Essential Oils: Junipers and Cypress

JUNIPERS: Juniper is known for its antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic, diuretic, anti-infectious, and astringent qualities. The following 7 species of Juniper are native to Arizona. Their environments, appearances, aromas and chemistries vary greatly. While there is a great deal of overlap in the therapeutic uses of these oils, we have attempted to highlight some of their differences.

Alligator Juniper (Juniperus deppeana) essential oil

Alligator Juniper (Juniperus deppeana)
Gathered on the Mogollon Rim, Coconino National Forest (5,000+ elevation). The tree is named for itʼs bumpy textured bark. The needles and berries have a bright and clean, somewhat lemony scent. This Juniper has strong mucolytic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiviral properties. Effective diluted in a blend for a head cold. Should be avoided by those with a sensitivity to camphor.

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Juniper Wood (Juniperus depeanna) essential oil

Alligator Juniper Wood (Juniperus depeanna)
Gathered in the Prescott and Coconino National Forests by George Pynn of NaturalLivingFurniture.com, from long standing dead trees, 500- 1,500 years old (the older the wood, the richer the aroma!). This thick, fixative oil has deep, sweet and smoky notes. It is truly an incense of the Southwest. Sedating, tonifying, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and grounding. Blend with other oils to increase their skin penetration and prolong their aromas.

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Juniper Wood (Juniperus depeanna) essential oil

NEW!!! Lightning Struck Alligator Juniper Wood Oil (Juniperus depeanna)
This batch of Lightning Struck Alligator Juniper wood oil is from a tree that was around 650 years old. Lightning struck wood is prized in many cultural traditions as a talisman for protection and transformation. The oil from this wood is extremely grounding. After all, that is exactly what the tree did for the lightning! The oil has a thick consistency and is just on the edge of being heavier than water. It has a relaxing, warm, smoky aroma, which evokes a feeling of connection to the ancient highlands of the Southwest. Needless to say, this is a finite limited batch!

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Arizona Juniper (Juniperus arizonicus) essential oil

Arizona Juniper (Juniperus arizonicus)
Also known as Redberry juniper. We gather this juniper in Sedona and the Verde Valley (4,000- 5,000 elevation), when fully loaded with berries. The needles and berries have a mildly sweet, but strong turpentine scent. Immune stimulating, anti-inflammatory, antiinfectious. Diluted and apply topically for bladder irritation. Should be avoided by those with a sensitivity to camphor.

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California Juniper (Juniperus californica) essential oil

California Juniper (Juniperus californica)
The needles and berries from this tree contain a relatively high level of citronellol, from western Arizona (4,500 ft. elevation). This juniper has citrus overtones. It is a strong anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal, antiviral, antispasmodic and mucolytic. Perfect in an antifungal blend for aching feet. Should be avoided by those with a sensitivity to camphor.

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Common Juniper (Juniperus communis var. depressa) essential oil

Common Juniper (Juniperus communis var. depressa)
Gathered on the Kaibab Plateau (8,500+ elevation). This low growing juniper is loaded with dark blue berries, and has the distinction of having true needles (all of the other Arizona junipers have scaled needles). The aroma is clean and sparkling. An antiinfectious, rubifacient, analgesic, all purpose juniper. Great for topical use in a massage blend.

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One Seed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma) essential oil

One Seed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma)
Gathered at the Cinder Cones, East of Flagstaff (7,000+ elevation). This juniper is prevalent on the Navajo Reservation and is often burned for ash to be added to corn bread for added minerals. Interestingly enough, itʼs aroma is vegetal and ʻfood likeʼ. Anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, antispasmodic, and tonifying. Dilute and apply topically in a blend with Sand Sage for indigestion. Very low camphor.

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Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) essential oil

Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)
Gathered on the Mogollon Rim (7,000+ elevation). Also known as Weeping Juniper, for itʼs soft branches that hang down. The aroma has minor citrus overtones. Antirheumatic, antiarthritic, and analgesic. Only a trace amount of camphor. An excellent choice to dilute and apply topically for joint pain and stiffness.

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Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) essential oil

Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma)
Gathered mainly in the Sedona area (4,500 ft. elevation). Containing Borneol and Terpinene-4-ol, this juniper has a warm, spicy, long lasting aroma, which increases in sweetness and complexity as it ages. Mucolytic, antitussive, immune stimulating, anti-inflammatory, and antiinfectious. Perfect for a head and chest cold. Dilute and massage into shoulders, neck and chest. Should be avoided by those with a sensitivity to camphor.

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CYPRESS

Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) essential oil

NEW! Arizona Cypress (Cupressus Arizonca)
Collected in Sedona. It is rare for us to be able to distill this oil, as most of the trees are located in protected areas. This is one of the most aromatically powerful oils that we distill. The aroma is green and vegetal, and is clearing to the sinuses. The foliage of this tree is used as a potent herbal anti fungal and anti viral. For external use only! Contains ketones and should not be used by pregnant women and those with neurological sensitivities.

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Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) essential oil

NEW! Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Collected in Sedona. This is another non native species (clearly!) that does well in this region. This EO has a beautiful clarifying aroma, and its therapeutic properties are well known to aromatherapy. It is decongesting for the respiratory system, and tonifying for varicose veins and cellulite.

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