Profile: Cedarwood Essential Oils

One of my favorite scents is cedar.  Specifically, Texas cedarwood takes me back to my childhood in Texas when I would wander through the outdoors.  Texas cedarwood (Juniperus mexicana), as you can tell from its scientific name, is not a true cedar but comes from the juniper genus and Cupressaceae (cypress) plant family.  Virginia cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) is also a member of the juniper group of conifers.  Both of these essential oils have similar smells and similar health benefits.  They both contain a high amount of cedrol which is a constituent known for its relaxing, antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.  A new study reveals that cedrol also has skin benefits for restoring fibroblast growth which increases the formation of connective tissue and produces collagen proteins which rebuild skin firmness and elasticity. In shopping for these two oils, check their GC/MS report to see what amount of cedrol they contain. Look for oils that contain at least 20% cedrol (Contact me if you need help finding suppliers). Texas and Virginia cedarwood essential oils are good for scalp problems, respiratory infections and as an insect repellant.  They are thin, aromatic oils with a profound scent of cedar and are clear, though sometimes Virginia cedarwood can be amber in color.  Both are grown in the US.

Himalayan cedarwood (Cedrus deodara) is from Nepal.  Atlas cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) is native to the mountains of Algeria and is now cultivated in Morocco.  These are true cedars from the Pinaceae family.  In aromatherapy, these two essential oils are used in skin care, relaxation, meditation, and bronchial, and urinary infections.  They have a slightly sweeter aroma than the juniper cedars.  They are thin, clear liquids. 

All cedarwood essential oils are distilled from the wood.

Please note that Atlas cedarwood is on the IUCN red list and is endangered.  When shopping for this essential oil, be sure to buy it from suppliers who ethically source it, or you use another species of cedarwood oil mentioned above.  None of the other three cedarwood species touched on in this article are endangered.