Cedarwood (Cedrus atlas / virginiana / deodara) essential oils benefits
Cedarwood atlas is a wonderfully calming and grounding oil that helps with anxiety, tension. it is also very useful with combination skin, acne as a deodorant. Cedarwood Atlas, which grows mainly on the Atlantic side of Moroccan mountains is grounding, strengthening, warming and comforting. This oil has been in use for at least 3,000 years. It supports a relaxed state of mind and body and promotes inner healing. It is largely used for skin and hair care, especially for teenagers thanks to its astringent and antiseptic properties. Its spicy and smoky aroma is generally very welcomed by men.
Cedarwood virginiana or Red Cedarwood is a typical North America alpine tree and shares a very similar profile with Cedarwood atlas, which grows mainly on the Atlantic side of Moroccan mountains. However, the virginiana type belongs to the Cupressacee family and has a more dry-balsamic aroma, while the atlas type belongs to the Pinaceae family has a slightly more camphorous-dry sweet aroma. Cedarwood deodara is very similar to the atlas type, growns on the Himalayas and has a more woody-sweet aroma.
Cedarwood deodara is grounding, strengthening, warming and comforting. This oil has been in use for at least 3,000 years. It supports a relaxed state of mind and body and promotes inner healing. It is largely used for skin and hair care, especially for teenagers thanks to its astringent and antiseptic properties. Its spicy and smoky aroma is generally very welcomed by men.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in the past few years Cedrus atlas and Cedrus deodara have been over harvested and are now considered 'vulnerable' plant species. We suggest to consider using Cedarwood virginiana as sustainable alternative.
| CEDRUS ATLAS | CEDRUS VIRGINIANA | CEDRUS DEODARA | |
| origin | Morocco | North America | Nepal |
| sustainability | vulnerable | sustainable | vulnerable |
| colour | Pale yellow / orange | Pale yellow / orange | Pale yellow / orange |
| aroma | woody, balsamic | woody, smoky | woody, spicy |
| aroma strength | 3-4 | 4 | 3-4 |
GENERAL INFORMATION
Botanical Name: Cedrus atlantica – Cedrus virginiana – Cedrus deodara
Origin: Morocco (Cedrus atlas), North America (Cedrus virginiana), India and Nepal (Cedrus deodora)
Method of Extraction: Steam distillation from the wood chips
Color: Pale yellow to light orange
Aroma: woody, camphoraceous, dry sweet
Note: base
Blends well with: Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Chamomiles, Clary sage, Cypress, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Palmarosa, Petitgrain, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ylang ylang
Therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, aphrodisiac, balancing, astringent. diuretic, sedative, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, mucolytic.
HOW TO USE
To calm nerves, promote sleep burn 2-5 drops every 5 hours.
Dilute 2-5 drops max every 5 ml of a carrier for a relaxing, calm, and sleep-inducing massage.
For a relaxing bath add 3-5 drops in warm water (best if in synergy with other oils) or as a hot compress for muscle pain and nerve tension.
Add 1 to 2% to a cream base to control young, blemished skin, acne, and oily skin
To protect feet from fungal infections have a weekly foot bath adding 5-6 drops of Cedarwood. Very suitable to maintain healthy feet of diabetics, especially when combined with Tea Tree and Lemon.
