About Cedarwood Essential Oil | Varieties, Benefits and Risks

As someone who loves to experiment with DIY skincare, discovering the benefits of Cedarwood oil was really happy moment. I love to make DIY deodorants or mix is with coconut and use it as natural skin moisturizer.

Cedarwood Essential Oil comes from different types of cedar trees like the Atlas, Himalayan, Texas, and Virginian. Oil offers various benefits including stress reduction and other skin benefits. Different varieties of cedarwood oil, such as Atlas, Himalayan, and Texas, have unique properties and uses, which I am going to explain later on.

What Makes Cedarwood Essential Oil Special?

Cedarwood essential oil is made from parts of cedar trees by using steam. This process, called steam distillation, heats the tree parts until the fragrant compounds turn into vapor. The vapor is then collected and condensed back into a liquid form, resulting in pure cedarwood oil.

Steam distillation is effective because it separates the oil without affecting its natural state so the oil keeps its natural smell and benefits. This is why cedarwood oil is commonly used in aromatherapy, skincare products, perfumes, deodorants, candles, and even insect repellents, much like Cypress Essential Oil.

Different Varieties & their benefits

Cedarwood essential oil comes in various types, each with distinct characteristics and benefits. This essential oil family is renowned for its therapeutic properties, cosmetic applications, and natural pest repellency capabilities.

Each variety is suitable for specific uses, ranging from hair growth and skin care to pain relief and anxiety reduction, much like Pine Essential Oil.

Cedarwood essential oil Atlas

Atlas Cedarwood essential oil comes from the Atlas Cedar tree, mostly found in Moroccan Atlas mountains. This oil has a unique smell and health benefits because it’s rich in sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenolsSesquiterpenols are a type of chemical made up of 15 carbon atoms. They are formed from three smaller units and come in a variety of... .

People in general love it because of its warm, woody smell that can make you feel calm and relaxed, similar to Sandalwood Essential Oil. In my opinion, it’s one of the best smells for meditation because it helps you focus and become more aware of your surroundings.

This oil is great for both skin and hair. It helps make skin healthier and moisturizes well, and it’s also effective for skin issues like acne and eczema by reducing inflammation. For hair, it promotes growth and combats dandruff, often being added to shampoos and conditioners.

NOTE: When using Cedarwood oil, always dilute it with another oil to prevent skin irritation. I recommend coconut oil, where you would add 2 drops of essential oil for each teaspoon.

Cedarwood essential oil Himalayan

Cedarwood essential oil Himalayan is known for its dry, woody, warm, and balsamic aroma that is versatile and beneficial. It is derived from the wood of the Himalayan cedar tree (‘Cedrus deodara’).

Oil ,similar to Atlas variety, helps fight skin infections, reduces acne, and soothes damaged skin. Additionally, its strong aroma is effective in repelling ants, ticks, and moths, making it a natural choice for pest control. The oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve arthritic pain and discomfort when applied topically, reducing joint inflammation and stiffness.

Cedarwood essential oil Texas

If we talk about the benefits of Texas Cedarwood essential oil, you’ll find it really good for your hair and skin. This oil is taken from a tree called Juniperus Mexicana, which is found in the southwest part of the US. The tree has certain chemicals in it that give the oil these helpful qualities.

When it comes to hair, Texas Cedarwood oil is known to help with hair growth and getting rid of dandruff. It helps blood flow better in your scalp, which can feed your hair roots and may help prevent hair loss. If you add it to your shampoo or conditioner, you will get a nice, comforting smell as well.

The oil can soothe skin that’s irritated or red from acne, eczema, or dermatitis. If you mix it with a cocunot oil, you can put it directly on the problem areas of your skin.

Cedarwood essential oil Virginian

Virginian cedarwood essential oil is derived from the wood of the Eastern Red Cedar Tree (Juniperus virginiana). It is a popular and versatile oil with a calming, woody aroma.

It is known for its benefits in repelling insects and providing relief from pain and inflammation, making it useful for skin irritation and those seeking natural alternatives to conventional medications.

