oils to 110 degrees, turn off the heat, but keep stirring until solid oils are melted. Pour lye/water mixture into oils. Bring to trace and add the essential oils. Pour into mold, cover and let sit undisturbed for 24 hours. Remove from mold, slice and cure for four weeks.

Cellulite Soap

4 oz jojoba oil
8 oz olive oil
2.4 oz coconut oil, 76 degree
1.6 oz cocoa butter
1.9 oz lye
6.08 oz water

At trace:

1 oz grapefruit essential oil
1-tablespoon juniper essential oil
1-tablespoon rose geranium essential oil

Pour lye into water. Cool to 110 degrees Heat oils to 110 degrees. Pour lye/water mix into oils. Bring to trace. Add essential oils. Pour into mold, cover and let sit for 24 hours. Remove from mold and cure 3-4 weeks. This makes a 1 pound batch of soap.

Soap to Relieve Cramping and Bloating

19.2 oz coconut oil
9.6 oz flax seed oil
22.4 oz olive oil
12.8 oz palm oil
9.6 oz lye
23 oz water

At trace:

1 oz bergamot essential oil
1 oz clary sage essential oil
1 oz juniper essential oil

Pour lye in water and allow to cool to 95 degrees. Combine oils and warm to 95 degrees. Add lye/water mixture to oils. Stir or use stick blender to trace. Add essential oil. Pour into greased mold and allow to sit for 24 hours. Remove from mold and cut into 24 bars. Let cure for 3 weeks. This makes 4 lbs of soap.

After Sports Rub

2 drops lavender essential oil
1-drop juniper essential oil
1-drop rosemary essential oil

Add essential oils to 4 teaspoons of jojoba oil. Stir gently. Apply to sore muscles.