California Juniper Hydrosol

Juniper (Juniperus californica) hydrosol is useful for oily skin and for hair and scalp care. It helps balance sebum production and helps clean the scalp. Juniper is air cleansing and purifying. Diffused into the air it can help kill airborne germs. Juniper berry is calming to the emotions without being a sedative. It's often used spiritually for meditation and prayer.

I steam distilled my juniper berry hydrosol from trees grown in the shadow of Mt. Shasta at 3500 feet elevation. These trees have been here for hundreds of years and have weathered the most extreme conditions of harsh cold winters and years of California droughts. Many herbalists believe that desert plants that thrive in demanding environments are more powerful.

First, I crush the berries and then slow distill them in a hybrid stainless steel/copper still. The aroma is woody with citrus and fruit-like notes. It's very aromatic, its overall impression is fresh and crisp.

WINTER FREEZE WARNING: Hydrosol will freeze. If you live in a cold climate, please make sure hydrosols won't be sitting in the weather or cold mailbox for long periods of time.