Virginian cedarwood essential oil similar to Texas variety also improves hair growth and can be used in aromatherapy massage for relaxation.

Cedar Essential oil Japanesse

Japanese cedar wood essential oil, derived from the wood of the Cryptomeria japonica tree, has a distinct woody aroma known for its calming properties. It has been widely used in traditional therapies in Japan for relaxation, helping reduce stress, and enhancing mental wellbeing.

Research shows that the volatile compounds present in the oil positively impact several endocrine regulatory mechanisms and influence the autonomic nervous system. Studies have demonstrated that this essential oil can facilitate stress responses and improve mental health by:

1. Redressing Stress: lowers salivary stress markers, such as DHEA-s levels, after exposure.
2. Enhancing Mental Clarity: Though it does not directly impact work performance, the calming properties of this oil can contribute to better concentration and reduced anxiety in work environments.
3. Increasing Immunity: The increase in salivary DHEA-s levels induced by the oil can activate immune functions and provide neuroprotection.

The unique psychophysiological effects of Japanese cedar wood essential oil can be realy valuable to those seeking to improve mental health and reduce work-related stress.

10 Health & Psychological Benefits of Cedarwood Oil

Essential oils, especially cedarwood, have received substantial research interest in dermatology. This interest comes from their potential to combat skin infections, which are a major global concern.

Recent studies have explored the antimicrobial properties of commercial essential oils, highlighting their potential therapeutic applications.

1. Improves skin condition

It’s been studied by scientists and found that it can improve the appearance and feel of your skin. It’s helpful for soothing irritated skin and giving it a younger, fresher look.

Here’s what cedarwood essential oil can do for your skin:

• ease red and irritated skin.
• keep wounds clean and help them heal faster.
• Using it regularly can help control oily skin and reduce acne.
• It can help your skin look firmer and younger.
• known as natural skin moisturizer, keeping your skin soft and well-hydrated.

NOTE: Always mix it with another oil before you put it on your skin, and test a small area first to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction.

2. Eases breathing

Cedarwood oil is well-known for helping with skin problems, but it can also make breathing easier, which is great for people with lung problems. It has a calming smell and can help improve lung health.

Studies show that breathing in cedarwood oil (Japanesse variety ) can help clear your lungs, making it easier to breathe if you’re feeling stuffed up or uncomfortable. It can also help stop spasms in your lungs, which can make breathing easier. If you use cedarwood oil in aromatherapy, it can help cut down on lung problems, making you feel more relaxed and free.

But it’s important to remember that while cedarwood oil can help with lung problems, it’s not a replacement for medicine your doctor has given you or for medical advice.

3. Reduces stress

Cedrol, a key component in cedarwood essential oil, helps reduce anxiety when inhaled, which aids in reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation. This can greatly improve your quality of life by fostering emotional balance and restoring equilibrium.

Some key points about the therapeutic benefits of cedarwood essential oil include:

1. Calming Properties: Cedrol helps soothe anxiety and tension, promoting peace.
2. Relaxation and Sleep: Inhaling cedarwood oil can relax you, leading to better sleep quality and duration.
3. Aromatic Comfort: The comforting aroma provides quick emotional relief, alleviating stress and anxiety.

4. Improves sleep

Cedarwood essential oil helps improve sleep quality by reducing stress and increasing serotonin production, and promoting relaxation.

In people with dementia, this oil has been shown to increase total sleep time and help them stay asleep longer. It also helps reduce early morning wakefulness and improves sleep overall.

Using cedarwood oil through aromatherapy can benefit those struggling with sleep. It works by affecting the brain directly and helping to regulate sleep patterns.

Consistently using this oil can lead to noticeable sleep improvements, making it a valuable natural solution for many people.

5. Promote hair growth

Cedarwood essential oil can help your hair grow. It works by making the blood flow better to your scalp, which helps your hair grow. This oil can also make your hair less thin.

