Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition in which white blood cells attack healthy skin cells. This causes new skin cells to move to the outermost layer of skin too quickly, creating scaly, dry, often irritated patches. Juniper oil is thought to help soothe psoriasis because it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Essential Oil Recipes
Juniper oil comes from the cade juniper bush, and is thus also referred to as cade oil. This essential oil can be purchased at health-food and alternative medicine stores. You can add the oil to an ointment base such as petrolatum (Vaseline), lanolin, or Vitamin E skin cream. It's also possible to make your own ointment base: take 30g of agar or Irish moss, mix it with 300ml of distilled water, and bring this mixture to a boil. Cover it and let it boil for two or three minutes. Next, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth. Let it cool. Mix in 60ml of glycerin--you don't have to wait till it's totally cool to do this. When the mixture is completely cool, that's when you add the juniper oil. Whatever ointment base you use, add 10 drops of juniper oil to 20ml of the base, then apply it to your psoriasis plaques.
If a large area of your scalp is affected by psoriasis, make a juniper oil hair rinse. Add 10 drops of oil to 500ml of hot water. Mix well. Apply to the hair, and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse.
Tea Recipes
To make juniper tea, pour one cup of boiling water over one tablespoon of juniper berries. Cover and steep for 10 to 20 minutes. You can drink two cups a day, but don't drink the tea for more than a two-week stretch. After that, you'll need to take some time off before beginning to drink it again. This minimizes the risk of toxic buildup in the body. You can also soak a washcloth in the tea to make a compress.
Collecting Juniper Berries
A good option is to collect your own juniper berries. They'll be the ripest at the end of the summer. Put them on a tray and let them dry outside in sunlight: if you don't have the option of doing this, dry them indoors in an area with good ventilation. When they're completely dry and desiccated-looking, store them in an airtight jar. Use them within a year.
Making Juniper Berry Oil
Soak the berries in a saucepan, using enough water to cover them. Let them sit overnight. In the morning, simmer the mixture for two or three minutes. Strain it through a cheesecloth and discard the berries. Store the oil in an airtight bottle: consider storing it in a squeezable bottle for easy use later.
Juniper and Pregnancy
Don't use juniper oil if you're pregnant or think you may be pregnant: it can stimulate uterine contractions. Talk to your doctor before beginning any herbal remedy for psoriasis.
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