Juniper bushes can be found in Eastern Europe, Bulgaria, Hungary, also in Western Europe France and Spain and ina North Amerika - Canada.
This evergreen shrub grows up to 6 metres tall. It has dark green or blue needles and small flowers and berries. The berries change colour over the first few years of growth. They start off green, but after a year or two, they turn black.
Juniper is used to flavour food and drink and is the characteristic aroma in gin.
Juniper berry oil (Juniperus communis) has been known since ancient times as a very strong antiseptic and diuretic. It is traditionally used to help with urinary infections, respiratory problems, stomach complaints and contagious diseases.
It is currently in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for rheumatic pain and cystitis.
Used by therapists for oily and congested skin, acne and also very dry skin conditions. It is popular in acne treatments designed for adolescent boys, as they to prefer the refreshing and woody aroma to other more feminine smells.
Juniper berry oil has many properties, some of which are very beneficial to the skin. The antiseptic quality of the oil is very good for helping oily, spot-prone and acne skins.
We make our juniper berry water with pure juniper berry oil dispersed in water.
Juniper berry possesses stimulant, diuretic as well as potent antiseptic properties, especially when it acts in the urinary tract. The berries as well as medications prepared with their extract are extremely effective for the treatment of cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder). While the herbal medication is useful in alleviating fluid withholding, but needs to be kept away from by anyone who is already suffering from any kidney ailment. Juniper actually has a balmy and settling effect on the digestive system. In addition, this herb also alleviates pain in the abdomen and bowels, while promoting the functioning of the stomach. Juniper berries have demonstrated positive results in the treatment of lung disorders as an effective expectorant and decongestant. Either used internally or topically, medications prepared with juniper berry extract are effective in treating medical conditions, such as gout, rheumatism as well as persistent arthritis. When watered down juniper essential oil is used topically, it provides a somewhat warming result on the skin and is believed to help in getting rid of the waste products from the tissues lying beneath the skin. In addition, juniper berry and medications prepared with its extract encourages menstruation as well as augments the menstrual flow.
Essential oil:
LOTION: Prepare a lotion with the essential oil extracted from the juniper berries by blending five drops of the oil with 50 ml each of rosewater and witch hazel. This lotion is effective for oily skin conditions as well as treating acne.
CHEST RUB: Blend 10 drops of essential oil from juniper berries and an equal portion of thyme oil with 20 ml of almond oil to prepare a diluted chest rub. This chest rub may be used to treat chronic and obdurate coughs.
OIL: You may add five drops of the juniper essential oil in your bath water for topical application to treat gout, arthritic and muscle pains.
MASSAGE OIL: Water down 10 drops of juniper essential oil in 5 ml of almond oil to prepare massage oil that is applied topically on joints affected by arthritis.
Cade oil:
OINTMENT: Prepare an ointment by blending 10 drops of juniper cade oil with 20 ml of any liquefied ointment base. When the ointment cools, apply it topically for treating psoriasis or chronic and scaling eczema.
HAIR RINSE: Add 10 drops of juniper cade oil to 500 ml of hot water and blend it properly to prepare a hair rinse to treat psoriasis impinging on the scalp. Apply this herbal hair rinse and leave it for about 15minutes and then rinse your hair comprehensively.
Pounded juniper berries, whether fresh or dried, are superb for marinating meats or conserving them to be served cold. In fact, the aroma as well as the resinous essence of juniper berries contributes to the delight of beef, goose, pork, pickled fish, wild game, casseroles, pate, stuffing, gravies and even energetic vegetable delicacies like sauerkraut.
You may pulverize dehydrated juniper berries in a pepper grinder and use it as a substitute for pepper. You may use the ground juniper berries in recipes where you usually season the dishes with garlic, rosemary, marjoram or other fragrant herbs. However, it is essential that you use the powdered juniper berries cautiously in culinary, as it has a potent flavor.
Additionally, you may smolder juniper wood to add essence as well as treat smoked meats and fish. As mentioned earlier, juniper berries are also used by the liqueur industry to add flavor to gin and other alcoholic beverages
PACKING:
Traditional production of essential oils
