Cedarwood Essential Oil
Essential Oils News
What about Cedarwood Essential Oil?
Latin Name:
Juniperus virginiana
Where does it grow indigenously?
Juniperus virginiana — its common names include red cedar, eastern red-cedar, eastern red cedar, Virginian juniper, eastern juniper, red juniper, pencil cedar, and aromatic cedar — is a species of Juniper native to eastern North America from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and east of the Great Plains. Cedarwood is basically native to cold climates and is normally found at high altitudes.
What has been the historical use?
The ancient Egyptians used cedarwood oil to embalm, for perfumery and in cosmetics; the ancient Greeks also used cedarwood oil to preserve bodies as they believed it helped to make one immortal. It is thought that the Lebanon cedar tree may have been the original cedarwood tree that was used as cedarwood oil in ancient times. Its fragrance was useful as an insect, ant and moth repellent; it was also used greatly as a source for building materials.
In the Far East, cedarwood oil was used as a preservative too, in addition as a remedy for treating urinary tract and bronchial infections; cedarwood was also used as an incense. The Tibetans used cedarwood in traditional medicine and as an incense in temples and is still used today.
Over the last 100 years, cedarwood’s beneficial effect on eczema, skin eruptions and disease has been noted, and it is highly valued in dermatology.
In 1698, Nicolas Lemery mentioned the therapeutic nature of the resinous matter, describing it as a urinary and pulmonary antiseptic. Later research confirmed the therapeutic properties of the oil, and doctors Michel and Gilbert in France recorded in 1925 the good results obtained in cases of chronic bronchitis, and its tonic and stimulant properties.
Over the last 100 years, cedarwood’s beneficial effect on eczema, skin eruptions and disease has been noted, and it is highly valued in dermatology. For eczema and rashes, add 8 drops of cedarwood oil to 20 ml (4 tsp) wheatgerm oil. Apply three to four times daily.
Cedarwood has a very therapeutic action on the scalp in cases of alopecia, falling hair and dandruff. In France, it is included in commercial shampoos and hair lotions for alopecia. For any loss of hair – for both men and women, whether after illness, or during stress or pregnancy cedarwood can be very helpful. If you have fair hair, use cedarwood with discretion. The oil has a tendency to darken the hair color.
Cedarwood essences, wood, wood shavings or powders were used in early potpourris and anti-moth bags. Many expensive fish are smoked over cedarwood.
What are the benefits of this essential oil?
Promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing
Soothes skin
Repels bugs naturally
Blends Well With:
Cedarwood blends well with Bergamot, Clary Sage, Cypress, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Juniper Berry, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Vetiver and Ylang Ylang
Emotional Benefits:
"Cedarwood is called the Oil of Community.
Cedarwood brings people together to experience the strength and value of community. Those in need of Cedarwood struggle to for bonds within social groups. This can often be due to an over-developed sense of individuality. Rather than allowing onceself to be supported by family, friends or a community, they live by excessive self-reliance. On the other hand, the individual’s difficulty forming social roots may also stem from feeling disconnected and separate from the human family.
Cedarwood inspires the feeling of belonging and assists the heart in opening to receive the love and support of other people. It invites the strong willed individual to couple the strength of individuality with the supportive power of community.
Cedarwood supports individuals in seeing that they are not alone; life is a shared experience. Cedarwood also assists in opening the awareness of individuals to the support system already available to them, such as friends or family that have been overlooked. It invites individuals to both give and receive so they may experience the strength of groups and the joy of relationships.
Emotions addressed: Inability to form bonds or social roots, loneliness, feeling disconnected or separate from the human family, antisocial.”
From “Emotions and Essential Oils – A Modern Resource for Healing” Emotional Reference Guide; Second Edition.
Published Scientific Clinical Studies:
Main Chemical Component:
α-cedrene, cedrol, thujosene
The chief components of Cedarwood Essential Oil are Alpha Cedrene, Beta Cedrene, Cedrol, Widdrol, Thujopsene and a group of Sesquiterpenes, which contribute a great deal to its medicinal value and health benefits.
