Synergy Series: Juniper Berry and Clary Sage

As a mother of a toddler I am always turning to my essential oils for relief during times of temper tantrums or irritability. My little one would often times become upset when it came to that point in the evening when the lights needed to be turned off. He was happy as a clam taking his bath and reading stories but the dark was not a very comfortable place for him and he would fights us on bedtime repeatedly unless we left the light on for the duration of the night. This was not a very economical solution to his nighttime fear and so I decided to test out a few of my favorite essential oils on this particular situation. Before turning in for the night I would mist Liam’s bedding with Juniper Berry essential oil, a known kidney tonic this oil helps to dispel worries or frights related to the night. It has a lovely scent reminiscent of crisp fall evenings in the evergreen forests. Next I would place 2-3 drops of Clary Sage essential oil on his spine immediately after bath time and about 20 minutes before lights out. This particular oil encourages a sedative mindset and releases any anxiety or depression. This powerful combination was soon known around our home as Liam’s special sleep blend. The synergetic aroma wafted around his room and created a safe space in which he could fall asleep. Scents and smells are like memories, they carry a message and our bodies respond either positively or negatively to certain aromas. In this case Liam’s body responded with ease and comfort, a few stories later Liam was tucked in and on his way to dream land. Sleep is something we all need and lack of this element can bring on disease and illness quite quickly. If you know anyone suffering from insomnia or fears related to nighttime have them look into an application featuring Clary Sage and Juniper Berry essential oils. Beware of Clary Sage’s strongly sedative properties and never apply to an intoxicated individual. Please use caution when applying any and all essential oils to children, as you may not yet know how their bodies will react to the chosen oils. Swing by the spa for a fabulous back massage featuring these two essential oils and head into the infrared sauna after for a double dose of anxiety busting therapy. Just be prepared to take a long nap after you get home.

By Sarah McCallum, Massage Therapist at NLMSC