Juniper (Juniperus communis L.)

Juniper (Juniperus communis L.)

Updated 17 January 2024

Botanical characteristics

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Division: Spermatophyta 
  • Class: Pinatea
  • Order: Pinales
  • Family: Cupressaceae 
  • Genus: Juniperus
  • Part used: Branches and berries
  • Country of origin: Austria, France, Eastern Europe

Precautions for use

Caution, it is prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and young children.

Juniper essential oil is irritating to the skin: it should be diluted in vegetable oil when applied to the skin and any use of this essential oil should be in low doses and for short periods.

It is contraindicated in hormone-dependent cancers and is not recommended for kidney inflammation, nephritis or renal failure.

Finally, it contains 4% limonene, a biochemical allergenic component.

Other precautions

Warning:

  • Consult a doctor before use in people with asthma and epilepsy (epileptogenic at high doses).

Cutaneous use:

  • Juniper essential oil is irritating to the skin and should be diluted 20% in vegetable oil (20% essential oil with 80% vegetable oil) before application to the skin.

Diffusion:

  • This pure essential oil should not be diffused but diluted to 20% with other essential oils.

Contraindications:

  • The use of this essential oil should be in small doses and for a short period of time.
  • Juniper essential oil is forbidden in the case of hormone-dependent cancerous lesions (breast, ovaries, uterus, prostate) and is not recommended in the case of kidney inflammation, nephritis or kidney failure.
  • Oral intake of essential oil should be done with a support: honey, bread, sugar, which dilutes the essential oil.
  • Attention, the essential oil by mouth has nephrotoxicity in case of overdose and prolonged use.

Allergenic components:

Juniper essential oil contains several biochemical allergenic components:

  • Limonene (≤ 6%)
  • Linalool (≤ 0.5%)

Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).

Authorised users

 Adults and adolescents

Children under 6 years

 Pregnant and breastfeeding women

 Pregnant women younger than 3 months

 Infants under 3 years old

How to use

 Inhalation

 Cutaneous

 Oral

 Diffusion

Risks of use

 Skin irritation

 Respiratory irritant
 Pure Dermocautic
 Hormone-like

 Properties

  • Anti-inflammatory, analgesic (slightly weaker than mountain juniper) 
  • Diuretic, interesting detoxifier
  • Antiseptic, antiputrid
  • Anti-catarrhal, expectorant
  • Antispasmodic
  • Stimulates blood circulation, venous decongestant 
  • Regulates the autonomic nervous system

Indications

Directions for use/usual dosage

  • Rub into painful areas (joints, muscles) several times a day. We recommend a 30% dilution in a vegetable oil (arnica, calendula, etc.).
  • Kidney activity can be stimulated by massaging the lower back and the soles of the feet, diluting the EO between 5 and 10% in a vegetable oil.
  • Juniperus communis EO helps to eliminate excess water, particularly during the premenstrual cycle. It can be massaged twice a day (diluted in a vegetable oil) in equal parts with other EOs (Cupressus sempervirens, Citrus limon) or diluted in bath salts and added to the bath to reduce cellulite and water retention. When massaged into a vegetable oil or diluted on a carrier in the bath, it enhances the detoxification process.
  • For skin infections (eczema or acne), this essential oil can be applied to the wound with a cotton bud.

Cosmetic

  • Juniperus communis essential oil can be used as part of a facial treatment for oily skin, mixed with Lavandula officinalis (true lavender) and Citrus Limon (lemon) essential oils in vegetable oil (jojoba, hazelnut or macadamia).
  • You can also add a few drops of Juniperus communis montana essential oil to your shampoo to slow down hair loss.

Cooking

  • Nowadays, juniper berries are known for their use as a seasoning in cooking, especially in sauerkraut, and are easily combined with bay leaves, garlic, oregano, thyme and fennel. They are often used in rich, heavy dishes to aid digestion. They can also be used to flavour game marinades, terrines, various broths and stews. When macerated in brandy, juniper berries make a famous liqueur known as gin.

Interior use

  • Only diffuse with other essential oils for a relaxing effect.

Find out more

  • There are two essential oils of juniper, one extracted from the berries and another from the twigs, sometimes a mixture of the two as in this case.
  • About 1.5kg of essential oil is obtained from 100kg of berries.
  • Only common juniper (Juniperus communis) and mountain juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus) are edible.