What's So Special About Juniper?


INGREDIENT:

Juniper Berry Essential Oil
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WHAT IS THE FANCY LATIN NAME?

Juniperus communis 

WHERE DOES JUNIPER COME FROM?

Juniper berries grow all over the world, on chubby conifer shrub trees that are part of the pine family. Juniper trees are found mostly in mountainous regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Osmia's juniper essential oil is certified organic and steam-distilled from berries grown in Hungary.                

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What are the aromatherapy benefits of juniper?

Juniper berry essential oil has a woody, warm, fresh, green scent, with a touch of spice and a hint of fruitiness. Juniper oil is used to relieve stress and anxiety, and to help purify the air. It can be used in a vaporizer to clear the air of airborne germs, and to facilitate meditation or prayer. It has strong diuretic capability, and can be useful in treating water retention or edema when working with a trained aromatherapist. We love it in our Water Body Oil, especially leading up to or during the menstrual cycle.

What are the skin benefits of juniper?

Juniper essential oil has a mildly astringent quality, and, like many essential oils, is antiseptic. It is helpful in treating acne (only when properly diluted), and can be effective for alleviating symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, as it helps decrease the irritation and infection that can accompany angry skin. It is very useful in massage therapy, as it is anti-inflammatory and helps mobilize excess fluid from overworked joints and muscles.

FUN FACTS ABOUT JUNIPER: 

  • Juniper “berries” are not actually berries; they are tiny little seed cones, like pinecones! 
  • Juniper is not recommended during pregnancy, and should be used with caution in people with advanced kidney disease
  • The berries have been used for centuries as medicinals by various native cultures – mostly for their “purifying” capabilities. This likely stems from the diuretic effect of juniper, which can be useful in cleansing the kidneys and decreasing leg swelling or edema (also known as "dropsy").
  • The berries are also dried and used as a spice in cooking, and are the main flavor constituent of gin, a name that derives from the French and Dutch words for juniper – genievre and jenever, respectively. (This must be why juniper reminds me of my grandfather – he never missed his 5 o’clock Gin & Tonic, and he lived to be 95! Then again, he also stood on his head for 30 minutes a day until he was 90, so you have to factor that in if you're planning to emulate the man.)

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OSMIA PRODUCTS WITH JUNIPER

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With love and juniper berries,

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OUR WELLNESS + SKINCARE EXPERT

Sarah Villafranco, MD

Dr. Sarah Villafranco attended Georgetown University Medical School, and went on to complete her residency in emergency medicine at George Washington University. She moved to Colorado, where she practiced as a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Aspen Valley Hospital, Snowmass Clinic, and Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, CO. After losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, she took a local soap making class, and fell in love with the chemistry and artistry of making soap. Sarah went into research mode and was alarmed to learn how many potentially harmful ingredients were in most skincare products on the market. She knew she could make better, safer products that were as effective (if not more so) than conventional products. After a few years of research and development, Sarah stepped away from the emergency room to launch Osmia Skincare in April of 2012. She remains a licensed physician in Colorado, and now helps people find healthier, happier skin as CEO of the brand.