Juniper, Common Juniperus communis L.

Juniper, Common Essential Oil

Latin Name:  Juniperus communis L.

Source: France

Part of plant: Berries/Twigs

Grade: Organic

Aroma Character: Sweet, woody, balsamic

Blends Well with: Black Pepper, Elemi, Rosemary

Juniper, Common Properties: General stimulant; against rheumatism; diuretic, antiseptic; against colds, expectorant, cough relief.

Juniper, Common Indications: Rheumatism, arthritis, liver-pancreas insufficiency; gallstones, bronchitis, rhinitis.

Juniper, Common Main Components: L-terpinene, alpha-pinene, camphene, cadinene, terpenyl.

Juniper, Common Contraindications, side effects: None known for normal dosage.

Juniper is an evergreen shrub or tree which grows up to 6 metres high. It has small flowers and little round berries, which are green in the first year, turning black in the second and third years.

Juniper played a major medicinal role in many contagious diseases and was used to guard against the plague by fifteenth and sixteenth century herbalists. Juniper and Rosemary twigs were burnt in French hospitals to clear the air and it was looked upon as a cure-all in the former Yugoslavia.