Desert Juniper Essential Oil
July 12, 2011 | Posted in: Herbs & Essential Oils
Source: Utah wilderness, USA
Distillation: Steam distilled wild twigs and berries; this artisan distills in co-creation with the nature spirits
Botanical name: Juniperus monosperma
A tree from the desert southwest, juniper has been a medicine for the Navajo for many generations. It has served to treat headaches, nausea, flu, acne, spider bites, and postpartum pain.
Considered a sacred tree, the Navajo use juniper for many ceremonial purposes, including as an emetic during the five–night sings, and for making ceremonial smudges and objects.
The dried berries are used to make bracelets for children, called ghost beads, which are worn at night to prevent nightmares. Juniper has also been used as a cradleboard canopy, in wedding baskets, and as good luck tokens. Its berries are cooked into traditional foods, and the ash water from juniper serves as baking powder and flavoring for corn dishes.
In traditional herbalism, juniper berries are used primarily for bladder and urinary tract infections, stones, and kidney troubles. This oil is mild enough to be used for this purpose in a semi-homeopathic preparation, without concern of putting strain on the kidneys.
Juniper alkalinizes the blood, and detoxifies lymph and circulatory systems.
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