You may see cedar trees and those beautiful evergreen conifer plants. Mostly, they are well known for their durable timber. But these majestic and tall trees have other uses. Some are in the art, perfumery, pesticidal, cosmetic, and essential oil industries.
According to some biblical references, this tree is considered one of the first. So it is no wonder this essential oil from Cedarwood has been with human civilization from the beginning. Today, we will explore the wonders of cedarwood oil and its uses.
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What is Cedarwood Essential Oil?
Cedarwood essential oil is extracted from cedar tree leaves, bark, needles, and berries. The methods used to extract this essential oil are steam, cold pressing, and carbon dioxide. It is widely used worldwide for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties.
There are many types of cedar trees. Several of them are excellent sources of cedarwood essential oil. Chemical composition and uses differ slightly based on which kind of cedar trees produce the oil.
Origin And Cultivation of Cedarwood Essential Oil
The first extraction of cedarwood essential oil occurred in Lebanon. In Sumerian civilization, they named Cedar the “Tree of Life.” They used essential oils from these trees for aromatherapy and health purposes. The ancient Egyptians used cedarwood oil for their ritual purposes.
So now we can understand that cedar is a native tree to Asia Minor and the Mediterranean area. Cedar grows well in well-drained and moist soil. Cedar can survive both in warm and cold environments. It prefers a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius to a moderately warm environment. Lebanon and Japan are the largest producers of cedar trees now.
Nutritional Value of Cedarwood Essential Oil
The major components in cedarwood oil are a-cedrene, b-cedrene, other sesquiterpenes, thujone, and cedrol. Alpha-cedrene and beta-cedrene are two types of cedrene in this oil. Generally, you will find them in synthetic acetyl cedrene, cedryl ketone, epoxy cedrane, cedryl aldehyde, and other essential perfume flavorings.
Cedrol is a kind of alcohol mostly found in cedar trees. Thujopsene is a natural chemical component of this plant.
How is Cedarwood Essential Oil Made?
Cedarwood essential oil is extracted from cypress, juniper, and cedar trees. Producers mostly use extraction, cold pressing, and steam distillation. They use the carbon dioxide extraction process.
In cold pressing, they shred the raw materials at average room temperature. Then, they mix, grind, and compress to take out the essential oil. In the stream distillation process, they inject a hot stream through the raw material. Then, it opens up holes containing oil. Then, they vaporize them and leave them to cool down. In this way, oil separates from water.
Types of Cedarwood Essential Oil
There are numerous kinds of cedar trees in nature. Most can be used for extracting oil. But the most frequent four kinds used as the source of it are
- Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil: Atlas Cedar is an endangered plant. Cultivated Atlas cedarwood is still being used to make essential oil. Atlas Cedarwood is slightly light yellow-colored. Its aroma is sharper than that of Virginian cedar oil. This oil is mainly used for the common cold, arthritis, hair treatment, and acne prevention.
- Virginian Cedarwood Essential Oil: Virginian Cedar is included in the family of Juniper trees. It has a pleasing aroma, like a sharpened pencil. Due to its strong odor, most men use this essential oil. It is also considered a perfect outdoor perfume.
- Chinese Cedarwood Essential Oil: Chinese Cedar is also called Chinese Weeping Cyprus. Due to its light, fresh, and earthly odor, it differs from other Cedarwood essential oils based on aroma. Medicine prescribes Chinese Cedarwood oil for fungal blooms, wart removal, rheumatism, muscular and joint pain, and skin conditions.
- Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil: This oil smells like sandalwood. It is a good tonic for fighting bacteria, curing coughs, regulating menstrual flow, stimulating blood circulation, and healing wounds, muscle aches, and joint pain.
- Texas Cedarwood Essential Oil: Texas Cedar naturally grows in the State of Texas and is called Juniperus Mexicana. It has a sweet and balsamic tree-like smell. People use it primarily for aromatherapy or freshening the room. In some cases, they use it for muscle and joint pain.
Cedarwood Essential Oil at A Glance
| Serial | Features | Description |
| 01 | Botanical Name | Cedrus Atlantica, Cedrus Deodara, Juniperus Mexicana, and Juniperus Virginiana |
| 02 | Plant Family | Pine or Cypress botanical families |
| 03 | Common Method of Extraction | Steam distillation, Cold pressing, and Carbon Dioxide distillation |
| 04 | Plant Part Typically Used | Leaves, Bark, Needles, and Berries of Cedar trees |
| 05 | Color | Golden-yellow to Brown |
| 06 | Consistency | Light to Medium based on which kind of plant is used |
| 07 | Perfumery Note | Woody scent with a slight touch of citrus |
| 08 | Strength of Initial Aroma | Medium to intense, depending on which kind of plant is used |
| 09 | Aromatic Description | Sweet and woody smell (Atlas and Virginian).
