What cedarwood oil is and what it is used for

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

Cedar oil has been known since ancient times, since the Sumerians and Egyptians. It is also mentioned extensively in the Bible, where its healing virtues are mentioned. The Egyptians used it for embalming, because it removed insects and other such vermin, leaving corpses intact. The Sumerians used it as a base for various dyes.

The oil is a really special one with lots 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 insectofungicide, anti-inflammatory or expectorant. Lately it has been used with good results in research on the treatment of cancer and tumours.

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 from both cedar and juniper varieties. The varieties used since ancient times for oil used in medicine and cosmetics are Cedrus Atlantica (African cedar, Moroccan cedar or Mediterranean cedar, as it is also known) and Cedrus Deodora (Himalayan cedar). These oils have remarkable therapeutic properties and are very pure because they use wood that grows high up in very clean areas.

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

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

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.

The red cedar is used to extract the oil used to freshen cedar furniture, but especially its smell, keeping moths at bay. A very good way of fighting 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. A very pure oil is obtained, with a silvery yellow colour. To be used for medical or cosmetic purposes it must be very pure. When buying it try not to get the cheapest one. To make it more affordable, some manufacturers blend it with vegetable oils. You can check if it is a quality oil by putting a drop of oil on a paper towel. If no residue remains after evaporation, it is a quality oil. If residues appear, 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 unclog the airways, as an expectorant and in treating lung infections,
• anti-inflammatory and in the treatment of arthritis,
• in aromatherapy for stress relief,
• in the production of soaps and room fresheners,
• in the production of insect removal solutions, insecticides and fungicides,
• in perfumery,
• in obtaining home maintenance solutions.

As you can see this oil is a real miracle. It is also available 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 oil. Quality oils always have it written on the bottle what type of cedar it is made from.