Here are some reasons why cedarwood essential oil is good for your hair:

• The oil makes the blood flow better to your scalp, which helps your hair grow.
• It balances out the oil in your scalp, which can help with dandruff.
• It makes your hair stronger and stops it from breaking.
• It can fight off fungus and bacteria that cause dandruff or hair loss.
• It makes your hair shiny

Two ways on how to Incorporating into your Hair Care routine:

• Mix cedarwood essential oil with a carrier oil such as coconut and massage it into the scalp.
• Add a few drops of cedarwood oil to your shampoo and conditioner to utilize its antifungal and antibacterial properties.

6. Prevents infections

Cedarwood can fight off a wide range of bacteria and yeasts. The oil contains certain important elements like sesquiterpenes, cedrol, and terpenic compounds. These elements work together to fight harmful germs and have a range of antimicrobial properties.

On top of that, cedarwood essential oil is a strong antioxidant, meaning it can fight off damaging free radicals. This is important because free radicals can cause harm to your cells and tissues. So, the oil not only helps prevent infections but also helps to keep you healthy overall.

7. Soothes spasms

It can really help people who have issues like muscle cramps, restlessness, and spasms in their respiratory system. This oil can help relax both your body and mind, making you feel free from issues caused by spasms.

8. Acts as a diuretic

Cedarwood essential oil works like a water pill. It helps your body get rid of extra water and harmful toxins, which is good for your urinary system and overall health. The oil’s woodsy smell can also boost urine production when used in aromatherapy. This process, called diuresis, helps your body get rid of harmful stuff and keeps your body’s insides working well.

The water pill-like properties of cedarwood essential oil can also affect blood pressure. By boosting urine production, the oil might lower the amount of fluids in your body, which could help lower blood pressure.

NOTE: This shouldn’t replace normal treatment for high blood pressure. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new treatment.

9. Repels insects

Cedarwood essential oil repels a variety of insects, including ants and ticks, making it a natural alternative for insect control. The antioinsect activity of cedar essential oil has been extensively studied, showing significant effects against mosquitoes and other pests.

Cedarwood oil is registered with the EPA as a pesticide for controlling moths. Research has shown that it repels ticks effectively, including the Lone Star Tick and Black-Legged Tick. Additionally, it can boost the effectiveness of insect repellents, ensuring reliable protection against biting insects.

10.Fights fungal infections

Last but not least, it’s also really good at fighting off skin infections caused by fungus. These kinds of infections are often the reason why people go to the doctor. Due to some bugs becoming resistant to medicines, treating these infections can be tough.

Studies have shown that cedarwood oil can fight off many types of fungus, making it a powerful tool against skin infections. The oil works by messing up the cell walls and inside parts of the microbes, stopping them from working properly. This halts their growth and stops them from spreading.

Here’s a simple table showing how cedarwood oil fights fungus:

How it Fights Fungus	What it Means	Why it’s Good
Kills microbes	Works against many types of fungus	Can be used to treat skin infections naturally
Targets cell walls and insides	Mess up the microbes’ workings	Stops fungus from growing and spreading
Minimum needed to work (MIC)	Found using a method of dilution	Helps figure out how much is needed
Change in MIC values	Depends on the type of fungus and oil makeup	Lets treatment be tailored to the patient
Fungus can’t resist it	Fungus don’t become resistant to cedarwood oil	Keeps working in the long run

How do you use cedarwood oil propery?

If you want to use cedarwood oil the right way, it’s important to know how to use it and to be aware of any risks. This oil can help with many things but, it can also cause problems if you’re not careful when using it.

Here are five simple ways to use cedarwood oil:

• On Your Skin: Mix a few drops of cedarwood oil with a carrier oil like coconut or joaboa oil. You can use this mix on your skin to help clear up acne, to reduce inflammation, or to relieve arthritis. If you want to promote hair growth, massage it into your scalp.
• Breathing it in: If you want to feel less stressed or have a cough, use cedarwood essential oil in a diffuser. The calming smell can help create a relaxing atmosphere.
• In Beauty Products: You can add cedarwood oil to your regular shampoo, conditioner, or skincare products to make them even better.
• Around the House: Cedarwood oil can be a natural deodorizer or bug repellent.