Floral and Light (Himalayan and Chinese) Sweet and alike, the Balsamic tree (Texas) |
| 10 | Major Constituents | a-Cedrene, b-Cedrene, other Sesquiterpenes, Thujopsene, and Cedrol |
Incredible Benefits Of Cedarwood Essential Oil
You will find tons of health benefits while using Cedarwood Essential Oil.
1. Diminishes Stress And Anxiety
Cedarwood essential oil is a good sedative and mood enhancer. Its extraordinary odor is widely used for aromatherapy. It has a soothing effect on the nerves, reduces stress, and works on anxiety. Use three to four drops of cedarwood essential oil and diffuse it to inhale.
2. Augments Skin Health
Cedarwood essential oil possesses anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It treats irritations like acne and eczema. The oil also prevents signs of aging and oxidative damage to the skin. It gives glowing and radiant skin.
3. Promotes Hair Growth
This essential oil stimulates blood circulation on the scalp. Besides, by stimulating blood, it promotes hair growth. This oil will also help your follicles be substantial, meaning no more hair falls.
4. Relieves Pain And Inflammation
This essential oil is a natural vasodilator. It has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. You can liquefy it with a carrier oil like sweet coconut, almond, jojoba, or olive oil and gently massage it into the area concerned.
5. Remedies Respiratory Anomalies
This oil can be a good medicine for nasal congestion and reducing chest pain. It helps terminate excess catarrh deposits and free you from nasal congestion. Besides, it is helpful for asthma, sore throat, bronchitis, and pharyngitis.
6. Corrects Spasms
Cedarwood essential oil treats spasms that create difficulties in the heart, nerves, respiratory system, muscles, and intestine. If you encounter sleeping issues due to respiratory seizures or restless legs, you will find comfort in using this oil.
7. Stimulates Menstrual Flow
It stimulates blood circulation to the lower part of the body, or abdomen. This stimulation will help to have a regular menstrual cycle. You must add 12 drops of Cedarwood essential oil to a carrier oil and gently massage the body’s pelvic area for effective results.
8. Repels Insects
Cedarwood essential oil is a proven repellent to moths and common insects. But it hardly works appropriately on mosquitoes. But if you reside in a mountainous area, this repellent will prevent other insects like moths, ants, bees, fleas, and gnats from entering your house.
9. Hair tonic
Its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties help to get rid of dandruff. Besides, it promotes hair growth and reduces hair fall. Mix 2-3 drops of Cedarwood essential oil with two tablespoons of carrier oil. After massaging it correctly, leave it for 10 minutes before washing. For more effective results, mix rosemary and lavender with this.
10. Sleeping aid
It has a soothing ability. If you face occasional insomnia, you will get a good result using this essential oil. Add a few drops of Cedarwood oil to hot water and bathe before bed.
11. Acne
This oil has antimicrobial compounds. In some tests, researchers proved that adding a few drops of Cedarwood essential oil to your regular anti-acne cream or ointment works better. Besides, you can pour cotton into this oil and apply it to the acne area. Then, leave it for 10 to 15 minutes before washing your face.
12. Arthritis
If you are facing sore muscles or stiffness due to arthritis, you can use Cedarwood essential oil. Mix 1 ounce of carrier oil with ten drops of essential oil. Massage this blend in the area where it is stored.
13. Bronchitis
Anyone can treat acute bronchitis very quickly at home with some DIY remedies. You should try five drops of Cedarwood essential oil with 30 ml of sweet almond oil. Then, take the vapor of this solution. But if you do not get the result within three weeks, you should visit a medical practitioner.
14. Cystitis
This term means having inflammation of the bladder. You may know this as a urinary tract infection, or UTI. People get the infection from bacterial attacks. Thanks to the anti-bacterial capability of Cedarwood essential oil, it is an easy tonic to treat UTI. Add 4 to 6 drops of this essential oil to a tablespoon of milk or carrier oil. Then mix it with your bath water.
15. Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a regular skin irritation that can cause rashes, itchiness, and dry skin. Skin will turn out to be crusty or flaky. Using Cedarwood essential oil on damaged skin can repair your skin.