Published Scientific Studies:
On PubMed.gov* there are 151 published clinical studies about the use ofCedarwood essential oil.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=cedarwood+essential+oil
AromaticScience has these studies about the uses of Cedarwood Essential Oil:
http://www.aromaticscience.com/category/cedarwood/
* PubMed comprises over 25 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLiNE, life science journals, and online books. PubMed citations and abstracts include the fields of biomedicine and health, covering portions of the life sciences, behavioral sciences, chemical sciences, and bioengineering. PubMed also provides access to additional relevant web sites and links to the other NCBI molecular biology resources.
Caution:
There are different varieties of Cedar and Juniper. Eastern Red Cedar, or Juniperus Virginiana, is considered a non-toxic species of Juniper, though it does contain some level of toxins. Partaking of extremely large amounts of the plant or consuming its essential oil could lead to acute poisoning, although rare, which might include abortion, vomiting convulsions or death. Most Juniper species are not significantly toxic, and no Native American species are. There are Southern European species of significantly toxic junipers including Juniperus sabina and Juniperus oxycedrus.
Consequently it is important to know the species of Cedarwood oil and to carefully read the label. The oil from Juniperus Virginiana can be ingested, but there were no actual recipes found for internal use.
It should be diluted before topical use because it may produce irritations on the skin if used in high concentrations.
Pregnant women should avoid its use altogether.
Topical Use of Cedarwood Essential Oil
- Before exercising, massage one to two drops into your chest to maintain vitality throughout your workout.
- During your facial routine, add one to two drops of Cedarwood to your facial toner or moisturizer for added clarifying properties.
- After noticing a fresh skin imperfection, directly apply one drop to affected area to immediately improve the appearance.
- When a child wakes up scared, apply to the bottom of feet to return a peaceful feeling.
- Naturally repels insects.
Make a Sleepy Time Rub!
12 drops Cedarwood
12 drops Lavender
6 drops Orange
1/3 Cup coconut oil
Massage on bottoms of feet or back before bedtime.
Relax Tight Muscles Massage Blend
Ingredients
8 drops Lavender essential oil
4 drops Marjoram essential oil
1 drop Cedarwood essential oil
1 drop Chamomile essential oil
1 drop Ginger essential oil
1/4 cup (60ml) carrier oil of your choice such as coconut or or jojoba oil.
Optional: Substitute 1 tablespoon (15ml) borage oil for 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.
Borage oil helps support mobility of joints and tissues.
Using Cedarwood to stimulate Hair Growth
Cedarwood essential oil can stimulate the hair follicles and increase circulation to the scalp. This contributes to hair growth and slows hair loss. Herbalists and aromatherapists have recommended essential oils for years to treat hair loss, thinning hair and various types of alopecia.
There’s evidence that applying cedarwood oil, in combination with the essential oils from thyme, rosemary, and lavender, to the scalp improves hair growth in up to 44 percent for people with hair loss after seven months of treatment.
To do this, add cedarwood oil to your shampoo or conditioner, or just massage the oil into your scalp and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing.
Light Hair Rinse
15 drops Cedarwood
10 drops Lemon
8 ounces Liquid Hair Conditioner
Mix oils in conditioner, shake well. Apply as you would any conditioner after you have rinsed the shampoo from your hair. Best for light-colored hair as it can lighten the hair
Scalp Treatment for Hair Loss
2 drops Cedarwood
4 drops Lavender
1 drop Lemon
2 drops Rosemary
2 drops Melaleuca
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Mix formula together. Massage entire blend into scalp thoroughly. Wrap your head with a towel and relax for one hour. Shampoo and rinse — you may have to do it twice to remove all of the olive oil.
Damaged Hair Treatment
1 drop Cedarwood
3 drops Clary Sage
1 drop Geranium
1 drop Lavender
3 drops Rosemary
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Mix entire formula together.
Massage blend into hair and scalp, make sure you reach all split ends.
Wrap your head with a towel and relax for one hour.
Shampoo and rinse. Be sure to rinse well.
You can also add the formula to an 8 ounce bottle of mild shampoo and use on a regular basis when you wash your hair.
Add to Shampoo and Conditioner to Stimulate Hair Growth
4 drops Cedarwood
4 drops Clary Sage
4 drops Cypress
3 drops Rosemary
4 drops Lavender
Or..
