As the heat rises on these warm August days, so too do our hemlines. It’s only natural that instead of rushing headlong into the perpetual freon-enriched white-noise hum of air conditioning, we adapt by digging those Daisy Dukes out of the bottom drawer and – gulp – getting outside. The only problem is that some of us are really self-conscious about that ornery dimpling of subcutaneous fat that peppers our hips, stomachs, and thighs — also known as cellulite. Well, in lieu of heading to the spa for overpriced and ineffectual treatments, head to your local health food store and secure some invigorating and aromatic juniper oil to reduce cellulite.

Juniper berry oil has depurative, diuretic, and tonic properties that are both cleansing and invigorating to the lymphatic and circulatory systems. When massaged into the skin, the oil stimulates blood flow which, in turn, cleanses and flushes those near-skin fat stores that are responsible for cellulite. The tonic properties in Juniper can even help restore muscle tone and skin elasticity. Juniper oil has been revered for its health properties since ancient times, and to its ancient users, was most notably effective for treating cystitis and other kidney and bladder ailments—that’s some serious cleansing power.

To treat your cellulite naturally, you’ll want to develop a routine and possibly explore creating your own herbal remedies. Treat the affected area multiple times daily by massaging the juniper oil into the skin in a circular pattern and drinking plenty of water to help the body rid itself of toxins. It’s very easy to order some natural massage oils on the net.

Tip: When massaging the affected area, try reversing the direction of the circles. Begin counter-clockwise and end with clockwise strokes, as this helps encourage a total flushing of the tissue.