Salt Rub and Restorative Bath
This two-step routine comprises a salt rub treatment for sloughing off dead skin cells, softening the skin and improving circulation, followed by a tonic bath to revitalise you, from head to toe.
- Begin by moistening your body under a lukewarm shower - or a cold shower if you are hardy. Turn off the water, then take a handful of coarse sea salt and rub it all over your body, but avoid the more sensitive skin of your face. Now rinse off the salt under the shower.
- Run a warm bath, then add 300ml of cider vinegar and 6 drops of pure juniper berry essential oil. Lie back and relax for 15-20 minutes. Cider vinegar relieves aching muscles, soothes any skin irritation and is generally restorative, especially when it is combined with the tonic properties of juniper berry.
Woods and Dappled Sunlight Body Lotion
Use this lotion when you want to feel calm and yet energised too.
50ml base or unperfumed body lotion
8 drops juniper berry oil
4 drops rose otto or palmarosa oil
4 drops sandalwood oil
6 drops cedarwood oil
Add the oils to the body lotion, then shake well until mixed thoroughly.
Juniper Tonic Body Oil
After your bath, smooth this into your newly softened skin or use it as a massage blend.
15ml sweet almond oil
2 drops juniper oil
4 drops bergamot oil
1 drop clary sage oil
1 drops lavender oil
Carrot and Juniper Mask
Applied as a mask, carrots clear blemishes and soften rough patches of skin, leaving it silky smooth with a healthy glow. Brewer's yeast is included in the recipe because of its deep cleansing and revitalising action on the skin. Powdered brewer's yeast is available from good chemists or health stores. Combined with the antiseptic and astringent actions of juniper berry oil, this treatment is especially beneficial for spotty skin.
2 small carrots, peeled, boiled and mashed
2-3 tsp brewer's yeast powder
1-2 tsp natural yoghurt
5 ml sweet almond oil
2 drops juniper berry oil
In a small bowl, combine the ingredients, using enough brewer's yeast and yoghurt to form a thick paste. After cleansing your skin, apply the paste to your face and neck, avoiding the delicate skin around the eyes. Lie back and relax for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water.
Tired Leg Massage Oil
Massage this oil into your legs after exercise or simply to revive them after standing or sitting for hours. Vitamin E may help prevent thread and varicose veins by strengthening the capillaries.
50ml grapeseed oil
4 contents of vitamin E capsules
5 drops juniper berry oil
5 drops cypress oil
5 drops frankincense oil
5 drops rose otto or geranium oil
Put the grapeseed oil into a 50ml dark glass bottle. Pierce the vitamin E capsules and squeeze the contents into the bottle. Add the essential oils and shake well.
Juniper Candle
This is ideal for getting rid of the smell of tobacco or other unpleasant odours and freshens the air without imposing too strong a fragrance. Stearin, candle dye and paraffin wax can all be bought at craft shops.
You will need:
40g stearin
purple candle dye
400g paraffin wax
25 drops juniper berry oil
1 white pillar candle
10cm square plastic storage box
Put the stearin in the top is a double boiler over hot water with a small quantity of purple dye. Once the mixture has melted, add the paraffin wax and stir until completely melted.
Remove from the heat and stir in the juniper berry oil. Cool slightly, then pour the melted wax into the storage box. Carefully lower the candle into the centre of the wax. Leave the candle to set in the fridge. Unmould when it has fully hardened.
Juniper Venison with Honey and Mustard
Because venison is so low-fat (and so healthy) it only needs quick cooking.
You will need:
4 x 175g venison fillet steaks
2 tsp juniper berries, crushed
salt and black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp clear honey
2 tbsp dijon mustard
8 tbsp whipping cream
1 tbsp parsley
- Rub the steaks with the crushed juniper berries and season. Heat the oil and fry the steaks for 2-4 minutes each side, pressing them down as they first go in the pan. Remove and keep warm.
- Discard any oil and stir the honey, mustard and cream into the pan. Cook gently for 1 minute, stirring, until thickened. Pour over the steaks. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.