16. Alopecia
Alopecia means hair loss. This disease can happen not only to your hair but also to the rest of your body. It can be temporary or permanent. You should add ten drops of Cedarwood essential water to two tablespoons of any carrier oil and apply it to the area of this disease.
17. Oil for Cellulite
It is also known as orange-peel skin. Generally, some fat cells push against the skin and make dimples. Even though they are harmful, they make your appearance worse. Add a few drops of Cedarwood oil to your standard massage ointment, then apply it to the damaged skin.
18. Eyebrow Growth
Regular application of Cedarwood essential oil helps to balance the gland on the forehead that produces natural oils. Additionally, it stimulates circulation in the mentioned area. In this way, it makes it more favorable to grow eyebrows.
19. Growing Beard
It will not help if your follicles have already stopped working. But if you have an uneven beard, then it can aid you in growing a beard in those areas. Adding a grain of salt with Cedarwood essential oil, especially the Atlas one, would be best. Then, use it in the uneven area.
20. Keloids
A keloid scar is a thick and deep scar. It can occur due to any skin injury. Primarily, this scar develops in the earlobes, shoulders, cheeks, or chest. If your skin is prone to generating keloid scars, massage those injured areas with Cedarwood essential oil mixed with a carrier oil.
21. Oily Scalp
This essential oil can absorb excess oil on your scalp. Mix 1-2 drops of Cedarwood essential oil with carrier oil and massage it on your scalp before bathing. Further, you can mix Cedarwood oil with shampoo, which is natural and fragrance-free.
How can it be used?
- When to Inhale It: You must mix nearly 2–10 drops of Cedarwood essential oil with water based on your purpose. Then, vaporize it and inhale.
- When to Apply It: You can apply Cedarwood oil to the skin, hair, scalp, muscles, and joints. You cannot directly apply this oil. You have to dilute a tiny portion of it with carrier oil. You can blend it with milk. In some cases, you can combine it with your shampoo.
- When to Massage it: Cedarwood oil is used to massage arthritis, joint pain, and sore muscles. You should incorporate this essential oil with another carrier oil. You may heat the solution before massaging.
- When to Sprinkle it: Sprinkling of Cedarwood oil is helpful for aromatherapy. Add this essential water to an atomizer bottle before sprinkling. You can use lavender for more soothing effects.
- When to bathe: It is used with bath water to treat urinary tract infections or cystitis medically. Mix 4-6 drops of Cedarwood essential oil into bath water before bathing.
Precautions Before Using Cedarwood Essential Oil
Among all these essential oils, cedarwood oil may be the one to have the most negligible side effects. It is safe to use.
- You must dilute the cedarwood oil with a carrier oil.
- Long-term exposure to this oil can be fatal. So, use it in the prescribed manner.
What Are the Side Effects or Concerns With Using Cedarwood Oil?
There are not that many side effects found for Cedarwood oil. A laboratory test on mice had occurred. They found that high dosages and prolonged usage of cedarwood oil caused toxicity in their liver and lungs. So beware of the dosage.
Secondly, this oil is mildly heavy. So, direct usage of this oil can cause irritation, redness, and itchiness to your skin. So you must dilute it with some light carrier oil.
Thirdly, this is not cooking oil. So, consuming this oil is prohibited. So, never swallow cedarwood oil.
Some interesting facts about cedar oil
Here are some fun facts about this essential oil:
- It is not only being used for medical purposes. In ancient Egypt, they used this essential oil in their rituals.
- The ancient Sumerians called this cedar tree “The Tree of Life.”
- Cedarwood oil is just collected from the trees. Juniper and cypress trees are also good sources of this essential oil.
- This oil has a remarkable shelf life. It will last for 6 to 8 years, depending on the environment.
- There are a lot of kinds of cedar trees out there. Surprisingly, most of them produce essential oils. They all have their unique color, scent, and usability.
- Generally, Cedarwood’s smell lasts for 3–7 years. It is pretty famous for its odor. So, it would be no surprise that the Cedarwood essential oil perfume will outlast any perfume you find.
- The most essential oil is a natural repellant for mosquitoes. But cedarwood essential oil repels moths and snakes.
- Among all essential oils, cedarwood essential oil may be one of the few that has sedation abilities.
Final Thought
The International Union for Conservation of Nature announced Cedarwood as an endangered species. But still, there is a massive demand for this essential oil due to its spectacular benefits. For this reason, organizations relating to natural life give the green light to produce this oil.
But the condition is that the trees used for these industrial purposes should be harvested. This essential oil is very different from all other essential oils in many spheres. It has some unique features you will not find in other essential oils.
