What cedarwood oil is and what it is used for

For many of you today's topic may not seem as interesting as the ones of late, because it is not about wood processing or wood treatment. But the subject is not only interesting, it is also very useful. About cedarwood oil, or cedarwood oil as it is also called, I knew some fairly general things - it's an essential oil, it smells nice, it's used in medicine and pharmacy - but a reader's suggestion prompted me to find out more about it.

Cedar oil has been known since the Sumerians and Egyptians. It is also much mentioned in the Bible, which speaks of its healing virtues. The Egyptians used it for embalming, because it removed insects and other such creatures, leaving corpses intact. The Sumerians used it as a base for various dyes.

The oil is a really special one with a lot of qualities. It has antiseptic, antiseborrheic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic properties, it is a good tonic but also a good sedative, it can be used as an insect repellent, an anti-inflammatory or expectorant. Lately it has been used with good results in cancer and tumor treatment research.

Oil is not made from just one type of cedar, and its qualities differ depending on the wood used. Under the same name - cedarwood oil - you can find oil extracted from both cedar and juniper varieties. Cedrus Atlantica (African cedar, Moroccan cedar or Mediterranean cedar, as it is also known) and Cedrus Deodora (Himalayan cedar) have been used since ancient times for oil used in medicine and cosmetics. These oils have remarkable therapeutic properties and are very pure because they are made from wood that grows at high altitudes in very clean areas.

The varieties of juniper used for oil are Juniperus Funebris (Chinese juniper), Procera (African), Virginiana (from Virginia, USA) and Ashei (from Texas). These oils are used to make soaps, room air fresheners, cleaning and household solutions, furniture fresheners, moth repellents, etc.

Virginia juniper is also known as aromatic red cedar. It is used to make wardrobes and chests because the oil gives it a very pleasant smell and keeps moths at bay.

Also due to the presence of oil, the wood is used to make coffins or funeral urns. Its high resistance to insect attack makes it very suitable for use directly on the ground, for decking or fences.

Oil is extracted from red cedar to freshen cedar furniture, but especially its odor, thus keeping moths away. A very good way to fight moths is to put pieces of wood soaked in cedar oil in cupboards. The method is guaranteed.

The oil is obtained by distilling pieces of cedar wood, roots, twigs and even needles, mixed with water. The result is a very pure oil, with a silvery-yellow color. It must be very pure to be used for medical or cosmetic purposes. When buying it, try not to buy the cheapest. Some manufacturers mix it with vegetable oils to make it more affordable. You can check if it is a good quality oil by putting a drop of oil on absorbent paper. If no residue remains after evaporation, it is a quality oil. If there is a residue, the oil has been mixed with vegetable oils.

The most popular uses of cedar oil are:

• treating eczema and dermatitis,
• treating hair loss and dandruff,
• to treat colds, to clear the airways, as an expectorant and to treat lung infections,
• anti-inflammatory and in treating arthritis,
• in aromatherapy to relieve stress,
• to make soaps and room fresheners,
• to produce solutions for insect repellents, insecticides and fungicides,
• in perfumery,
• in getting home maintenance solutions.

As you can see this oil is a real wonder. You can find it here and it is good to have it in your home. But don't forget that there are several types of oil and if you want to use it for its therapeutic properties, look for Himalayan or African. Quality oils always have the type of cedar on the bottle.