Cedarwood Essence

Description

CEDARWOOD (Cedrus atlantica Manetti)

Family: Pinaceae (conifer)

Source: The Essential oil is obtained from the Wood.

Fragrance:: Turpentine-like, sweet, similar to sandalwood.

Volatility: Base note.

General description and habitat:

A hardy, long-living evergreen conifer; native of Atlas Mountains of Morocco; the needles form in bunches; yellow male flowers in early summer followed by females; cones have life of up to two years; wood is balsamic, reddish brown in color.

Principal constituents: Terpenic hydrocarbons, cedrol, sesquiterpenes.

History

History and folk use:

Frequently mentioned in the Bible, representing fertility and abundance. King Solomon was said to have built his temple from cedar from Lebanon. Used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming. Subsequently mentioned by Dioscorides and Galen in the first and second centuries as preventing putrefaction. Recognized in the seventeenth century as a urinary and pulmonary antiseptic.

Properties & Uses

General properties: antiseptic, balancing, detoxifying, sedative, stimulant, tonic.

Primary Uses:

Dandruff	Eczema
Genito-urinary inflammations	Sexual stimulant
Skin eruptions

Secondary Uses:

Acne,	Alopecia,
Anxiety,	Arthritis,
Astringent,	Blood Purifier,
Bronchitis,	Catarrh,
Colds,	Coughs,
Cystitis,	Dermatitis,
Diuretic,	'Flu,
Gonorrhea,	Gout,
Hysteria,	Insomnia,
Inflamed Kidneys,	Insect Repellent,
Irritable Skin,	Kidney Tonic,
Laryngitis,	Leukorrhoea,
Lymphatic Congestion,	Oily Skin,
Panic,	PMS,
Psoriasis,	Shock,
Stress,	Sore Throat,
Thrush,	Urinary Tract Infections,
Water retention.

Contraindications

Never take internally. It is not approved by the FDA for internal consumption.

Beware adulteration and ‘cedarwood’ from other sources than Morocco. May cause irritation so use in low concentrations.

Not to be used in pregnancy or in conjunction with chemotherapy when treating cancer.