10 drops Cedarwood
10 drops Sandalwood
10 drops Lavender
8 drops Rosemary
Massage into scalp before bed & shampoo out in the morning
3 drops Clary Sage
2 drops Cedarwood
1 drop Rosemary
2 drops White Fir
1 oz. coconut or jojoba oil
Open Loving Massage
2 drops Jasmine
2 drops Orange
4 drops Cedarwood
1 drop Ylang Ylang
1 ounce carrier oil
Mix well and take lots of time with your massage.
Men's Cologne
Many colognes contain synthetic fragrances that can be toxic. Instead, try this homemade men’s cologne recipe. It’s easy to make, and the essential oils provide health benefits while smelling amazing!
Note: Citrus essentials oils are highly concentrated and are full of healthy acidic properties Because of this, I recommend you use glass containers when storing them so they don’t eat away any of the plastic.
Total time: 2 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
3 drops bergamot
2 drops sandalwood
10 oz. 70 percent alcohol or vodka
Glass roll on tube or glass cologne spray bottle
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all ingredients together and store in a bottle.
Internal Use of Cedarwood Essential Oil
Aromatic Use of Cedarwood Essential Oil
Calming Diffuser Blend
2 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Sandalwood
2 drops Orange
California Coast Diffuser Blend
2 drops Frankincense
2 drops Cedarwood
1 drop Rosemary
1 drops Orange
Peaceful Dreams Diffuser Blend
1 drop Cedarwood
1 drop Grounding Blend
1 drop Frankincense
1 drop Vetiver
Sleep Blend #1
4 drops Cedarwood
3 drops Lavender
Sleep Blend #2
1 drop Cedarwood
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Grounding Blend
Sleep Blend #3
2 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Frankincense
Sleep Blend #4
2 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Calming Blend
3 drops Lavender
Wind Down Diffuser Blend
4 drops Lavender
2 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Orange
1 drop Ylang Ylang
No Snoring Room Spray
18 drops Marjoram
12 drops Geranium
12 drops Lavender
8 drops Eucalyptus
5 drops Cedarwood
Combine in a spray bottle.
Must room generously, lightly spray pillow, apply to throat, inhale.
Caution:
Cedarwood Essential Oil in the Home
- Repels bugs naturally.
- Spritz around windows and doors.
- Add to mulch or topsoil to repel insects.
- Place a drop on a cotton ball and place in closets, storage boxes, or other areas to keep moths at bay.
Cedarwood oil has been in use as a mosquito and insect repellent for a long time. When used in a diffuser, it drives away mosquitoes, flies and other insects.around the house. It is regularly sprinkled on pillows or sheets at night so mosquitoes and other similarly irritating bugs and pests are driven away while you sleep.
Dusting Spray:
8 drops Orange
4 drops Cedarwood
4 drops Lemon
1/2 Tbsp liquid castile soap
1/3 cup water
Add ingredients to a glass 4 oz. spray bottle and shake before using.
Forest Air Freshener
50 drops Spruce
25 drops Lavender
25 drops Eucalyptus
20 drops Cedarwood
4 ounces Pure Water
Add all ingredients to a 4 ounce, fine mist, spray bottle.
Shake well before every use.
Liberally spritz room.
Can refill water 4-5 times before you need to redo the oils.
About me...
Hi! My name is Pamela Swamy and when I was first introduced to essential oils in August of 2013, to say I was highly skeptical would be an understatement!
I'm a registered nurse and distrusted anything that was outside the traditional mainstream. But I quickly realized essential oils have benefits far beyond their fragrances! After having some amazing personal experiences, it was not long before I started sharing them with friends and family and continue to do so.
I started these newsletters to help us all learn more ways to use and benefit from our essential oils, I've learned a lot doing the research; I hope you find some value in them too!
There are NO regulatory standards for essential oils and the labels don't always state what is actually inside the bottles. So it is important to purchase them from a company you trust to maintain the highest quality.
If you want to know which essential oils I prefer to use, please contact me by email or phone.
Email: PamsAgelessOils@gmail.com
Location: Chicago area
Phone: 847.475.4170